PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana Launched by Centre

Centre Launches Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana

Why in the News ?

The Central Government announced the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY) identifying 100 Aspirational Agriculture Districts across 29 States and UTs to boost productivity, crop diversification, and irrigation. Uttar Pradesh tops the list with 12 districts under the new initiative.

Key Features of PMDDKY:

• Inspired Model: The scheme is designed on the lines of the Aspirational Districts Programme, focusing on agricultural transformation at the district level.
• Five Core Objectives: It targets enhancing productivity, promoting crop diversification, sustainable agriculture, post-harvest management, and irrigation improvement.
• Credit Support: The plan aims to improve access to short-term and long-term credit for farmers to sustain agricultural operations.
• Monitoring Mechanism: 100 Central Nodal Officers (CNOs), mostly Joint Secretaries, have been appointed for real-time performance evaluation across districts.
• Implementation Mode: The scheme will operate through convergence of 36 schemes from 11 departments, ensuring resource optimization.

District Selection and Implementation

• Selection Criteria: Districts were chosen based on low productivity, moderate crop intensity, and below-average access to agricultural credit.
• Top Performing States: Uttar Pradesh leads with 12 districts, followed by Maharashtra (9), Madhya Pradesh (8), Rajasthan (8), and Bihar (7).
• Other States Included: Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, West Bengal, Assam, and Kerala are also part of the scheme.
• District Plans: Each district will prepare a District Agriculture Development Plan, converging resources worth ₹24,000 crore annually.
• Regional Balance: The selection ensures equitable regional development based on net cropped area and operational holdings.

• Institutional Framework: Works through inter-departmental convergence, including 36 schemes related to irrigation, storage, credit, and mechanization.
• No Separate Budget: The scheme uses existing budgetary allocations, ensuring efficient fund utilization without additional fiscal burden.
• Model Linkage: Aligned with NITI Aayog’s Aspirational District Programme, focusing on measurable development outcomes in agriculture.
• Long-Term Goal: Strengthening district-level agricultural ecosystems to achieve self-reliant rural economies and sustainable growth.