SP President Akhilesh Yadav promises loan waivers and 24-hour sugarcane payments if SP returns to UP government

Challenging the government, Yadav asked, 'If smart cities can be built, why not smart villages?' and said an SP government would pursue this direction.

He emphasised organic farming, stating efforts would be made to reduce chemical fertiliser use and to connect farmers with laboratories and research centres for better seeds.

Yadav expressed concern over possible imports of agricultural products following trade deals with the United States, saying it could adversely affect domestic farmers.

He said the burden of loans on farmers is increasing, and that fertiliser, seeds, and diesel have become expensive, making farming unviable.

Yadav asserted that farmer facilities in Lucknow were repurposed, with cafes at farmer markets and housing for farmers handed over for commercial use.

He alleged that benefits extended to farmers during the SP regime had been withdrawn by the current government, and claimed mandis along expressways were being developed but the pace of development had stalled and farmer markets were not being built.

Yadav proposed a ₹15,000 crore fund to ensure farmers do not have to wait for payments, and said money would be transferred directly into farmers' accounts as soon as they receive the payment slip, with the government recovering dues from industrialists.

He said loan waivers would be implemented through legislation, along with crop insurance, free irrigation, and an assured minimum support price for farmers.

Akhilesh Yadav stated that if the Samajwadi Party forms the Uttar Pradesh government in 2027, sugarcane farmers will receive payments for their produce within 24 hours.