Archive · 1 Sep 2026
Shivraj Seeks Faster Watershed Projects for Drought-Free India
Shivraj Singh Chouhan reviewed a government programme that helps villages collect and use rainwater.
He said the programme is not only about building ponds, dams and other water structures.
It is also meant to bring more water to farms and improve farmers’ incomes.
The programme has approved 1,220 projects across 52.93 lakh hectares.
About 1.24 lakh water-harvesting structures have been built or restored.
The government said these efforts helped some farmers grow two or even three crops instead of one.
The programme also provided extra irrigation to farms in areas that depend on rain.
Chouhan asked states to finish the projects faster and judge them by their real benefits for farmers and rural families.
Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan reviewed the watershed component of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana.
He urged states and implementing agencies to complete projects quickly and measure success through improvements in farms and rural livelihoods.
Under WDC-PMKSY 2.0, 1,220 projects covering 52.93 lakh hectares were sanctioned at a cost of Rs 12,404 crore.
The programme has constructed or revived 1.24 lakh water-harvesting structures and provided protective irrigation to an additional 3.08 lakh hectares.
The ministry said 28.50 lakh farmers benefited, while afforestation and related activities covered 1.45 lakh hectares and generated 2.85 crore person-days of employment.
- Who
- Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, along with state governments and implementing agencies.
- What
- Chouhan reviewed the Watershed Development Component of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana and called for faster, results-based implementation.
- When
- The reports place the review on August 31, with one report describing it as Monday and another as Tuesday.
- Where
- New Delhi.
- Why
- To improve water availability, irrigation, land productivity, agricultural output and rural livelihoods as part of the goal of a drought-free India.
- Programme
- Watershed Development Component of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana 2.0 (WDC-PMKSY 2.0)
- Projects sanctioned
- 1,220 projects covering 52.93 lakh hectares
- Sanctioned cost
- Rs 12,404 crore, including a central share of Rs 8,134 crore
- Central funds released
- Rs 6,955.75 crore, or 85 per cent of the central share
- Water structures
- 1.24 lakh structures constructed or rejuvenated
- Protective irrigation
- An additional 3.08 lakh hectares received protective irrigation
- Reported benefits
- 28.50 lakh farmers benefited and 2.85 crore person-days of employment were generated
