Agriculture and Allied Sectors (Part – IV)

Launched on 1st July, 2015 with the motto of 'Har Khet Ko Paani", the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) is being implemented to expand the cultivated area with assured irrigation, reduce wastage of water and improve water use efficiency. The PMKSY not only focuses on creating sources for assured irrigation but also creating protective irrigation by harnessing rainwater at micro level through "Jal Sanchay" and "Jal Sinchan". Micro irrigation is also incentivized through subsidy to ensure "Per drop-More crop'. Repair and renovation of water bodies, construction of micro irrigation structures including tube wells and dug wells, enhancement of recharging of aquifers and construction of rainwater harvesting structures all of these are parts of PMKSY's components.

"Uttar Pradesh Diversified Agriculture Support Project' (UP- DASP) was launched with the objective of introducing the element of diversification in traditional agricultural patterns. Its coverage is continuously expanding yet a vast area is still outside its approach. DASP Phase-I started in Uttar Pradesh on September 23, 1998 and successfully completed on 31.03.2004 with the objective to accelerate the trends of diversification with the financial assistance from the World Bank to intensify agricultural activities through farmers' participation. Its Phase-II was started on 27.11.2007 by State Government fund and later on funded by Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) and the project was successfully completed on 31.03.2013. After the successful implementation of DASP Phase-I and Phase-II, the State Government nominated PCU, UPDASP as Nodal Agency for agriculture di- versification in the State.

The Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme was started in 1996-97 to provide Central loan assistance to the States, whose incomplete large/medium irrigation projects were in advance stages of completion. Centrally sponsored Command Area Development Programme was started in 1974-75 for the efficient utilization of irrigation potential.

Suraj Dhara Yojana is implemented by the Madhya Pradesh Government. The main objective of this scheme is to encourage the SC/ST farmers to provide the certified seeds to adopt cultivation of oilseeds and pulses replacing millet crops. Seed exchange programme is the main component of this scheme.

In June 2018, the World Bank had approved 'Atal Bhujal Yojana' (ATAL JAL), a Rs. 6,000 crore Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation (Now the Ministry of Jal Shakti). The scheme is to be implemented over a period of five years from 2020-21 to 2024-25, with World Bank assistance. Of the Rs. 6,000 crore, Rs. 3,000 crore (450 million US $) shall be contributed by the World Bank as loan while the other half shall be provided by the Central Government in the form of Central Assistance from regular budgetary support. The entire WB's loan component and Central Assistance shall be passed on to the States as Grants. This scheme has been designed with the principal objective of strengthening the institutional framework for participatory and sustainable groundwater resource management in seven States, viz. Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. This scheme was formally launched by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 25 December, 2019 (w.e.f. 1 April, 2020).

In June 2018, the World Bank had approved 'Atal Bhujal Yojana' (ATAL JAL), a Rs. 6,000 crore Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation (Now the Ministry of Jal Shakti). The scheme is to be implemented over a period of five years from 2020-21 to 2024-25, with World Bank assistance. Of the Rs. 6,000 crore, Rs. 3,000 crore (450 million US $) shall be contributed by the World Bank as loan while the other half shall be provided by the Central Government in the form of Central Assistance from regular budgetary support. The entire WB's loan component and Central Assistance shall be passed on to the States as Grants. This scheme has been designed with the principal objective of strengthening the institutional framework for participatory and sustainable groundwater resource management in seven States, viz. Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. This scheme was formally launched by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 25 December, 2019 (w.e.f. 1 April, 2020).

Under the Jaldhara, Yojana, pump sets are given at nominal rent or lease to the poor farmers of the desert area.

Handbook of Agriculture is published by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR ).

Uttar Pradesh Council of Agriculture Research is located in Lucknow. It was established in the year 1989.

Krishak Samridhi Aayog' was established in Uttar Pradesh in November, 2017 to make suggestions from time to time with a view to doubling peasants' income by 2022. The Chief Minister of the State acts as the Chairman of this Aayog.