Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana

The Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY) is a major new initiative by the Indian government aimed at transforming the agricultural sector, especially in regions facing significant challenges.

Key Points of PMDDKY:

• Launch and Budget:

  • The scheme was launched recently alongside the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses.

  • Total outlay: ?35,440 crore for both initiatives.

  • Annual budget: ?24,000 crore over six years (2025-26 to 2030-31), with a total of ?1.44 lakh crore.

• Target Beneficiaries:

  • 1.7 crore farmers, particularly small and marginal farmers (owning less than 2 hectares of land), who make up 86% of India’s farming population.

  • Focus areas: 100 underperforming districts that face issues such as low crop yields, water scarcity, and limited resources.

• Scheme Structure:

  • The PMDDKY consolidates 36 existing agricultural schemes across 11 ministries, including:

    • PM-KISAN (cash transfers),

    • PMFBY (crop insurance),

    • PMKSY (irrigation),

    • Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY).

• Target Areas for Improvement:

  • Regions with low crop yields (e.g., wheat yields below 3.5 tonnes per hectare compared to the national average).

  • Moderate cropping intensity (below 155%, indicating fewer crop cycles per year).

  • Limited access to credit.

Objectives of PMDDKY:

1. Increase Crop Yields: By 20-30% through improved inputs and technology (e.g., high-quality seeds, bio-fertilizers).

2. Irrigation: Provide advanced irrigation systems like drip and sprinkler to reduce reliance on monsoons.

3. Mechanization Support: Provide affordable farming tools to increase efficiency and reduce labor costs.

4. Storage Infrastructure: Build storage facilities to reduce post-harvest losses to under 5%.

5. Loans and Market Access: Direct access to loans and markets to help farmers double their incomes by 2030.

6. Sustainability: Promote organic farming and other sustainable practices to protect soil and water resources.

7. Diversified Income Sources: Support for women, youth, and allied sectors (e.g., dairy, fisheries, poultry) for a diversified farming income.

8. Self-Sufficiency: Increase domestic production of food grains, pulses, and oilseeds to reduce dependence on imports.

Key Benefits of PMDDKY:

• Increased Crop Yields:

  • Access to high-yielding seeds (e.g., hybrid wheat).

  • Bio-fertilizers and mechanized tools like seed drills.

• Higher Income:

  • Promote high-value crops like pulses and vegetables.

  • Direct market access through digital platforms like e-NAM and new PMDDKY apps, which reduce middlemen and increase profits by 20-40%.

• Sustainable Farming:

  • Use of organic fertilizers, water-saving irrigation, and climate-resilient crops.

  • Practices that maintain soil health and reduce environmental impact.

• Irrigation Systems:

  • Provide drip and sprinkler systems to ensure water availability and make farming viable year-round, even in dry regions.

• Storage Infrastructure:

  • Village-level warehouses and cold storage facilities to prevent spoilage and reduce post-harvest losses (targeting under 5% loss).

• Financial Support:

  • Subsidies for inputs (50-80% off).

  • Loans: Short-term (?50,000–?1 lakh) and long-term (?1–10 lakh) loans through Kisan Credit Cards or NABARD.

• Training and Skill Development:

  • Workshops on modern farming, drone use, and allied activities like beekeeping through Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs).

• Women Empowerment:

  • Support for 10,000 women producer groups, including training, loans, and market linkages for activities like dairy farming and organic farming.

• Global Exposure:

  • International training programs for 500 farmers in countries like Israel (drip irrigation), Japan (precision farming), and Netherlands (greenhouse technology).

Conclusion:

The Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY) is a significant step toward transforming India's agriculture by directly addressing the challenges faced by small farmers. By focusing on increased productivity, sustainable practices, better market access, and financial support, the scheme holds the potential to uplift millions of farmers, ensuring long-term economic benefits for the agriculture sector