The state is the largest producer of foodgrains particularly wheat, sugarcane, pulses and potatoes in the country. About one-third of wheat produced in the country in 2001-02 came from Uttar Pradesh, and almost half of the total sugarcane growing area in India during 2001-02 was in Uttar Pradesh.
The state has diversified and naturally developed industrial activities. The spectrum of industrial activity in Uttar Pradesh covers the following-
Food products and beverages, sugar and sugar-related products, tobacco products, chemicals and chemical products, metal, rubber and plastic products, metal fabrication work including motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers, textiles, wearing apparels, communication equipment, transport equipment, electrical machinery and apparatus, furniture, non-metallic mineral products, publishing, printing and media, paper and paper products, glass ware and leather related products.
Other major industries are: vegetable and animal oils and fats, dairy products, grain mill products, animal feed, carpets and rugs.
There are many export-oriented items made across Uttar Pradesh such as software, electronics, computer hardware, chemicals, stone products, brass work, betel leaves, potato based products, hand printing, leather items, cotton yarn, sarees, silk dress material, black pottery, handicraft items, art products, jewellery etc.
In recent years, the state has also emerged as a major centre of information technology development, besides witnessing in growth in the service sector. Services like telecommunication, banking, insurance, logistics, transport, health and education have seen massive growth as purchasing power has improved.
Poverty in the state has fallen from about 57 per cent to 42 per cent in last few decades.
There has been tremendous growth in the infrastructure of Uttar Pradesh from the year 2012-13 onwards, resulting in construction of roads, expressway, district roads and electricity supply.
(Source: Planning Commission reports)