Prime Minister Narendra Modi has unveiled a major agricultural initiative aimed at transforming 100 underperforming farming districts across India. The PM Dhan-Dhanya Krishi Yojana, with a substantial allocation of Rs 24,000 crore, represents one of the government’s largest targeted interventions in the agricultural sector in recent years.
The program specifically targets districts that have consistently lagged in agricultural output despite having significant potential. These areas have historically struggled with low productivity, limited crop diversity, inadequate infrastructure, and insufficient access to financial resources.
Comprehensive Approach to Agricultural Development
The initiative adopts a multi-pronged strategy to address fundamental challenges facing farmers in these districts. According to the announcement, the scheme will focus on four key areas:
- Improving agricultural productivity through modern farming techniques
- Promoting crop diversification to reduce risk and increase income stability
- Developing agricultural infrastructure including irrigation, storage, and transport
- Enhancing access to credit and financial services for small and marginal farmers
Agricultural experts note that the targeted approach could help address regional disparities in farm output. The scheme recognizes that a one-size-fits-all approach to agricultural development has limitations, particularly in districts with unique geographical, climatic, and socioeconomic challenges.
Financial Support and Implementation
The Rs 24,000 crore funding allocation will be distributed across the 100 identified districts based on specific needs and development plans. Local agricultural officials will work with farmers to create district-specific roadmaps that address the particular challenges of each region.
The initiative also aims to increase institutional credit flow to these regions, where many farmers currently rely on informal lending sources with high interest rates. By improving access to formal banking channels, the scheme hopes to reduce farmer indebtedness and create more sustainable agricultural practices.
“This scheme will help transform the agricultural landscape in districts that have been left behind,” said Prime Minister Modi during the announcement. “Our goal is to double farmer incomes in these regions and create models of agricultural excellence that can be replicated elsewhere.”
Expected Impact and Challenges
Government projections suggest the initiative could benefit millions of farming families across the 100 targeted districts. Officials expect improvements in crop yields, increased farmer incomes, and greater resilience to climate and market fluctuations.
However, agricultural policy analysts point to implementation challenges that will need to be addressed. These include coordination between central and state agencies, ensuring timely disbursement of funds, and adapting programs to local conditions.
The success of the program will likely depend on effective monitoring mechanisms and the active participation of farming communities in planning and execution. Previous agricultural schemes have sometimes struggled with last-mile delivery and adoption of new practices by farmers.
The PM Dhan-Dhanya Krishi Yojana represents a significant investment in India’s agricultural future, particularly for regions that have not fully participated in the country’s agricultural growth story. If successful, it could create more balanced agricultural development across India’s diverse farming regions and improve livelihoods for millions of rural families.
