In a major step toward improving water management in agriculture, the Uttar Pradesh government has constructed 37,403 farm ponds under its flagship KhetTalabYojana. The initiative aims to strengthen on-farm water storage, reduce dependence on groundwater, and promote sustainable farming practices.
Implemented by the state’s Department of Agriculture, the scheme encourages farmers to build ponds on their fields to collect rainwater during the monsoon. These ponds help store water for irrigation during dry spells, ensuring better crop resilience and reducing irrigation costs.
Officials say the creation of these ponds has significantly improved water availability at the village level, especially in drought-prone and rain-fed regions of the state. The initiative also supports the government’s larger mission to double farmers’ income and promote climate-resilient agriculture.
Under the scheme, farmers receive financial assistance and technical guidance for the construction of ponds. The government is also working to integrate the program with other water conservation efforts such as micro-irrigation and watershed development.
By promoting decentralized water storage, the KhetTalabYojana is playing a key role in addressing irrigation challenges and enhancing productivity across Uttar Pradesh’s agricultural landscape.
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