New Delhi (Economy India): The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the launch of a comprehensive agricultural development program titled ‘Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhanya Krishi Yojana’ (PM-DDKY). Spanning a period of six years, this flagship scheme will be implemented in 100 selected districts across the country starting from FY 2025-26, aiming to revolutionize agriculture and allied sectors in underperforming regions.
Inspired by the Aspirational District Programme of NITI Aayog, this is India’s first dedicated agriculture-focused development scheme covering productivity enhancement, crop diversification, irrigation, post-harvest infrastructure, and financial inclusion.
🌾 Key Objectives of PM Dhan-Dhanya Krishi Yojana:
- Increase agricultural productivity and promote crop diversification
- Adopt sustainable farming practices and natural/organic methods
- Enhance post-harvest storage capacity at panchayat and block level
- Improve irrigation infrastructure for water security
- Ensure easy access to short and long-term credit for farmers
- Achieve self-reliance in agriculture and allied sectors
🧭 District Selection & Approach:
A total of 100 districts will be selected based on three indicators:
- Low productivity
- Low crop intensity
- Low credit penetration
Every state and union territory will be represented by at least one district, with selection based on net sown area and operational landholding share.
Implementation will leverage:
- 11 Central Ministries
- 36 ongoing schemes
- State-level schemes
- Local private sector participation
🏢 Governance & Implementation Structure:
The scheme will be operationalized through multi-tier committees:
- District Dhan-Dhanya Committee: Finalizes the District Agricultural Action Plan. Members will include progressive farmers.
- State and National Level Committees: To ensure coordination, policy support, and monitoring.
- Central Nodal Officers: Appointed for each district to oversee regular progress.
Progress will be tracked via:
- 117 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) monitored monthly through a centralized dashboard
- NITI Aayog will play a guiding and reviewing role at the national level
🌱 Alignment with National Priorities:
Each district’s plan will align with India’s larger goals:
- Soil and water conservation
- Self-reliance in agriculture and allied sectors
- Promotion of natural and organic farming
- Doubling farmers’ income through value addition
This integrated, outcome-focused framework is designed to bring the target districts on par with national averages, creating a ripple effect on India’s agriculture performance at large.
📈 Anticipated Impact:
- Significant improvement in yield and crop diversification
- Better value addition in agriculture and allied sectors
- Increased local employment opportunities
- Boost in domestic food production and rural livelihoods
- Advancement towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat in food security
“PM Dhan-Dhanya Krishi Yojana represents a milestone in agricultural governance — integrating technology, farmer wisdom, and cross-departmental coordination,” said a senior official at the Ministry of Agriculture.
(Economy India )
