Why in the news?

  • The Centre announced 100 Aspirational Agriculture Districts to be developed under the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY) across 29 states and UTs.

PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDY)

  • Type: Centrally Sponsored Scheme
  • Implementation Period: 6 years (FY 2025–26 to 2030–31)
  • Annual Outlay: ₹24,000 crore
  • Coverage: 100 agricultural districts
  • Modelled On: Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP)
  • Objective:
    • Enhance agricultural productivity
    • Promote crop diversification and sustainable practices
    • Improve post-harvest storage at panchayat/block level
    • Strengthen irrigation infrastructure
    • Ensure access to short-term and long-term credit
  • Features:
    • Convergence of 36 schemes from 11 ministries
    • District Agriculture and Allied Activities Plan (DAAAP) to be prepared by:
      • District Dhan Dhaanya Samiti, headed by the District Collector
      • Will include progressive farmers
    • Technical support: Central & State Agriculture Universities
    • Monitoring: Committees at National, State, and District levels
    • Field Monitoring: Central Nodal Officers (CNOs)
    • Digital Dashboard: Portal for real-time monitoring and ranking
    • District Ranking: Based on 117 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
  • Implementation Strategy:
    • Bottom-up planning with agro-climatic zone-based approach
    • Alignment with national goals:
      • Natural and organic farming
      • Soil and water conservation
      • Self-sufficiency in agriculture
  • Selection Criteria for Districts
    • Low productivity
    • Moderate crop intensity
    • Below-average credit availability