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Mumbai: In a major push to revitalise agriculture and allied sectors, the Union Cabinet has approved the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana, a first-of-its-kind initiative aimed exclusively at accelerating development across 100 districts. The scheme has an outlay of Rs 24,000 crore per year and will be implemented over the next six years.
Drawing inspiration from NITI Aayog’s Aspirational District Programme, the scheme promises a data-driven, outcome-focused approach to raise agricultural productivity, promote sustainable practices and improve rural livelihoods.
Target districts will be selected using key indicators such as low crop yield, minimal cropping intensity and limited access to agricultural credit. Each state will see at least one district included, with final selections reflecting the distribution of India’s net cropped area and operational holdings.
The plan’s implementation will rely on the convergence of 36 existing central schemes across 11 departments, alongside complementary state initiatives and private sector participation. A three-tier governance structure – national, state and district – will oversee planning and execution, with each district guided by its own Dhan-Dhaanya Samiti, comprising officials and progressive farmers.
District-level plans will align with national goals, emphasising crop diversification, conservation of natural resources and the promotion of organic farming. Progress will be tracked monthly via a digital dashboard against 117 key performance indicators, with NITI Aayog offering guidance and monitoring support.
As outcomes in the chosen districts improve, officials expect national agricultural metrics to rise correspondingly. By enhancing productivity, storage, irrigation and financial access, the scheme aspires to foster greater self-reliance and value addition within India’s agricultural ecosystem, anchoring the broader vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
(Write to us at editorial@bombaychamber.com)
