The Union government has launched the PM Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana, a new initiative aimed at improving agricultural conditions in 100 districts characterized by low productivity, moderate crop intensity, and limited access to credit. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the scheme in the Union Budget 2025, emphasizing its focus on rural prosperity through collaboration with state governments.
The program, inspired by the success of the Aspirational Districts Program, aims to enhance agricultural conditions and uplift farmers in underdeveloped regions. Sitharaman explained that the initiative would be implemented through the convergence of existing agricultural schemes and specialized measures to address the specific challenges of these districts.
“The PM Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana, motivated by the success of the Aspirational Districts Program, will be carried out in partnership with states to improve conditions in 100 districts with low productivity, moderate crop intensity, and below-average credit access,” the Finance Minister stated.
The scheme will focus on five key areas to drive agricultural growth:
- Enhancing agricultural productivity through the adoption of advanced farming techniques.
- Promoting crop diversification and sustainable agricultural practices for long-term benefits.
- Developing post-harvest storage facilities at the panchayat and block levels to minimize crop wastage.
- Improving irrigation facilities to boost agricultural output.
- Facilitating access to credit for farmers, both short-term and long-term, to support investment in modern farming practices.
The program is expected to benefit 1.7 crore farmers across the 100 districts, improving their incomes and the overall sustainability of agriculture in these regions.
In addition to this, the government also introduced the Rural Prosperity and Resilience Program, aimed at tackling underemployment in agriculture. This program will focus on skilling, investment, and the adoption of technology to strengthen the rural economy.
Sitharaman highlighted that the Rural Prosperity and Resilience Program will “address underemployment in agriculture through skilling, investment, technology, and invigorating the rural economy.” The main objective is to create enough employment opportunities in rural areas, making migration to urban centers a choice rather than a necessity. This initiative will particularly benefit rural women, young farmers, marginal and small farmers, and landless families, ensuring their economic stability.
These initiatives, together, reflect the government’s commitment to inclusive agricultural growth, rural development, and sustainable farming practices, offering better opportunities for farmers and contributing to the resilience of the agricultural sector.
