Context: In the Union Budget 2025-26, the Finance Minister announced several new initiatives for the agriculture sector, including the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana.
Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana.
About Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana
- The scheme will be launched in partnership with states through the convergence of existing schemes and specialised measures.
- No separate allocation has been made for the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana, however, there are allocations for existing schemes which are to be converged:
- Rs 1,000 crore has been allocated for the mission for pulses.
- Rs 500 crore for the mission for vegetables and fruits.
- Rs 100 crore support for the Makhana Board.
- Rs 100 crore for the mission on hybrid seeds.
- Rs 500 crore for the cotton technology mission.
- In phase 1, It will be launched in 100 districts with low crop productivity, moderate crop intensity and below-average credit parameters.
- It is expected to benefit 1.7 crore farmers spread across the targeted districts.
- The scheme draws inspiration from the Aspirational Districts Program and would drive focused reforms to uplift farmers in underdeveloped agricultural regions.
Key focus of PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana
- Enhance agricultural productivity
- Adopt crop diversification and sustainable agriculture practices
- Augment post-harvest storage at the panchayat and block level
- Improve irrigation facilities
- Facilitate availability of long-term and short-term credit.
Components:
Rural Prosperity and Resilience Program:
- It aims at addressing under-employment in agriculture through skilling, investment, technology, and invigorating the rural economy.
- The goal is to generate ample opportunities in rural areas so that migration is an option, but not a necessity.
- The programme will focus on rural women, young farmers, rural youth, marginal and small farmers, and landless families.
- Global and domestic best practices will be incorporated and appropriate technical and financial assistance will be sought from multilateral development banks.
Aatmanirbharta in Pulses:
- The government will launch a 6-year mission with a special focus on Tur, Urad and Masoor.
- The Mission will place emphasis on development and commercial availability of climate resilient seeds; enhancing protein content; increasing productivity; improving post-harvest storage and management and assuring remunerative prices to the farmers.
- Central Agencies (NAFED and NCCF) will procure these 3 pulses, as much as offered during the next 4 years from farmers who register with these agencies and enter into agreements.
Comprehensive Programme for Vegetables & Fruits:
- A comprehensive programme to promote production, efficient supplies, processing, and remunerative prices for farmers will be launched in partnership with states.
- Appropriate institutional mechanisms for implementation and participation of farmer producer organizations and cooperatives will be set up.
Grameen Credit Score: Public Sector Banks will develop the ‘Grameen Credit Score’ framework to serve the credit needs of SHG members and people in rural areas.