Israel-backed farming project launched in UP's Bundelkhand to tackle water scarcity

The Uttar Pradesh government has launched a pilot agriculture project based on Israeli technology in Jhansi's Gangawali village to promote water-efficient farming in the drought-prone Bundelkhand region, according to a report by The Times of India.

The initiative, being implemented under the India-Israel Bundelkhand Water Project, aims to help farmers adopt modern irrigation techniques and improve crop productivity in a region frequently affected by water scarcity.

Three-year pilot with ₹16 crore budget

Officials cited in the report said the project will run for three years with a budget of ₹16 crore. If successful, it will be expanded to other selected villages in the block.

A team of Israeli experts prepared the project's implementation plan, following which a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in 2021.

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Pilot begins with kharif crops

The project has been launched on more than 10 hectares of farmland during the ongoing kharif season, with farmers cultivating paddy, maize and groundnut using Israeli farming techniques.

According to officials, the pilot is expected to showcase efficient irrigation practices that use less water while maintaining or improving crop yields.

Focus on tackling water scarcity

Assistant Geophysicist Manish Kumar Kannaujiya, the district nodal officer for the project, said the initiative is intended to serve as a demonstration model for farmers across Bundelkhand.

He noted that the region has long struggled with erratic rainfall, falling groundwater levels and recurring drought conditions.

Kannaujiya added that farmers will be introduced to Israeli irrigation methods, which have enabled the country to achieve high agricultural productivity despite receiving significantly less rainfall than Bundelkhand.

Part of India-Israel agricultural cooperation

Agriculture and water management remain key pillars of the India-Israel Special Strategic Partnership. Bilateral cooperation in these sectors has expanded significantly in recent years, particularly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Israel.

The partnership has increasingly focused on taking Israeli agricultural technologies beyond research centres and into villages through grassroots projects aimed at improving irrigation, water conservation and farm productivity.