Lucknow, Oct. 8 -- Uttar Pradesh has set a target of increasing rabi foodgrain production by 30 lakh metric tonnes to 510 lakh MT this year, agriculture minister Surya Pratap Shahi said at the state-level Rabi Productivity Conference-2026 here on Wednesday. Shahi said the state would distribute 50 lakh free mini-kits of pulses and oilseeds and provide subsidies worth Rs 600 crore on seeds and nearly Rs 350 crore on farm machinery. For the first time, a 75% subsidy will be provided on the purchase of gram and pea seeds, while 4.68 lakh free mustard mini-kits will also be distributed. He directed officials to curb inter-state smuggling of subsidised seeds and fertilisers and improve the agriculture department's online portal. The minister said agricultural growth in the state had risen from 8% to 18% under the present government. Cooperation minister JPS Rathore said 54 lakh new farmers had been linked to revived cooperative banks and could avail themselves of KCC loans of up to Rs 3 lakh at 3% interest. The cash-credit limit of Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS) has also been raised from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 15 lakh. Officials said adequate stocks of 15.50 lakh MT urea and 6.25 lakh MT DAP had been ensured for the rabi season. The conference also focused on climate-resilient farming, zero tillage, crop-residue management and improved oilseed varieties....