Tractors, which indicate growing farm prosperity and rural incomes, have shown a marked jump in its ownership pattern in Uttar Pradesh.
In the last eight years, the tractor ownership in UP has increased by over 62% from 88,000 tractors in 2016–17 to 142,200 in the financial year 2024–25.
The growing number of tractors in UP has become a symbol of changing times and rising happiness among farmers, a senior official said.
As tractors replace traditional cultivation methods, UP farmers are embracing modern agriculture with renewed confidence and pride, he added.
UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath has repeatedly emphasised that the interests of farmers are a top priority for his government.
Highlighting the state’s vast agricultural potential — from nine agro-climatic zones and fertile Indo-Gangetic belt to abundant water resources and a massive labor force — he envisions UP as the ‘food basket of the country’.
To combine traditional farming knowledge with modern agricultural science, the UP government is raising awareness through Krishi Vigyan Kendras and the Million Farmers’ School program.
These platforms are not only educating farmers but also encouraging them to adopt new and innovative farming practices.
Several long-pending irrigation projects like the Bansagar project, National Saryu Canal Project, and Arjun Sahayak Project have been completed, increasing irrigation capacity.
Transparent procurement systems for wheat and paddy at Minimum Support Price (MSP), timely payments, and the inclusion of more crops— especially millets — under MSP have further strengthened the agricultural system.
Additionally, for nearly 5 million sugarcane farmers, timely payments, modernisation of sugar mills, establishment of new mills, extension of the crushing season, effective implementation of the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, and the timely availability of seeds and fertilisers have all contributed to higher farm incomes.
As a result, the state has seen record growth in crop production, particularly in pulses and oilseeds.
This rising income has led to a significant increase in tractor purchases.
Interestingly, tractors are no longer used only for ploughing, but play a key role in leveling land, spraying fertilisers and pesticides using power sprayers, making bunds, sowing seeds using seed drills, planting and digging potatoes and managing crop residues.
Notably, the government provides nearly 50% subsidy on all farming equipment operated through tractors.
These tools help reduce labor costs and make farming tasks like land preparation, sowing, harvesting, and threshing much easier and efficient.
On a national level too, tractor sales are following a similar trend.
Per available data, the current financial year 2025-26 is expected to witness a record-breaking sale of a million tractors,marking the highest ever annual tractor sales in India.
Previously, the record was set in FY 2023 with 939,713 tractors sold. In FY 2024, this number was 867,597.
Market experts believe that a strong rabi crop output, a positive monsoon forecast for Kharif and better yields will likely help achieve this tractor sales milestone.