PM DHAN DHAANYA KRISHI YOJANA

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Picture Courtesy:PIB

Context:

The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare successfully concluded Day 1 of the PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana – FPO Sangam, held at the NCUI Auditorium and NCDC Complex. 

What is PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY)?

PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana seeks to transform 100 low-performing agricultural districts by converging 36 schemes across 11 ministries, with an annual allocation of ₹24,000 crore for six years starting FY 2025–26. Instead of launching new programmes, the Yojana strengthens last-mile delivery of existing schemes through coordinated planning with states, agricultural universities, and the private sector. Modelled on the Aspirational Districts Programme (2018), it is expected to directly benefit 1.7 crore farmers.

Objectives of PMDDKY:

The scheme focuses on five integrated goals aimed at restructuring agricultural ecosystems:

• Enhancing productivity through improved inputs, technology adoption, and scientific crop management.
• Promoting crop diversification and climate-resilient practices such as natural and organic farming.
• Expanding post-harvest storage infrastructure at panchayat and block levels to reduce losses.
• Improving irrigation systems to ensure reliable and equitable water access.
• Strengthening farmers’ access to short-term and long-term credit to encourage investment and risk-taking.

District Selection Criteria:

• 100 districts are selected based on key indicators of agricultural underperformance.
• Low agricultural productivity is a primary criterion for identifying target districts.
• Low cropping intensity is used to highlight areas with limited multiple cropping or inefficient land use.
• Suboptimal institutional credit flow signals poor access to formal finance, making districts eligible for intervention.
• At least one district from every State/UT is included to ensure nationwide coverage and balanced representation.
• Allocation of districts to states is proportional to their Net Cropped Area (NCA), ensuring states with larger cultivated areas receive adequate coverage.
• Operational land holdings are also factored in to capture the scale and structure of agriculture in each state.
• The selection process ensures geographical balance and representation of diverse agro-ecological zones across India.

 Institutional Structure:

District-Level Implementation

Each selected district will form a District Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (DDKY) Samiti, chaired by the District Collector, and supported by progressive farmers, line department officials, and technical institutions. The committee will design a District Agriculture & Allied Activities Plan through consultations, crop-pattern analysis, and alignment with national priorities like soil conservation, diversification, and natural farming.

Progress will be tracked through 117 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) displayed on a central digital dashboard, enabling monthly reviews and accountability.

Multi-Tier Governance

Implementation will be monitored through three coordinated layers:

• District Committees for planning and execution.
• State Steering Groups for inter-departmental convergence.
• National-Level Oversight Bodies led by Union Ministers and Secretaries for strategic review.

Each district will be assigned a Central Nodal Officer for regular field visits and monitoring. Districts and nodal officers will be finalised by July 2025, with training beginning in August to enable rollout by the Rabi season in October.

Knowledge Support

The scheme integrates academic and governance institutions for technical depth:

• NITI Aayog will support strategic planning, capacity-building, KPI monitoring, and dashboard development.
• Each district will be paired with a Central or State Agricultural University for scientific and technical guidance, ensuring that local solutions are scientifically grounded and outcome-oriented.

Digital Support

A strong digital platform supports transparency and farmer engagement:

• A multilingual mobile app will provide farmers with information, advisories, and scheme benefits.
• A real-time dashboard will track district progress.
• A district ranking framework will foster competition and incentivize faster implementation.

Expected Outcomes:

By prioritising not only crop agriculture but also horticulture, fisheries, beekeeping, animal husbandry, and agroforestry, the scheme will generate broader rural growth. Expected gainsinclude:

• Higher agricultural productivity and better input-use efficiency.
• Increased value addition through storage, processing, and allied activities.
• Local livelihood creation and rural enterprise development.
• Enhanced domestic production and reduced import dependence.
• Strengthened progress towards Atmanirbhar Bharat in the agri-sector.

Conclusion

The PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana represents a paradigm shift in agricultural development through convergence, decentralised planning, and technology-enabled monitoring. With a strong financial commitment and institutional backing from 11 ministries, NITI Aayog, and agricultural universities, it aims to uplift 100 low-performing districts by improving productivity, diversifying livelihoods, and strengthening rural resilience.

Source: PIB