n a significant move to revitalize India’s rural economy and strengthen food security, the Indian government has launched the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PM-DDKY). With a bold vision, PM-DDKY consolidates 36 existing agricultural schemes into a single, integrated programme, specifically targeting 100 underperforming districts across the country. The scheme's holistic approach is aimed at resolving persistent agricultural challenges and empowering India's smallholder farmers.
The Need for a Unified Agricultural Scheme
India's agricultural sector, which supports over 50% of the population, has long been fragmented by overlapping schemes, siloed execution, and uneven outcomes. The existing programmes covered a range of objectives — from irrigation and credit support to crop insurance and post-harvest infrastructure — but often lacked synergy.
**PM-DDKY addresses this fragmentation by:
Unifying strategy and execution
Simplifying access for farmers
Improving accountability through central monitoring
Directing attention to low-performing districts**
With an annual allocation of ₹24,000 crore over six years, the programme is set to reorient the agricultural landscape, aiming to reach 1.7 crore farmers.
Key Features and Implementation Strategy
Targeting 100 Under-Performing Districts The selected districts, spread across various states, are identified based on agricultural productivity, irrigation deficits, low credit penetration, and rural infrastructure gaps.
Merging 36 Schemes Existing schemes such as PM-KISAN, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Soil Health Cards, and PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana are integrated under PM-DDKY to eliminate redundancy and ensure cohesive planning.
District-Level Agriculture Plans (DLAPs) Each district will develop a customized DLAP, aligned with local agro-climatic and socio-economic conditions. These plans will be implemented through:
District-level convergence teams
Collaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and NGOs
117 Key Performance Indicators The performance of each district will be evaluated across 117 parameters, including:
Farmer income growth
Access to credit and insurance
Post-harvest loss reduction
Focus Areas
Improved Irrigation: Expansion of micro-irrigation and water harvesting structures
Post-Harvest Infrastructure: Cold chains, warehouses, processing units
Crop Diversification: Promotion of high-value crops, millets, pulses, and horticulture
Access to Credit: Streamlined Kisan Credit Card (KCC) issuance and agri-fintech solutions
Benefits for Farmers
Integrated Support: Farmers will no longer need to navigate multiple schemes. A single-window access approach will simplify enrollment and reduce administrative delays.
Location-Specific Interventions: Unlike one-size-fits-all programmes, PM-DDKY offers region-specific solutions.
Boosted Income: Enhanced productivity, better storage, reduced post-harvest losses, and diversified cropping will improve earnings.
Risk Reduction: Improved irrigation and insurance coverage will help mitigate climate and market shocks.
Technology Integration
To enhance transparency, implementation, and monitoring, the scheme incorporates:
Digital Dashboards for real-time tracking
Remote Sensing and GIS for planning and evaluation
Mobile-based advisory services for farmer awareness
Data-sharing platforms across ministries for coordinated actions
The role of AI and big data is expected to grow in predictive yield modelling, climate risk analysis, and supply chain optimization.
Addressing Systemic Challenges
PM-DDKY is not just a bundling of schemes; it’s a rethinking of how agricultural support is delivered:
From Fragmentation to Convergence: Ensures holistic planning
From Input-centric to Outcome-centric: Focuses on actual improvement in farmers' lives
From Centralized to Decentralized: Encourages local ownership and accountability
However, the scheme’s success will depend on:
Capacity-building at the local level
Seamless digital infrastructure
Timely fund release
Strong grievance redressal mechanisms
Wider Impacts: Beyond Agriculture
PM-DDKY is expected to have ripple effects:
Employment: Through expanded storage, logistics, and agro-processing
Climate Resilience: Water conservation, soil health, and crop diversity
Food Security: More consistent and diverse food production
Rural Economy: Strengthening value chains and rural enterprises
Global Relevance
India’s experiment with PM-DDKY offers a model for other developing nations grappling with fragmented agricultural systems. It combines policy integration, technological tools, and grassroots planning into a scalable, accountable framework.
Conclusion
The PM-Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana represents a transformative step toward building resilient, productive, and inclusive agriculture in India. By converging existing schemes, focusing on underperforming districts, and leveraging digital governance, the government aims to build a system where no farmer is left behind.
The success of this initiative could mark a turning point, not just in agricultural output, but in farmer dignity and rural prosperity.
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