Latest news with #KhetTalabYojana
Time of India
5 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Uttar Pradesh numero uno in Amrit Sarovars construction
Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh has emerged as the state with the highest number of Amrit Sarovars in the country, having constructed and rejuvenated 16,630 ponds — three times the original target of 5,550 — since the launch of the programme in 2022. This project, along with others aimed at improving the state's groundwater situation received a fresh impetus this week as the state observes 'Groundwater Week'. Madhya Pradesh secured the second spot with 5,839 ponds, followed by Chhattisgarh (2,902), Bihar (2,613), Haryana (2,088), Jharkhand (2,048), and Punjab (1,450), said a govt spokesperson. The state govt has also launched several other water conservation initiatives. These include the Khet Talab Yojana, efforts to revive extinct rivers through the 'One District-One River' scheme, promotion of irrigation techniques such as sprinkler and drip systems, incorporation of groundwater harvesting structures in building construction, and development of multipurpose ponds along riverbanks. Under the Khet Talab Yojana, the govt has helped construct 37,403 farm ponds since 2017–18, providing up to 50% subsidy on construction costs to farmers. Under the river revival programme, all district magistrates have been instructed to revive at least one river in their respective districts. In areas where groundwater levels have remained low for the past 10 years, at least one-fourth of farmers are being encouraged to adopt water-saving technologies. "These initiatives have shown positive results, with 29 districts reporting improvements in groundwater levels. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath introduced water conservation practices at Gorakhnath Temple around 10 years ago. He identified four spots prone to waterlogging and had rainwater harvesting pits installed there," said the spokesperson.
Hindustan Times
16-06-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
State sets target of digging 50 new ponds in Prayagraj under Khet Talab Yojana
In a determined push towards sustainable agriculture and water conservation, the state government is ramping up efforts under the Khet Talab Yojana, encouraging farmers to construct rainwater harvesting ponds in their fields. For Prayagraj district alone, the government has set a target of digging 50 new ponds this year—three times higher than last year's target, said officials. Officials say schemes like Khet Talab Yojana and Amrit Sarovar Yojana are proving instrumental in addressing the state's growing water scarcity, especially in light of declining rainfall and falling groundwater levels. These initiatives have gained momentum following Uttar Pradesh's recognition with the First Prize at the Third National Water Awards-2025, conferred by the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti in May, they added. Boost in farmer participation Thanks to a government grant of ₹52,500 per pond, more farmers in Prayagraj are embracing the scheme this year. Land Conservation Officer SP Singh said, 'The online application process is already underway. Last year, the target was to construct 13 ponds in the district, and over ₹52 lakh in grants were disbursed to participating farmers.' The scheme has seen rapid expansion across the state. While only 12,000 ponds were dug in 2023, the total has now crossed 1.2 lakh, according to officials—indicating a significant surge in interest and participation among the rural farming community. Addressing rainfall deficit and groundwater depletion 'Due to weak monsoons in recent years, Prayagraj's average annual rainfall has dropped to 835 mm, and unchecked groundwater exploitation has worsened the crisis,' Singh noted. 'The Khet Talab and Amrit Sarovar Yojanas are proving to be crucial milestones in reversing this trend,' he claimed. Last year, over 400 Amrit Sarovars were built in Prayagraj, collectively storing an estimated 175 crore liters of rainwater. Under the Khet Talab Yojana alone, 10 ponds were constructed in the district, contributing to groundwater recharge and supplemental irrigation. Multiple benefits for farmers Singh added that apart from improved water availability for irrigation, the ponds are also enabling farmers to diversify their income sources. 'Many are now using the ponds for fish farming, which is further boosting their earnings.' Across the state, the impact has been substantial. Water storage capacity has reportedly increased from 200 million cubic metres (MCM) to 560 MCM over the past two years—an encouraging sign of water sustainability in Uttar Pradesh.
Time of India
15-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
37K farm ponds made in UP since 2017 under ‘Khet Talab Yojana'
Lucknow: In a push to improve irrigation access and water conservation for farmers, the state govt has successfully constructed 37,403 farm ponds in Uttar Pradesh since 2017-18. This initiative under the 'Khet Talab Yojana' is empowering farmers to harness rainwater for agricultural use, enhancing self-reliance and crop sustainability. Agriculture minister Surya Pratap Shahi said under the sub-component "Other Intervention" of the "Per Drop More Crop" component of the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, the online selection process for farmers has been initiated for the construction of farm ponds in 2025-26. Online booking started from June 3, and farmers can apply on a first-come, first-served basis via the department's website ( The cost of constructing a small pond (22×20×3m) has been fixed at Rs 1.05 lakh, with the farmer and govt each contributing Rs 52,500. Once the token is confirmed, farmers will receive an SMS notification on their registered mobile number. The portal will display the final date for document uploads. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo If the SMS is not received, the date on the portal will still be considered final. Farmers are required to pay Rs 1,000 as token money online at the time of booking. They must also upload land ownership documents (khasra/khatauni) and a declaration form on the portal. If not completed, the booking will be automatically cancelled and passed on to the next eligible farmer on the waiting list. The minister further said installation of a micro-irrigation system (drip/sprinkler) is mandatory for pond beneficiaries. Only those farmers who have installed such systems through the horticulture or agriculture departments within the past seven years and have them in working condition at the time of application will be eligible. Other farmers must furnish a tripartite agreement with the horticulture department at the time of verification. The subsidy amount will be disbursed in two instalments via DBT.
