Report of the Study Group on Agricultural Adjustments in Flood Affected Areas in Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

The Report on Agricultural Adjustments in Flood-Affected Areas in Uttar Pradesh, prepared by a Study Group under the Planning Commission in response to the 1971 floods, examines strategies to enhance agricultural resilience in flood-prone “khadir” lands. Covering 6.5 lakh hectares in the Ganga river region, the report highlights the severity of flood impacts and proposes adaptive cropping strategies focused on the flood-free period, promotion of high-value crops, and the development of short-duration crop varieties. Recommendations include irrigation development through tubewells and mobile pumps, pilot projects to test cropping and irrigation models, financial support via subsidies and credit, custom services for timely land preparation, and strengthened research and institutional support. The report advocates a holistic approach integrating agronomic, infrastructural, and financial measures to convert flood challenges into opportunities for sustainable agricultural productivity in Uttar Pradesh.