Introduction
The Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PM-DDKY) is a Central Sector Scheme approved by the Union Cabinet to accelerate the development of 100 agriculturally underperforming districts across India. Inspired by NITI Aayog’s Aspirational District Programme, it is the first scheme focused exclusively on agriculture and allied sectors. The scheme will be implemented for six years (2025–26 to 2030–31).
Objectives
- Enhance agricultural productivity.
- Promote crop diversification and sustainable agricultural practices.
- Improve irrigation facilities.
- Strengthen post-harvest storage infrastructure.
- Increase access to short-term and long-term institutional credit.
- Improve farmers’ income and rural livelihoods.
Key Features
- Coverage: 100 districts across India.
- Duration: Six years, beginning 2025–26.
- Approach: Convergence-based implementation rather than creation of a new standalone funding mechanism.
- Implementation: Through convergence of 36 existing schemes of 11 Central Departments, along with State Government schemes and private-sector participation.
Selection of Districts
Districts are identified based on three key indicators:
- Low agricultural productivity.
- Low cropping intensity.
- Low institutional credit disbursement.
The number of districts selected from each State/UT is based on its share of Net Cropped Area and operational holdings, with at least one district from every State/UT.
Institutional Framework
District Level
- District Dhan-Dhaanya Samiti prepares the District Agriculture and Allied Activities Plan.
- Includes progressive farmers and local stakeholders.
State Level
- State-level committees coordinate implementation and monitoring.
National Level
- Overall monitoring by the Central Government.
- NITI Aayog reviews district plans and provides guidance.
- Progress is monitored through a digital dashboard using 117 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
Significance
Targeted Agricultural Development
Focuses on districts lagging in agricultural performance.
Convergence of Schemes
Ensures efficient utilisation of existing resources through coordinated implementation.
Infrastructure Development
Promotes irrigation, storage, warehousing and other agricultural infrastructure.
Financial Inclusion
Improves farmers’ access to institutional credit.
Sustainable Agriculture
Encourages crop diversification, natural farming and efficient use of water and soil resources.
Challenges
- Coordination among multiple ministries and State Governments.
- Variations in administrative capacity across districts.
- Effective monitoring of convergence-based implementation.
- Ensuring timely credit flow and infrastructure creation.
- Sustaining community participation.
Way Forward
- Strengthen digital monitoring and outcome-based evaluation.
- Enhance capacity of district-level institutions.
- Encourage Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and private-sector participation.
- Promote climate-resilient and sustainable agricultural practices.
- Ensure timely convergence of schemes and institutional credit.
Conclusion
The PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana represents a district-focused, convergence-driven approach to agricultural transformation. By targeting low-performing districts, improving infrastructure, expanding institutional credit and promoting sustainable farming, the scheme aims to enhance farmers’ incomes, reduce regional disparities and contribute to the vision of Viksit Bharat and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
