India, May 26 -- To combat falling groundwater levels, the agriculture department will promote crop diversification across Gurugram, Faridabad, and adjoining southern districts, and incentivise farmers to shift from water-intensive paddy to alternative crops under the Haryana government's "Mera Pani Meri Virasat" scheme, officials said on Saturday.

Following the directions issued by the Directorate of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare on May 20, the districts will intensify sensitisation initiatives for farmers through workshops and training programmes, officials added.

Officials said that under the scheme, districts have set targets to boost alternative crops, including maize, pulses, and oil seeds.

"Many of the unregistered areas still...