Uttar Pradesh Completes 976 Irrigation Projects, Impacting 1.85 Crore Farmers

Quick Summary

• Uttar Pradesh’s government has completed 976 irrigation projects over the last eight years, creating an additional 48.32 lakh hectares of irrigation potential.
• These projects have directly benefited 185.33 lakh farmers across the state, according to a government spokesperson.
• Irrigated land has increased from 82.58 lakh hectares in 2017 to 133 lakh hectares currently; notably, Uttar Pradesh is the only state where:

– 76% of farmland is under cultivation and 86% of total land is irrigated.

• Major initiatives completed under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana include:

– Saryu Canal Project
– Arjun Sahayak Project
– Bansagar Project

• Future plans include Phase 2 projects such as Madhya Ganga Nagar Project, Kanhar Irrigation project, and barrage construction on Rohin River-aiming to add irrigation capacity for another 5 lakh hectares and benefit over 7 lakh farmers.
• The Ken-Betwa River Linking project promises change for Bundelkhand by irrigating 2.51 lakh hectares, supplying drinking water to 21 lakh people, and mitigating recurring droughts/floods in affected regions.
• Ancient delays in key projects like the Saryu Canal (initiated in the early ’70s) were addressed after CM Yogi Adityanath took office-resulting in accelerated completion timelines.

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Indian Opinion Analysis

Uttar Pradesh’s recent strides in expanding irrigation capabilities reflect a significant effort toward enhancing agricultural sustainability and rural welfare. The creation of substantial additional irrigable land (48.32 lakh hectares) underscores both infrastructural advancement and policy prioritization around agriculture-the backbone of India’s economy.

The timely completion of long-pending projects like saryu Canal exemplifies effective administrative intervention aimed at curbing past delays that undermined farmer benefits for decades. Meanwhile, aspiring river linking initiatives like Ken-Betwa not only promise regional parity but also provide structural answers to perennial flood/drought cycles-offering multi-faceted benefits including irrigation coverage expansion and drinking water accessibility.

Projects under this strategy align wiht broader national schemes targeting farmer empowerment through efficient utilization of resources such as water-a critical factor amid growing climate challenges affecting Indian agriculture.

Though, continued monitoring will be essential to ensure all upcoming works adhere strictly to their timeline while delivering equitable outcomes across marginalized farming populations within underserved areas statewide.