Lucknow, Nov 15 (Reporter) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday said that significant efforts have been made across the country to free farmers from the burden of high-interest loans and guide them toward self-reliance in the past decade. During the inauguration of the Krishi Bharat 2024 programme, the CM said, "However, there is still room for improvement." The four-day agricultural and technology event, taking place at Vrindavan Yojana Ground, highlights the importance of integrating agriculture with entrepreneurship and employing modern technology to increase farmers' income. Yogi said, "Our focus should be on advancing the agricultural sector with enhanced technology. Given the diverse agro-climatic zones within the country, each state brings unique experiences and regions have shown remarkable progress, even under challenging circumstances worldwide. By sharing best practices, we can learn much from one another." The Krishi Bharat Exhibition spans 20,000 square meters, showcasing innovations and sustainable developments in agriculture. Featuring over 250 exhibitors, the event is expected to attract more than 1 lakh farmers and visitors. The exhibition highlights advancements in agriculture, dairy, food processing equipment, and other agri-services and technologies. Organised by the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), Krishi Bharat serves as a state and national pavilion, presenting world-class agricultural innovations. While inaugurating the four-day Krishi Bharat event, the CM extended his congratulations to the people of UP on the 555th Prakash Parv of Shri Guru Nanak Dev, Kartik Purnima, and the 150th birth anniversary of Dharti Aaba, Bhagwan Birsa Munda, a symbol of tribal pride. Expressing gratitude to the CII, Yogi acknowledged its efforts in organising Agro-tech in India since 2000. "For the first time, this event is being held in UP, moving beyond its traditional location in Chandigarh, a milestone of great significance," he said. Partnering with the CII for this event, the Netherlands is the official country partner, while nations like Australia, Canada, Uganda, Spain, and the UK along with agricultural experts and stakeholders, are also participating. Yogi emphasized UP's vital role in Indian agriculture and said that while the state accounts for 17 percent of India’s population (25 crore people) and only 11 percent of the country’s cultivable land, it contributes 20 percent of the nation’s total agricultural output. "This achievement reflects the state’s abundant water resources and fertile land," he said. Highlighting the untapped potential, he said that with the integration of digital agriculture and advanced technologies, agricultural productivity could increase by three to four times. The CM emphasised the need to reduce agricultural costs, adopt modern technology and minimise reliance on chemical fertilizers by utilising natural resources. He highlighted the importance of raising farmer awareness, ensuring market access for quality seeds, and connecting agriculture with entrepreneurship to drive transformative changes in the sector. He said, "Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, significant steps have been taken to benefit farmers. Initiatives like soil testing, agricultural insurance, enhanced irrigation, and the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, which benefits 12 crore farmers across the country, are paving the way for progress," he said. He expressed satisfaction over discussions with the Netherlands Ambassador during her recent visit to UP, which led to the signing of two key Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between the state and the Netherlands. "These agreements, including Government-to-Government and Business-to-Business collaborations, mark a significant step forward in agricultural innovation and cooperation," he said...////...