October 6, 2025

Current Affairs

PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY): Boosting Agricultural Self-Reliance

Context: The Government of India has announced 100 Aspirational Agriculture Districts under the PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY), covering 29 States and Union Territories. The initiative aims to enhance farm productivity, sustainability, and rural prosperity, aligning with the government’s vision of “Viksit Bharat @2047”.

About the Scheme

The PMDDKY is an umbrella initiative of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (MoAFW). It seeks to transform low-performing agricultural districts through integrated planning, data-driven governance, and convergence of schemes.

Objectives

Enhance productivity of major crops through modern, sustainable farming practices.
Promote self-reliance in agricultural resources and inputs.
Encourage diversification into high-value crops, allied sectors, and climate-resilient farming.
Ensure inclusive development by focusing on lagging districts with untapped potential.

Selection Criteria

The 100 Aspirational Agriculture Districts were identified based on:

Low crop productivity compared to the state average.
Moderate or low crop intensity.
Limited access to institutional credit and agri-infrastructure.
Socio-economic vulnerabilities affecting farmer incomes.

This data-driven identification mirrors the approach of NITI Aayog’s Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP), focusing on measurable improvement through a real-time monitoring framework.

Scheme Integration and Implementation

Integration: The PMDDKY brings together 36 central schemes from 11 departments, enabling convergence of resources and simplified delivery. These include schemes from the Ministries of Rural Development, Food Processing, Water Resources, and Renewable Energy.
District Plans: Each selected district will prepare a District Agriculture Development Plan (DADP) outlining priorities such as irrigation, seed quality, soil health, and market linkages.
Monitoring: The progress will be tracked by 100 Central Nodal Officers using digital dashboards and key performance indicators (KPIs).
Local Committees: Headed by the District Collector, they will coordinate between panchayats, agri-universities, and farmers’ producer organizations (FPOs) to ensure ground-level execution.

Significance

Holistic Growth: Moves from fragmented schemes to an integrated mission-mode approach.
Sustainability: Encourages soil health management, efficient water use, and adoption of renewable energy in farming.
Farmer Empowerment: Bridges the rural credit and infrastructure gap, enhancing income stability.
Data-Driven Governance: Builds accountability through measurable, outcome-based indicators.

Way Forward

PMDDKY has the potential to become a model for regional agricultural transformation, much like the Aspirational Districts Programme for governance. If effectively implemented, it can significantly contribute to doubling farmers’ income and achieving sustainable agricultural growth across India.

Li-Fi Internet System: A Breakthrough in Wireless Communication

Context: Gujarat-based Nav Wireless Technologies has achieved a major milestone by successfully deploying the United States’ first commercial Li-Fi internet system in New York City. This marks a significant step towards transforming how wireless communication operates globally.

About Li-Fi Technology

Li-Fi (Light Fidelity) is a wireless optical communication technology that uses light waves from Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) to transmit data at extremely high speeds.

Working Mechanism: Li-Fi works by modulating the intensity of LED light at rapid speeds—imperceptible to the human eye—to encode data.
Receiver Setup: A photodiode captures these light signals and converts them into electrical signals, which are then processed into usable data such as audio, video, or text.
Comparison with Wi-Fi: Unlike Wi-Fi, which relies on radio waves, Li-Fi operates using visible, infrared, and ultraviolet light, offering faster and more secure data transmission.

Advantages of Li-Fi Internet

High Speed: Li-Fi can deliver speeds exceeding 100 Gbps, outperforming most Wi-Fi systems.
Enhanced Security: As light cannot pass through walls, Li-Fi signals are naturally confined to a space, reducing the risk of external hacking.
Large Bandwidth: The visible light spectrum is nearly 10,000 times wider than the radio spectrum, significantly improving data capacity and reducing network congestion.
Electromagnetic Safety: Li-Fi avoids interference with medical or aviation instruments, making it ideal for hospitals, aircraft, and industrial environments.
Energy Efficiency: Dual-use LED lighting systems can both illuminate and transmit data, reducing energy and infrastructure costs.

Limitations of Li-Fi

Line-of-Sight Dependency: Li-Fi requires a direct line of sight between the transmitter and receiver; obstruction can weaken the connection.
Limited Range: Since light cannot penetrate walls, each room needs its own Li-Fi transmitter for complete coverage.
Ambient Light Interference: Bright ambient or sunlight may distort signals, making Li-Fi less effective outdoors.

Significance and Way Forward

Li-Fi represents a paradigm shift in communication technology, offering ultra-fast, secure, and eco-friendly connectivity. As smart cities, healthcare, and aviation sectors look for interference-free and high-speed data networks, India’s growing role in Li-Fi innovation positions it as a leader in next-generation communication solutions.