Why in the news?
In pursuance of the Union Budget 2025–26 announcement, PMDDKY was approved for a period of six years.
More on the news
- Inspired by NITI Aayog's Aspirational District Programme, the scheme focuses exclusively on agriculture and allied sectors.
- It focuses on 100 low-performing districts facing issues such as low yields, water scarcity, and limited resource access.
Salient Features of the scheme:
- Budgetary Allocation: ₹24,000 crore annually for a period of six years starting FY 2025–26.
- Implementation: The scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare and monitored through a three-tier structure:
- National-level oversight bodies
- State-level nodal committees, and
- District Dhan Dhaanya Samitis chaired by District Collectors.
- These Samitis will prepare a District Agriculture & Allied Activities Plan through Extensive stakeholder consultations.
- NITI Ayog will also review and guide the district plans and Central Nodal Officers appointed for each district will review the scheme on a regular basis.
- Saturation-based convergence: Consolidates 36 existing agricultural schemes across 11 ministries (PM-KISAN, PMFBY etc.), other State schemes and local partnerships with the private sector.
- Progress tracking: Of each Dhan-Dhaanya district using 117 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Transparency and Accountability: Through a digital dashboard, farmer app, and district ranking system
- Criteria and Selection of Districts: NITI Aayog will finalize 100 districts based on:
- Low Crop Productivity: Yields below national averages.
- Moderate Cropping Intensity: Below national average(155%).
- Low Credit Access: Limited penetration of bank loans or Kisan Credit Cards.
- Geographic Representation: At least one district per state and Union Territory.
Significance of PMDDKY
Issues in Agriculture | Factors Responsible | Provisions under PMDDKY |
Low Crop Productivity |
| Provides access to high-yielding seeds, bio-fertilizers, and mechanized tools like seed drills. |
Lack of assured Irrigation | Over 52% of India's farmland relies on monsoons Eg. Bundelkhand's 2023 drought affected 30% of crops. | Drip and sprinkler systems to ensure water availability, enabling year-round farming in dry regions. |
Lack of Financial Support | Lack of Modern Resources due to high costs of high-quality seeds, bio-fertilizers, or mechanized equipment like tractors or harvesters. | Includes subsidies and loans through Kisan Credit Cards or NABARD. |
Absence of Storage Facilities | Up to 20% of crops, such as tomatoes and mangoes, spoil due to inadequate storage facilities (ICAR 2023). | Provision of Village and block-level warehouses and cold storage to prevent spoilage. |
Low Farmer Income | Market inefficiencies and reliance on middlemen reduce profits | Promotes diversification into high-value crops like pulses and vegetables, and direct market access through digital platforms like e-NAM and new PMDDKY app to connect farmers directly to buyers. |
Unsustainable Farming | Excessive use of chemicals, pesticides and mono-cropping practices. | Use of organic fertilizers, water-saving irrigation, and climate-resilient crops. |
Lack of Training and Skill Development | Illiteracy, lack of awareness and low participation in skilling programmes especially among women. |
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Conclusion
PMDDKY is a flagship initiative to revitalise Indian agriculture, benefiting 1.7 crore farmers across 100 underperforming districts. Through irrigation, storage, credit, training, market access, and modern technology, it empowers small farmers, women, and youth, fostering sustainable and profitable farming.