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.