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Agri contribution to UP's economy up from 13.7% to 16.8% in 2023-24: Report
Lucknow: The primary sector, especially agriculture, has played an important role in improving the state's gross domestic product (GDP), according to a recent report on Uttar Pradesh 's District Domestic Product for 2023-24. The report says that the primary sector accounted for Rs 6.35 lakh crore in UP's GDP of Rs 25.63 lakh crore, out of which, Rs 3.96 lakh crore was contributed just by the crop sector. Prepared by the economics and statistics division of UP govt's planning department, the report says that the contribution of crops to the state's economy was 16.8% in 2023-24, registering a growth of 13.74% over the previous year. The top five districts in terms of volume of crops included Lakhimpur Kheri, Sitapur, Barabanki, Bijnor, and Badaun. Similarly, the top five districts with highest growth in crops were Bhadohi, Jalaun, Kanpur Dehat, Rae Bareli, and Jhansi. The report highlighted that at least 37 districts registered a growth rate higher than the state average of 13.7%. Principal secretary, planning, Alok Kumar said that according to data, the crop sector's Gross State Value Added (GSVA) was largely driven by foodgrain, which contributed 40.68% to GSVA. The contribution of fruits and vegetables was 22.58% and sugarcane contributed 19.4% to GSVA. "UP consistently remained self-sufficient in foodgrain production and consistently maintained leading position in wheat and sugarcane production at the national level. In 2023-24, the state produced 6.68 crore tonnes of foodgrain and 3.98 crore tons of wheat, contributing 18.14% and 31.19% to India's total foodgrain and wheat production, respectively," Kumar said. In 2023-24, UP produced 2,495 lakh tonnes of sugarcane. The report suggests that interventions by the state govt helped in the growth of the sector through timely payments and efficient crushing. The top five districts contributing the most to sugarcane production are Lakhimpur Kheri (3.22 crore tonnes), Bijnor (2.37 crore tonnes), Sitapur (1.9 crore tonnes), Muzaffarnagar (1.68 crore tonnes), and Meerut (1.46 crore tonnes). Districts with highest increase in sugarcane production were Azamgarh (53.5%), Mau (49.6%), Jaunpur (33.7%), Rae Bareli (24.7%), and Mathura (21%). The state also contributed 11.6% to India's total paddy production with a yield of 2.65 crore tonnes. The paddy sector benefitted from water conservation schemes, with areas like Bundelkhand and Purvanchal, reporting an increase in production by 2.09% and 7.89%, respectively. Initiatives like Khet Talab Yojana and Amrit Sarovar improved groundwater levels, which led to increased crop production. "Various agricultural products of UP are gaining global recognition with Geographical Indication (GI) tags. Kala Namak rice from Siddarthnagar, Pratapgarh's aamla, Malihabad's Dussehri mango, and Adamchini rice from Chandauli are a few examples. Mango exports touched 567.62 tonnes in 2023-24, an increase of 7.59% over the previous year. The top five districts contributing the most to mango production are Unnao, Lucknow, Saharanpur, Meerut, and Sitapur. Five districts with highest growth in mango production are Chitrakoot, Hamirpur, Jalaun, Banda, and Lalitpur," Kumar said. Lucknow: The primary sector, especially agriculture, has played an important role in improving the state's gross domestic product (GDP), according to a recent report on Uttar Pradesh's District Domestic Product for 2023-24. The report says that the primary sector accounted for Rs 6.35 lakh crore in UP's GDP of Rs 25.63 lakh crore, out of which, Rs 3.96 lakh crore was contributed just by the crop sector. Prepared by the economics and statistics division of UP govt's planning department, the report says that the contribution of crops to the state's economy was 16.8% in 2023-24, registering a growth of 13.74% over the previous year. The top five districts in terms of volume of crops included Lakhimpur Kheri, Sitapur, Barabanki, Bijnor, and Badaun. Similarly, the top five districts with highest growth in crops were Bhadohi, Jalaun, Kanpur Dehat, Rae Bareli, and Jhansi. The report highlighted that at least 37 districts registered a growth rate higher than the state average of 13.7%. Principal secretary, planning, Alok Kumar said that according to data, the crop sector's Gross State Value Added (GSVA) was largely driven by foodgrain, which contributed 40.68% to GSVA. The contribution of fruits and vegetables was 22.58% and sugarcane contributed 19.4% to GSVA. "UP consistently remained self-sufficient in foodgrain production and consistently maintained leading position in