Building on Bundelkhand Pilot Success: Uttar Pradesh Officials Explore Expansion Avenues
Media Release
Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh – A high-level delegation from the Government of Uttar Pradesh recently visited four villages in the Bundelkhand region where science-backed interventions, in partnership with ICRISAT, have transformed deserted wastelands into water-abundant croplands. The success of these interventions, benefiting thousands of households, has inspired the Uttar Pradesh Government to explore scaling up the project across a wider area.
"The Bundelkhand pilot project showcases the transformative potential of science-backed Natural Resource Management integrated with traditional knowledge. Our restoration of neglected heritage water structures have significantly increased water availability, bringing migrant farmers back home. Previously fallow lands can now produce three crops a year, greatly enhancing livelihoods," said Dr Jacqueline Hughes, Director General of ICRISAT, commending the Uttar Pradesh Government for its plans to scale up the initiative.
The Uttar Pradesh delegation to Bundelkhand comprised Dr KV Raju, Economic Advisor to the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh; Ms Monika Garg, Agricultural Production Commissioner; Mr Junaid Ahmad, Chief Development Officer of Jhansi; and senior officials from various line departments. The ICRISAT team was led by Mr Sanjay Agarwal, Assistant Director General, and former Secretary of Agriculture, Government of India, alongside Dr ML Jat, Global Research Program Director—Resilient Farm and Food Systems.
During their visit, the delegation toured Bhadokhar and Nota villages under the Tahrauli Project, Sutta village in Jhansi district, and Pura Birdha village in Lalitpur district, where ICRISAT-led interventions have been implemented.
“It is encouraging to see the community ponds filled with water. I urge farmers in these regions to consider fish farming as an alternative source of livelihood and to increase the number of milch cows to boost their income,” shared Dr KV Raju.
Dr Raju urged ICRISAT scientists to map all open wells within the project areas to improve water management and enhance data collection efforts.
Tahrauli Project Visit
The heart of the visit was the Tahrauli project in Jhansi, where large-scale rejuvenation of haveli (traditional water harvesting structures) has revitalized the region’s water supply.
Dr Ramesh Singh, Cluster Head at the ICRISAT Development Center (IDC), and his team demonstrated how these structures function as reservoirs during the monsoon and transform into fertile fields for crops during the post-rainy (rabi) season.
Dr Singh emphasized the long-term sustainability of these efforts, particularly through mason training:
“Since 2018, ICRISAT has focused on landscape resource conservation, particularly haveli rejuvenation, which has dramatically increased water availability in the region. Skilled masons are constructing robust water harvesting structures that will last for five decades, even under extreme rainfall,” said Dr Singh.
Improved Water Availability for Farmers
Farmers from Bhadokar village reported their wells had been dry for 15 years. However, after the construction of a check dam and the haveli system, the wells are now replenished for the first time in over a decade. This improvement in water availability is expected to enhance agricultural productivity.
In Sutta village, the team witnessed various natural resource management activities, including agroforestry and haveli rejuvenation, as part of the Doubling Farmers’ Income initiative.
The staff of the ICRISAT Development Center (IDC) facilitated the visit led by Dr Ramesh Singh, Cluster Head, accompanied by Dr KH Anantha, Principal Scientist, Natural Resource Management, Dr Venkat Radha, Senior Scientist-Vadose Zone Hydrology and on-site ICRISAT staff.
Looking Ahead
During meetings and field visits, Ms Monika Garg and senior Uttar Pradesh officials strongly supported expanding successful agricultural interventions in partnership with ICRISAT. The focus is on enhancing the livelihoods of a greater number of farmers through sustainable agricultural practices and innovative solutions.
This collaboration between the Government of Uttar Pradesh and ICRISAT aims to promote long-term agricultural development and resilience across the Bundelkhand region.
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Landscape resource management for sustainable crop intensification
This work aligns with SDGs 1, 13 & 17.
Jemima Mandapati
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