Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Monday espoused the need to introduce e-auction and e-trading platforms in the state agricultural mandis (markets).

He has asked officials to implement a pilot project in the Sultanpur Mandi Samiti and effecting the necessary amendments in the by-laws.

Though Uttar Pradesh ranks among the top agricultural and horticultural producing states in India, lack of proper infrastructure of warehouses, swift transportation, packaging, branding and marketing support impede harnessing full potential of post-harvest income by farmers.

During the current 12th Five-Year Plan (2012-17), the state is targeting agricultural growth rate of 5.1 per cent.

Yadav was chairing the 149th Board meeting of the Uttar Pradesh Mandi Parishad here. Stressing upon agricultural exports to augment farm income, he said top performing farmers and institutions should be felicitated, so that more and more farmers could be encouraged to export their produce. He underlined the need for promoting organic farming and strengthening the institutional framework for its certification.

During 2014-15, Uttar Pradesh registered export of over 2,576 tonnes of potato, 170 tonnes of mango and 52 of tonnes vegetables. The chief minister wished to further increase the export figures.

According to a recent study by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India, the state had, in fact, clocked deceleration in agriculture and allied activities with a slower compounded annual growth rate of 2.6 per cent, compared with 4.7 per cent nationally.

Uttar Pradesh accounts for the largest food grains production (19 per cent share in 2013-14), largest sugarcane production (39 per cent share in 2013-14) and is the third largest horticulture producer (10 per cent share) in the country.

The Chamber said the state needed corrective measures to revive agriculture, as it is an agrarian economy and held tremendous potential.

Kisan Bazaars have been proposed to be set up in Kannauj, Jhansi, Lucknow and Etawah, among others, with the budgetary support of Rs 100 crore. A specialised Mandi Yard is also being set up in Bundelkhand and its construction quality would be verified by a third party to ensure standardisation.

The mango pack houses at Rehmankheda (Lucknow) and Saharanpur are being upgraded for export of vegetables and fruit in their respective catchments.