Lucknow: Laser land leveling is fast becoming a cornerstone of sustainable farming in Uttar Pradesh. As part of a broader shift toward water-smart agriculture, the state government is offering a 50% subsidy up to ₹2 lakh, for farmers purchasing GPS-enabled laser land levelers. This advanced equipment ensures even land surfaces, which significantly reduces irrigation needs by as much as 50% and expands cultivable land by up to 6%.
The benefits are multi-fold: uniform crop maturity, reduced pest incidence, and higher crop yields. Agriculture experts underline that leveling land precisely improves the distribution of water and fertilizers. For example, paddy yields can increase by 61%, and wheat and sugarcane outputs by 40%. Uniform moisture levels also reduce germination gaps, leading to synchronous harvesting and less crop waste.
The state’s farmers, especially those in the Ganga basin from Bijnor to Ballia, are well positioned to lead this transformation. However, they also face increasing threats from climate change. According to Dr. D.K. Singh of Gorakhpur University, India could see a 28% drop in food grain output by 2050 due to water scarcity and glacier melt affecting river flows.
By promoting laser leveling, along with bunding, deep plowing, and advanced tools like drones and drip systems under the World Bank supported UP Agrees Yojana, the state aims to counteract these trends.
