Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath greets World Bank President Ajay Banga in Lucknow on Friday, May 9, 2025.
| Photo Credit: X@CMOfficeUP

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday (May 9, 2025) met World Bank President Ajay Banga in Lucknow and launched two initiatives ‘UP AGREES’ and ‘AI Pragya’ related to agricultural innovation and digital transformation in the Sate.

Expressing gratitude for the World Bank’s continuous support, Mr. Adityanath praised the role of the international organisation in helping Uttar Pradesh to move closer to its vision of becoming a $1 trillion economy. “The entire world sees Uttar Pradesh not as a barrier, but as the growth engine of India. I express my gratitude to the World Bank for its participation in the UP-AGREES project, it will help will farmers in a big way and significantly enhance agricultural output in the state,” said Mr. Adityanath, addressing the meeting at his official residence. 

The event marked the launch of two programs supported by the World Bank with the UP AGREES initiative pushes for revolutionising agriculture in 28 districts of Bundelkhand and Purvanchal regions, enhancing productivity and promoting advanced, technology-based farming. Similarly, the AI Pragya aims to build a robust Artificial Intelligence (AI) talent base by training 10 lakh youth across Uttar Pradesh, equipping them with the digital skills necessary to thrive in emerging technology sectors.

The project will be implemented in districts of Basti, Maharajganj, Ballia, Ghazipur, Varanasi, Chandauli, Mirzapur, Sonbhadra, and Sant Ravidas Nagar, Sant Kabir Nagar, Kushinagar, Shravasti, Bahraich, Balrampur, Gonda, Siddharthnagar, Gorakhpur, Deoria, Azamgarh, Mau, Jaunpur, Banda, Lalitpur, Jalaun, Jhansi, Hamirpur, Mahoba and Chitrakoot. 

“AI Pragya will not only unlock new job avenues for youth but also enhance technological efficiency in core sectors such as government services, farming, education, and healthcare,” said Mr. Adityanath.