The North News
New Delhi, July 16
The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana, a six-year agricultural development scheme with an annual outlay of ₹24,000 crore, set to begin in 2025-26. The initiative will target 100 underperforming districts, focusing exclusively on agriculture and allied sectors. It draws its framework from NITI Aayog’s Aspirational Districts Programme, aiming to boost productivity, promote crop diversification, and enhance sustainability in rural India. According to official statement, the scheme will address three key weaknesses in selected districts—low agricultural productivity, low cropping intensity, and limited credit access. The districts will be selected based on net cropped area and operational holdings, with at least one district represented from each state or union territory.
The programme intends to integrate 36 existing schemes across 11 central departments, alongside support from state initiatives and private sector collaboration. Key components include post-harvest infrastructure at the panchayat and block levels, improved irrigation, and access to long- and short-term credit. To oversee implementation, multi-tiered committees at the district, state, and national levels will be formed. Each district will develop a customised agriculture and allied activities plan, supervised by a District Dhan Dhaanya Samiti. These panels will include progressive farmers and aim to align district strategies with national goals such as organic farming, water conservation, and soil health.
Performance will be tracked using 117 key indicators via a digital dashboard. Central Nodal Officers and NITI Aayog will regularly assess progress and offer policy guidance.
The government expects that success in these 100 districts will lift national agricultural averages, foster local employment, and promote self-reliance under Atmanirbhar Bharat.
