Agri Junction Scheme (officially Trained Agricultural Entrepreneur Swavalamban Agri Junction Scheme) in Uttar Pradesh is an entrepreneurship programme that empowers agriculture graduates and allied subject postgraduates to set up one-stop Krishi Kendra (Agri Junction) centres in rural areas. Launched in 2022-23 with a target of establishing 10,000 centres by 2027, these centres function as village-level hubs providing quality seeds, fertilisers, pesticides, organic inputs, soil testing, technical advice, small equipment on rent, and guidance on government schemes.The scheme offers financial incentives like up to Rs 60,000 subsidy on a Rs 5 lakh loan, one-year rent support (up to Rs 1,000/month), free business licences, and mandatory training, aiming to create self-employment for educated rural youth while ensuring timely, quality inputs and expert services for farmers.Since 2017, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has steadily built this initiative as part of his nine-year Kisan Kalyan vision to modernise agriculture, reduce input costs, and bridge the gap between farmers and scientific knowledge.Under his leadership, several agri junctions have been set up and there are plans for hundreds more annually, directly linking agri-graduates with rural economies. This forms a crucial part of broader reforms—including natural farming expansion, Kisan Pathshalas, and productivity drives—that have helped raise UP’s agricultural growth rate significantly, empowered youth, strengthened last-mile delivery of services, and moved towards making farming more profitable and sustainable across all 75 districts.Salient features of the scheme1) Eligibility criteria
- The applicant must be a permanent resident of Uttar Pradesh and hold a B. Sc. Agriculture degree, Agriculture Diploma, or Graduation/Post-Graduation in agriculture and allied subjects (Horticulture, Dairy, Veterinary, etc.) from a university recognised by ICAR/UGC.
- Age limit: Maximum 40 years (with 5 years relaxation for SC/ST and women candidates).
- The candidate should be unemployed and willing to run the Agri Junction centre for a minimum of 3 years (affidavit required). Preference is often given to local youth.
2. Key benefits
- Financial support: Bank loan up to Rs 5 lakh with government subsidy of up to Rs 60,000 (interest/rent support).
- One-year rent subsidy (up to Rs 1,000 per month) + free business licences for seed, fertiliser, and pesticide shops.
- Free training, technical support, and branding as a government-supported Krishi Kendra providing one-stop services to farmers (inputs, soil testing, advice, equipment rental).
3. How to apply
- Online Application: Visit the official website https://agriculture.up.gov.in/Agrijunction, register, fill the application form with personal, educational, and bank details, and upload required documents.
- Documents Required: Aadhaar Card, Residence Certificate, Educational Certificates/Degree, Passport-size photo, Mobile number, Email ID, and Bank account details.
- Applications can also be submitted offline through the District Agriculture Office or Deputy Director (Agriculture). Selection is done through a district-level process followed by training and bank loan linkage.
Two major achievements of Agri Junction Scheme· Rapid Expansion of Village-Level Agri Service Centres
- Over 6,608 Agri Junctions (Krishi Kendras) have been established across the state as of early 2025, functioning as one-stop shops for quality seeds, fertilisers, pesticides, soil testing, technical advice, and farm equipment rental.
- This massive rollout has significantly improved last-mile delivery of inputs and services to farmers, especially in rural and block-level areas, reducing dependency on distant markets and middlemen.
· Youth Employment and Agri-EntrepreneurshipThe scheme has created self-employment opportunities for thousands of agriculture graduates and allied subject youth by providing subsidised loans (up to Rs 5 lakh with Rs 60,000 subsidy), training, rent support, and licences.