Archive · 11 Oct 2026
Watershed Scheme Benefits 2.29 Lakh Farmers Across Six Bengal Districts
A government programme is helping farmers in six districts of West Bengal.
It works to conserve water and improve irrigation.
The programme has reached more than 2.29 lakh farmers.
Its projects cover about 1.29 lakh hectares.
Workers have built or repaired water-harvesting structures, check dams and irrigation channels.
They have also carried out planting and other land-care work.
Thousands of self-help groups have received support for earning a living.
The programme aims to help farming communities cope better in areas that depend on rain or face drought.
The WDC-PMKSY 2.0 programme has benefited more than 2.29 lakh farmers in six western districts of West Bengal.
Its 27 projects cover approximately 1.29 lakh hectares, with an approved cost of Rs 350.60 crore shared 60:40 by the Centre and state.
Cumulative expenditure is approximately Rs 268.86 crore, or 77 per cent of the total project cost.
Completed work includes 510 entry-level activities and 5,491 natural resource management projects.
About 5,545 self-help groups have received support through micro-credit and livelihood activities.
- Who
- More than 2.29 lakh farmers and around 5,545 self-help groups have benefited.
- What
- The WDC-PMKSY 2.0 watershed programme supports water conservation, irrigation, sustainable agriculture and rural livelihoods.
- When
- The programme's reported figures include the 2025-26 and 2026-27 financial years.
- Where
- Birbhum, Bankura, Purulia, Paschim Bardhaman, Paschim Medinipur and Jhargram districts of West Bengal.
- Why
- It aims to improve farming-community resilience, especially for small and marginal farmers in drought-prone and rain-dependent areas.
- Projects
- 27 watershed projects
- Approved project cost
- Rs 350.60 crore
- Funding share
- Centre and state in a 60:40 ratio
- Project area
- Approximately 1.29 lakh hectares
- Cumulative expenditure
- Approximately Rs 268.86 crore, or 77 per cent of total project cost
- Completed activities
- 510 entry-level works and 5,491 natural resource management works
- Self-help groups supported
- Around 5,545