Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana: 100 Aspirational Agriculture Districts Launched Nationwide

The Government of India has launched the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY) to develop 100 Aspirational Agriculture Districts across 29 states and Union Territories. The scheme aims to enhance agricultural productivity and address regional disparities. Uttar Pradesh leads with 12 districts selected, followed by Maharashtra with nine and Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan with eight each. The initiative involves 100 Central Nodal Officers for monitoring and operational guidelines for effective implementation.

Selection Criteria of Aspirational Agriculture Districts

The districts were chosen based on three key factors – low agricultural productivity, moderate crop intensity, and below-average credit access. The number of districts per state is proportional to the net cropped area and operational holdings. This ensures balanced regional development and targeted agricultural growth.

Objectives of PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana

PMDDKY focuses on five main goals – improving agricultural productivity, promoting crop diversification, adopting sustainable farming practices, enhancing post-harvest storage at local levels, and upgrading irrigation facilities. It also aims to facilitate both long-term and short-term agricultural credit for farmers.

Implementation and Convergence Strategy

The scheme does not have a separate budget but will be implemented by converging 36 schemes from 11 different departments. The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare will contribute up to 19 of these schemes. Each district will prepare a detailed agriculture development plan. The estimated investment under this scheme is ₹24,000 crore annually.

Geographical Spread and Districts Selected

Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of districts selected, including Mahoba, Sonbhadra, and Prayagraj. Maharashtra’s districts include Palghar and Yavatmal. Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan have eight districts each. Bihar, which is preparing for elections, has seven districts on the list. Other states like Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu have four districts each. Smaller states and Union Territories have one or two districts selected.

Monitoring and Administration

The Department of Personnel and Training appointed 100 Central Nodal Officers, mostly joint secretaries, to oversee scheme progress. These officers will monitor implementation and ensure convergence of schemes at the district level. Regular reporting and evaluation mechanisms are part of the operational guidelines.