In a major push to revitalize India’s agricultural ecosystem, the Union Cabinet has approved the “Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana” (PM-DDKY), aimed at uplifting 100 districts with persistently low agricultural productivity. Chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Cabinet cleared the proposal for implementation over six years starting from the financial year 2025–26.
The scheme, originally announced in the Union Budget 2025–26, is being positioned as a transformative, targeted intervention for underperforming agricultural regions. It borrows the strategic framework from NITI Aayog’s successful Aspirational Districts Programme, but with a singular focus on agriculture and allied activities.
PM-DDKY seeks to address critical challenges such as low crop yields, limited irrigation access, weak credit penetration, and poor post-harvest infrastructure. The goal is to enhance productivity, ensure sustainable and diversified farming practices, and improve farmer incomes through a decentralized, data-driven execution model.
Key Objectives and Strategy
The scheme is structured to converge 36 existing Central government schemes spread across 11 ministries and departments. It also integrates relevant state-level programmes and invites participation from the private sector. This multi-layered approach is designed to ensure efficient utilization of resources and reduce duplication of efforts.
Each state and union territory will have at least one district covered under the scheme. The total number of districts per state will be determined based on two key metrics: the net cropped area and the number of operational land holdings.
A three-tier planning and execution system will be established to ensure accountability:
- District-level Dhan-Dhaanya Samiti: Headed by the District Magistrate or Collector, and including progressive farmers, this body will be responsible for preparing a customized Agriculture and Allied Activities Plan.
- State-level Monitoring Committee: Will coordinate inter-departmental efforts, resolve bottlenecks, and ensure timely fund flow.
- National Steering Committee: To be led by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, with strategic inputs from NITI Aayog.
Each district’s agricultural plan will prioritize outcomes such as soil and water conservation, expansion of micro-irrigation, promotion of organic and natural farming, crop diversification, and building of post-harvest storage infrastructure.
Tech-Enabled Monitoring and Evaluation
To ensure transparency and measurable impact, the scheme will be monitored through a digital dashboard updated monthly. The dashboard will track 117 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), covering parameters like crop yield, irrigation coverage, credit delivery, and marketing linkages.
Dedicated Central Nodal Officers will be assigned to each district to oversee implementation. Their role will be to provide real-time feedback, identify implementation gaps, and facilitate best-practice sharing across regions.
NITI Aayog will act as the technical partner for the initiative, offering regular guidance and conducting periodic evaluations. This institutional support is expected to ensure the scheme remains on course and adapts dynamically to on-ground realities.
Budget and Funding
While the total outlay of the scheme has not been officially disclosed yet, officials familiar with the planning indicate it could be among the largest-ever targeted agricultural investments at the district level. The funds will be drawn from the pool of existing schemes, with additional allocations where necessary.
Private sector engagement is also being encouraged, particularly in areas like cold storage, agri-tech, food processing, and farmer training. The government aims to leverage CSR investments and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models to supplement public funding.
A New Chapter in Agri-Reform
The approval of the PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana underscores the Modi government’s continued focus on structural agricultural reforms. Over the past decade, initiatives such as PM-KISAN, PM-Fasal Bima Yojana, and e-NAM have laid the foundation for financial inclusion, risk mitigation, and digital access in the farming community.
By zeroing in on districts that have historically lagged in productivity and credit access, the new scheme hopes to bridge systemic gaps and create models of holistic agricultural transformation.
If implemented effectively, PM-DDKY could emerge as a landmark initiative to make Indian agriculture more inclusive, tech-driven, and climate-resilient—while keeping the farmer at the heart of the growth story.
