Govt Approves 56 Watershed Projects Worth ₹700 Crore

The Ministry of Rural Development has sanctioned 56 new Watershed Development Projects under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) at a total cost of ₹700 crore. These projects aim to enhance agricultural productivity, address land degradation, and bolster climate resilience across ten high-performing states: Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Nagaland, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Sikkim.

Project Details

Scope and Coverage: Each project will cover approximately 5,000 hectares, with adjustments in hill states where areas may be smaller. Collectively, these initiatives will impact around 280,000 hectares.

Activities Undertaken: The projects will implement various activities, including ridge area treatment, drainage line treatment, soil and moisture conservation, rainwater harvesting, nursery raising, pasture development, and providing livelihoods for asset-less individuals.

Objectives and Expected Outcomes

Agricultural Productivity: By improving soil health and water availability, the projects aim to increase crop yields and farmers’ incomes.

Land Degradation: The initiatives focus on rehabilitating degraded lands, promoting sustainable land management practices.

Climate Resilience: Enhancing water conservation and soil fertility will strengthen farmers’ resilience to climate change impacts.

Historical Context

This initiative builds upon the success of the Watershed Development Component of PMKSY 1.0, which led to significant improvements in groundwater levels, surface water availability, and agricultural productivity. The ongoing PMKSY-WDC 2.0 continues these efforts, with the recent approval of these 56 projects marking a substantial investment in sustainable agriculture and rural development.

Summary of the news

Why in News	Key Points
Govt approves 56 new watershed development projects under PMKSY at ₹700 crore	56 new projects, ₹700 crore funding, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), covers 280,000 hectares, ten states including Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha, and others
Project Activities	Soil and water conservation, rainwater harvesting, ridge area treatment, drainage line treatment, pasture development
States Involved	Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Nagaland, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim
Area Covered	280,000 hectares across 56 projects
Key Objective	Enhance agricultural productivity, address land degradation, promote climate resilience
Focus Areas	Integrated watershed management, improving water availability and soil health