wheat and sugarcane production at the national level. In 2023-24, the state produced 6.68 crore tonnes of foodgrain and 3.98 crore tons of wheat, contributing 18.14% and 31.19% to India's total foodgrain and wheat production, respectively," Kumar said. In 2023-24, UP produced 2,495 lakh tonnes of sugarcane. The report suggests that interventions by the state govt helped in the growth of the sector through timely payments and efficient crushing. The top five districts contributing the most to sugarcane production are Lakhimpur Kheri (3.22 crore tonnes), Bijnor (2.37 crore tonnes), Sitapur (1.9 crore tonnes), Muzaffarnagar (1.68 crore tonnes), and Meerut (1.46 crore tonnes). Districts with highest increase in sugarcane production were Azamgarh (53.5%), Mau (49.6%), Jaunpur (33.7%), Rae Bareli (24.7%), and Mathura (21%). The state also contributed 11.6% to India's total paddy production with a yield of 2.65 crore tonnes. The paddy sector benefitted from water conservation schemes, with areas like Bundelkhand and Purvanchal, reporting an increase in production by 2.09% and 7.89%, respectively. Initiatives like Khet Talab Yojana and Amrit Sarovar improved groundwater levels, which led to increased crop production. "Various agricultural products of UP are gaining global recognition with Geographical Indication (GI) tags. Kala Namak rice from Siddarthnagar, Pratapgarh's aamla, Malihabad's Dussehri mango, and Adamchini rice from Chandauli are a few examples. Mango exports touched 567.62 tonnes in 2023-24, an increase of 7.59% over the previous year. The top five districts contributing the most to mango production are Unnao, Lucknow, Saharanpur, Meerut, and Sitapur. Five districts with highest growth in mango production are Chitrakoot, Hamirpur, Jalaun, Banda, and Lalitpur," Kumar said.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
UP leads in efforts to conserve water
Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh ranks among the top states for water conservation in the country, recently being awarded the first position in the Third National Water Awards. Among various initiatives taken to conserve water are its Khet Talab Yojana, Amrit Sarovar, revival of rivers, multipurpose ponds along the Ganga and the Ken-Betwa Link project. Rainwater harvesting has been made mandatory in new urban housing projects. Around 70–80% of India's annual rainfall occurs between July and Sep, with regions like UP's Terai belt receiving even more. During this period, India gets about 870 mm of rain, but most of it is not conserved. Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri recently said the water crisis in the country is due to mismanagement not scarcity. To address this problem, the Central and state govts emphasised projects like rainwater harvesting and water recharge through the Atal Bhujal Yojana and the 'Catch the Rain' campaign. In UP, govt launched the Khet Talab Yojana. It has now set a target of constructing 8,500 ponds in rural areas, aiming to boost agricultural output, especially in paddy and maize, by over 12%. Under the Amrit Sarovar Yojana, launched in 2023, govt targeted the creation of 75 ponds per district. UP currently leads the country in its implementation. However, global warming has led to erratic weather patterns, with short bursts of heavy rain followed by prolonged dry spells, resulting in floods and droughts and impacting agricultural productivity, said a govt spokesperson. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dinheiro pra você organizar suas contas! Banco BV Saiba Mais Undo India is among the eight nations facing the highest projected decline in crop yields due to water scarcity, with a potential drop of 28.8%. UP is particularly vulnerable. Rainfall trends are shifting, especially in Bundelkhand. Over 77 years, the region has witnessed a sharp decline in average annual rainfall, dropping by 320 mm, or about 4.2 mm per year. From a historical average of 1,068.4 mm, rainfall levels hover between 800 and 900 mm annually. Now, govt has made Bundelkhand a focal point for water conservation efforts. The Khet Talab Yojana was launched here and the region is now home to numerous small and large-scale irrigation and conservation projects. Farmers are being encouraged to adopt modern, water-efficient irrigation techniques. CM Yogi Adityanath has been personally involved in water conservation practices. "Hailing from Gorakhpur, located in the water-rich Terai region, he implemented innovative water recharge systems at the Gorakhnath Temple, where he serves as the Mahant of Gorakshapeeth," he said. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Brother's Day wishes , messages and quotes !
