**Executive Summary**
This document presents the Indian government's response to a parliamentary question regarding the agricultural challenges faced by the Bundelkhand region. The government acknowledges the region's difficulties and outlines current initiatives being implemented by the State Government of Uttar Pradesh. The response clarifies that, while no new special mission is currently planned, the Bundelkhand districts are included in the PM-Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojna. The question was raised on the 9th of December, 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Bundelkhand Region Challenges:**
* The government recognizes severe agricultural challenges in Bundelkhand due to unique geographical and climatic conditions, including recurring droughts, soil degradation, and water scarcity.
* **Existing Initiatives:**
* The State Government of Uttar Pradesh (UP) is implementing several schemes/projects to address these challenges:
* Aikikrth Agriculture Development (Solar Fencing) Scheme under Bundelkhand Package.
* U.P. Millets Punaruddhaar Scheme.
* Varsha Jal Sanchayan hetu Khet Talab yojna.
* Atamnirbar Bharat Krishyak Samnvit Vikas yojana (FPO).
* U.P. Dalhan Vikas yojna.
* Parmparaght Krishi Vikas Yojana/National Mission for Natural farming.
* Building Community Resilience by Alleviation of water Scarcity and land degradation through integrated Natural Resource Management In Bundelkhand of Uttar Pradesh district Jhansi through RKVY.
* Landscape Resource Conservation for Building Agricultural Livelihood Resilience in Jhansi District (Sanction in 2025-26 under SADP) work will be started after the financial sanction.
* **Future Plans:**
* No new special mission or dedicated funds allocation is currently under consideration.
* Jhansi, Lalitpur, Jalaun, Mahoba, Banda, Hamirpur and Chitrakoot districts of Bundelkhand have been included in PM-Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojna.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder:** *Farmers in the Bundelkhand region*
* **Impact:** Farmers will benefit from the ongoing state government schemes and the inclusion of their districts in the PM-Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojna, focusing on agricultural and allied sector development.
* **Action Required:** Farmers should engage with the existing state government schemes and the PM-Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojna to leverage the available support for agricultural development and sustainability.
**Stakeholder:** *State Government of Uttar Pradesh (UP)*
* **Impact:** The state government's existing schemes are acknowledged as a means of addressing the agricultural challenges in the Bundelkhand region.
* **Action Required:** Continue implementing the existing schemes and align them with the objectives of the PM-Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojna for focused development in the Bundelkhand districts.
Key Entities Referenced
Bundelkhand Special Agriculture Development Mission: A proposed mission aimed at improving agricultural sustainability, enhancing productivity, and ensuring long-term self-reliance of farmers in the Bundelkhand region.
Bundelkhand: A region facing severe agricultural challenges due to unique geographical and climatic conditions.
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare: The government body responsible for addressing the agricultural challenges in the Bundelkhand region.
PM-Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojna: A scheme to focus on development by convergence of schemes of agriculture & allied sector.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1536
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 9TH DECEMBER, 2025
SPECIAL AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT MISSION
1536. SHRI ANURAG SHARMA :
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण
मं(cid:361)ी be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that the Bundelkhand region continues to face
severe agricultural challenges due to its unique geographical and climatic conditions,
including recurring droughts, soil degradation and water scarcity;
(b) whether the Government has examined the need for establishing a dedicated
"Bundelkhand Special Agriculture Development Mission" aimed at improving
agricultural sustainability, enhancing productivity and ensuring long-term self-reliance
of farmers in the region;
(c) if so, the details of any consultations or proposals under consideration;
(d) whether the proposed Mission would include initiatives such as climate-resilient
crops, micro-irrigation expansion, soil-health improvement, promotion of agro-forestry,
farmer training, value-addition units and market-linkage support, if so, the details
thereof; and
(e) whether the Government proposes to allocate special funds or introduce a time-
bound action plan to address the persistent agricultural distress in Jhansi, Lalitpur,
Jalaun, Mahoba, Banda, Hamirpur and Chitrakoot districts of Bundelkhand, if so, the
details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण रा(cid:475) मं(cid:361)ी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)
(a) to (d): The Government is aware of various agricultural challenges that
Bundelkhand region faces due to its unique geographical and climatic conditions,
including recurring droughts, soil degradation and water scarcity and is taking several
measures to improving agricultural sustainability in the region. As reported by State
Government of Uttar Pradesh(UP), State Govt. is implementing following Schemes /
Project to address the agricultural challenges in the region, :1. Aikikrth Agriculture Development (Solar Fencing) Scheme under
Bundelkhand Package.
2. U.P. Millets Punaruddhaar Scheme
3. Varsha Jal Sanchayan hetu Khet Talab yojna
4. Atamnirbar Bharat Krishyak Samnvit Vikas yojana (FPO)
5. U.P. Dalhan Vikas yojna
6. Parmparaght Krishi Vikas Yojana/National Mission for Natural farming
7. Building Community Resilience by Alleviation of water Scarcity and land
degradation through integrated Natural Resource Management In
Bundelkhand of Uttar Pradesh district Jhansi through RKVY
8. Landscape Resource Conservation for Building Agricultural Livelihood
Resilience in Jhansi District (Sanction in 2025-26 under SADP) work will
be started after the financial sanction.
(e): At present, no such proposal is under consideration of the Government.
However, Jhansi, Lalitpur, Jalaun, Mahoba, Banda, Hamirpur and Chitrakoot districts
of Bundelkhand have been included in PM-Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojna, for focused
development by convergence of schemes of agriculture & allied sector.
*****