Uttar Pradesh Builds 37,000 Farm Ponds Under Khet Talab Yojana

Spread love

Uttar Pradesh Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi said, a total of 37,403 farm ponds have been built since 2017-18 under the state’s ongoing efforts to bolster sustainable agriculture.

By TRH News Desk

LUCKNOW, June 14, 2025 – In a push towards strengthening farm resilience and water security, the Uttar Pradesh government has constructed over 37,000 farm ponds in the past eight years under its flagship ‘Khet Talab Yojana’. The initiative, spearheaded by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s administration, aims to promote rainwater harvesting and enhance irrigation capacity across the state’s agricultural landscape.

According to Uttar Pradesh Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi, a total of 37,403 farm ponds have been built since 2017-18 under the state’s ongoing efforts to bolster sustainable agriculture. The project is being implemented under the ‘Other Interventions’ sub-component of the ‘Per Drop More Crop’ scheme, which is part of the centrally-sponsored Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY).

Building on this momentum, the government has now opened online applications for farmers interested in constructing farm ponds for the 2025–26 financial year. The online registration process, which commenced on June 3, is being conducted on a first-come, first-served basis through the Agriculture Department’s dedicated portal: https://agridarshan.up.gov.in.

Subsidy Support and Transparent Process

Under the new scheme guidelines, the total cost for constructing a small pond (measuring 22×20×3 meters) has been fixed at ₹1.05 lakh. Of this, farmers will contribute ₹52,500 while the state government will provide a matching subsidy of ₹52,500. The financial assistance will be disbursed in two installments via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), ensuring transparency and timely support to beneficiaries.

To initiate the application process, farmers are required to pay ₹1,000 as token money online at the time of booking. Once the token is confirmed, an SMS notification will be sent to the applicant’s registered mobile number. In case the SMS is not received, the final date for document uploads as mentioned on the portal will be considered binding. Failure to complete the necessary documentation—such as uploading land ownership records (khasra/khatauni) and a signed declaration form—will result in the booking being automatically canceled and passed on to the next eligible applicant on the waiting list.

Mandatory Micro-Irrigation Linkage

A key feature of the scheme is its emphasis on integrating water conservation with efficient irrigation practices. Installation of micro-irrigation systems, such as drip or sprinkler setups, is mandatory for all farm pond beneficiaries. Farmers who have already installed such systems through the Agriculture or Horticulture Departments within the past seven years are automatically eligible, provided the systems are still operational. Those without existing micro-irrigation systems must enter into a tripartite agreement with the Horticulture Department at the time of verification.

Additional Subsidy for Pump Sets

In addition to the pond construction subsidy, the government has also introduced a separate subsidy scheme for the installation of pump sets. Eligible farmers will receive 50% subsidy on the cost of the pump set, subject to a maximum limit of ₹15,000 per unit. However, this benefit will only be extended to farmers who have both completed construction of the farm pond and installed micro-irrigation systems.

Minister Shahi emphasized that the initiative reflects the “double-engine government’s” commitment to empowering farmers with sustainable water management solutions. “By providing direct financial support, ensuring a transparent online application process, and integrating modern irrigation practices, we are helping our farmers become self-reliant and more resilient to climate variability,” he said.

The Khet Talab Yojana is part of the broader state strategy to strengthen Uttar Pradesh’s agricultural infrastructure, promote water conservation, and improve farm incomes by reducing dependency on erratic monsoons and costly groundwater extraction.

Follow The Raisina Hills on WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn