About
- The Pradhan Mantri Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana was announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1, 2025, during the presentation of the Union Budget 2025-26.
- It is a significant initiative announced in the Union Budget 2025-26, aiming to transform the agricultural landscape of India.
- This program is designed to uplift 100 districts identified with low agricultural productivity, moderate crop intensity, and below-average access to credit, thereby benefiting approximately 1.7 crore farmers across the nation.
Key Objectives of the Scheme
- Enhancing Agricultural Productivity:
- The program focuses on introducing advanced farming techniques and modern equipment to boost crop yields. This includes the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices that ensure long-term soil health and productivity.
- Promoting Crop Diversification:
- Encouraging farmers to diversify their crops reduces dependency on a single crop and mitigates risks associated with market fluctuations and climate change. This strategy aims to increase farmers’ income and promote sustainable farming.
- Augmenting Post-Harvest Storage:
- To minimize post-harvest losses, the scheme plans to develop storage facilities at the panchayat and block levels. Improved storage infrastructure will help in maintaining the quality of produce and provide farmers with the flexibility to sell their produce at favorable times.
- Improving Irrigation Facilities:
- By enhancing irrigation infrastructure, the program aims to ensure efficient water usage and increase the area under irrigation. This will help in stabilizing crop production and reducing the dependency on monsoons.
- Facilitating Access to Credit:
- The scheme seeks to improve the availability of both short-term and long-term credit for farmers. Easier access to credit will enable farmers to invest in better farming practices, purchase quality inputs, and adopt modern technologies.
Implementation Strategy
- The PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana will be implemented in partnership with state governments.
- By converging existing agricultural schemes and introducing specialized measures, the program aims to create a comprehensive support system for farmers in the targeted districts.
- This collaborative approach ensures that the unique needs of each region are addressed effectively.
Additional Initiatives
- On implementing this scheme, the government has announced the ‘Rural Prosperity and Resilience Program’ in collaboration with states.
- This initiative focuses on addressing underemployment in agriculture through skilling, investment, and technology adoption, thereby invigorating the rural economy.
- The program particularly benefits rural women, young farmers, marginal and small farmers, and landless families, ensuring their economic stability.
- Furthermore, recognizing the increasing consumption of pulses and the need for self-sufficiency, the government will launch a six-year ‘Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses’ with a special focus on tur, urad, and masoor.
- Comprehensive program for raising vegetable and fruit production to provide remunerative prices to farmers will also be initiated.
Conclusion
- The Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana represents a holistic approach to agricultural development, aiming to enhance productivity, promote diversification, improve infrastructure, and provide financial support to farmers.
- Through these concerted efforts, the government envisions a prosperous and resilient agricultural sector that contributes significantly to the nation’s economy.
