The Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Modi, has approved the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana—a dedicated scheme to boost agriculture and allied sectors in 100 identified low-performing districts across the country. Set to roll out from 2025–26 for six years, the scheme draws inspiration from NITI Aayog’s Aspirational Districts Programme and focuses exclusively on improving agricultural productivity, promoting crop diversification, encouraging sustainable farming practices, enhancing post-harvest storage infrastructure, improving irrigation facilities, and ensuring better access to both short- and long-term credit.
The 100 districts will be selected based on key indicators such as low productivity, poor cropping intensity, and low credit disbursement, with at least one district from each state and Union Territory. The scheme will be implemented through the convergence of 36 existing schemes across 11 Central Government departments, along with support from state schemes and private sector collaborations. Committees will be set up at the district, state, and national levels to oversee planning, execution, and monitoring. Each district will prepare a District Agriculture and Allied Activities Plan through a dedicated Dhan-Dhaanya Samiti, which will include progressive farmers as members. These plans will align with national goals such as crop diversification, conservation of soil and water, promotion of organic and natural farming, and overall self-sufficiency in the agriculture sector.
Progress in each of the selected districts will be tracked monthly using 117 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) through a digital dashboard, with NITI Aayog reviewing and guiding the process. Additionally, Central Nodal Officers will be appointed to regularly assess implementation on the ground. The government expects the scheme to significantly increase agricultural output, create local livelihoods, encourage value addition, and strengthen India’s food security. As performance improves in these targeted districts, the overall national agricultural indicators are also expected to rise, further advancing the goal of building an Atmanirbhar Bharat.