Bundelkhand farmers see rising incomes via Khet Talab Yojana

The Uttar Pradesh government’s ‘Khet Talab Yojana’ (Farm Pond Scheme) is transforming agricultural productivity in the Bundelkhand region, specifically in the Mataund area of Banda. The initiative focuses on rainwater harvesting by allowing farmers to construct ponds within their fields to prevent runoff and store water for irrigation.

Under the scheme, eligible farmers can apply through the Uttar Pradesh Agriculture Portal to receive a subsidy of up to 50 percent of the pond construction cost, capped at 52,500 rupees. Additional subsidies are available for irrigation equipment such as pipes and sprinklers. In Banda alone, more than 4,800 farmers have benefited from the program.

The scheme has significantly increased farmer income by reducing reliance on unpredictable rainfall. Previously, farmers struggled to cover production costs due to water scarcity; however, with reliable irrigation, some report crop sales increasing from 15,000–50,000 rupees to between 200,000 and 600,000 rupees per season, depending on land size and crop type.