New Delhi, July 16, 2025 — The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the Prime Minister Dhan‑Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PM‑DDKY), a six‑year mission‑mode agricultural intervention aimed at revitalizing farming in 100 districts identified as lagging in productivity, irrigation, and credit access.(https://agriwelfare.gov.in/en/Major)
Background & Rationale
The PM‑DDKY scheme stems from the government’s ambition to address persistent disparities in agricultural performance across India. In the Union Budget 2025–26, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that inspired by the success of the Aspirational Districts Programme, this targeted agricultural initiative would converge existing schemes to uplift the most underserved districts.
Why these 100 districts?
Districts were selected based on metrics like:
- Low crop yield per hectare
- Poor irrigation coverage
- Low cropping intensity
- Weak credit penetration
Each state and Union Territory will have at least one district included to ensure geographic representation.
Budget & Financial Framework
Over its six‑year cycle (FY 2025–26 to FY 2030–31), PM‑DDKY is allocated Rs 24,000 crore annually, totaling Rs 1.44 lakh crore.
Funds will be deployed via:
- Central schemes: 36 existing programs across 11 ministries
- State contributions
- Private sector participation
The scheme is expected to directly benefit 1.7 crore farmers, enhancing livelihoods and tapping into rural employment opportunities.
Core Components of PM‑DDKY
a) Boosting Yields & Crop Diversification
- Provide high-quality seeds, precision farming inputs, balanced nutrition, and soil health practices
- Encourage cultivation of high-value, climate-resilient crops, including pulses and horticultural produce
b) Irrigation & Water‑Use Efficiency
- Expand coverage of water-harvesting infrastructure, micro-irrigation, and watershed projects
c) Access to Short‑ & Long‑Term Credit
- Leverage banks and institutional channels, including the new “Grameen Credit Score” initiative
- Raise subsidized crop-loan limits from ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh
d) Post‑Harvest & Storage Infrastructure
- Set up rural-level storage at block and panchayat scales to curb post-harvest losses
e) Convergence & Institutional Support
- All 36 schemes will be interlinked, including PM‑KISAN, PM‑FBY, PMKSY, and cold chain initiatives
- NITI Aayog will oversee implementation and monitor progress
Synergistic Programs Under PM‑DDKY
Beyond the core pillars, PM‑DDKY aligns with broader agricultural reform initiatives:
i) Rural Prosperity & Resilience Programme
- Skill training, technology extension, and value-chain development targeting rural underemployment
ii) Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses
- Six‑year mission focusing on tur, urad, masoor, with climate‑resilient seeds, assured prices, and procurement support via NAFED/NCCF
iii) Programme for Vegetables & Fruits
- Promote horticulture, efficient supply chains, processing, value addition, and better price realization
iv) National Mission on High‑Yielding Seeds
- Research and commercial deployment of over 100 advanced seed varieties released since July 2024
Implementation Strategy & Timeline
- FY 2025–26 Launch
- PM‑DDKY begins across identified districts, with state nodal agencies and NITI Aayog coordinating planning.
- District-Level Action Plans
- Each district crafts a detailed roadmap prioritizing irrigation, seeds, credit, and storage based on local data.
- Quarterly Progress Reporting
- Via NITI Aayog dashboards with real-time updates on key indicators.
- Mid-Term Review (FY 2028–29)
- Strategic review to assess scheme impact and adjust course.
- Final Evaluation (FY 2030–31)
- Outcome assessment, with successful models earmarked for national scaling.
Expected Impact & Anticipated Challenges
Projected Benefits
- Yield gains: Expected uptick of 10–20% in key crops
- Irrigation reach: At least 50% of farms in focus districts to gain irrigation support
- Credit uptake: 80%+ farmers accessing both short- and long-term loans
- Reduced losses: Storage initiatives to slash post-harvest wastage by ~15%
- Farmer incomes: Uplifts from crop diversification and value-addition
Likely Challenges
- Coordination complexities: Ensuring seamless central-state convergence
- Capacity constraints: Scaling up extension services, KVKs, and credit agencies
- Behavioral inertia: Convincing farmers to adopt new crops, technology, and practices
- Infrastructure rollout: Rapid deployment of storage and irrigation assets
Comparing to Past Efforts
PM‑DDKY builds upon earlier efforts, but is distinguished by its:
- Scale: Six-year funding at Rs 1.44 lakh crore
- Targeted design: Focused on bottom 100 districts
- Convergence-driven model: Bundling 36 programmes versus piecemeal initiatives
- Data-driven governance: Use of NITI Aayog monitoring and district-level dashboards
- Tech and skill focus: Rural prosperity and resilience intertwined with modern farming tools.
Voices from the Ground & Stakeholder Reactions
Though still in early phases, agricultural stakeholders have warmly received the launch:
- Economists highlight the merit of data-backed targeting and the benefits of convergence.
- Farmer advocacy groups cautiously praise the scheme’s scale but note the need for transparent seed and market access.
- State governments are gearing up district-level planning, though some stress the need for faster bureaucratic acclimatization.
What Farmers Should Do Now
If you’re a farmer in a PM‑DDKY district:
- Identify your district: Use state agriculture department portals or local Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK).
- Attend local workshops: Extension sessions will be conducted via KVKs/ICAR.
- Register for schemes: Sign up for micro-irrigation, credit, insurance, and storage schemes under the PM‑DDKY umbrella.
- Diversify cropping patterns: Look into pulses, vegetables, and climate-resilient crops.
- Stay updated: Watch local block-level announcements and district action plans.
The Road Ahead
The coming months will be pivotal:
- State nodal setups and district planning must gain momentum.
- Spending discipline: Timely release and utilization of the Rs 24,000 cr annual allocation.
- Capacity building: Ensuring local agricultural teams are trained and resourced.
- Technology outreach: Digital platforms for extension and credit-disbursement must scale efficiently.
- Independent audits and mid-term reviews (by FY 2028–29) will be essential to validate outcomes and iterate the approach.
Conclusion
With PM‑DDKY, India launches its most targeted farming initiative yet – funneling substantial resources, policy focus, and institutional backing into 100 chronically lagging agricultural districts. If effectively executed, it could elevate agricultural productivity, enhance incomes, strengthen rural credit markets, and embed modern farming into the DNA of India’s heartland. Critically, its success will hinge on district-level governance, farmer participation, and transparent outcome evaluation.
