PRAYAGRAJ, June 16 -- In a determined push towards sustainable agriculture and water conservation, the state government is ramping up efforts under the Khet Talab Yojana, encouraging farmers to construct rainwater harvesting ponds in their fields.

For Prayagraj district alone, the government has set a target of digging 50 new ponds this year-three times higher than last year's target, said officials.

Officials say schemes like Khet Talab Yojana and Amrit Sarovar Yojana are proving instrumental in addressing the state's growing water scarcity, especially in light of declining rainfall and falling groundwater levels. These initiatives have gained momentum following Uttar Pradesh's recognition with the First Prize at the Third National Wat...