Delhi, 16 July (H.S.): The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana, set to begin in 2025-26, covering 100 districts. This initiative, inspired by NITI Aayog’s Aspirational District Programme, focuses solely on agriculture and allied sectors. Its objectives include enhancing agricultural productivity, promoting crop diversification, improving post-harvest storage, irrigation facilities, and credit availability. The scheme aligns with Budget commitments to uplift 100 districts through the integration of 36 existing schemes across 11 Departments, alongside state initiatives and private sector partnerships.

Selection of the districts will be based on low productivity, cropping intensity, and credit disbursement, ensuring at least one district from each state/UT is included. Committees at various levels will facilitate effective planning and monitoring, with a District Agriculture and Allied Activities Plan developed by the District Dhan Dhaanya Samiti, which includes progressive farmers. Plans will target national goals like crop diversification and organic farming. The progress will be tracked using 117 key performance indicators on a monthly dashboard, with oversight from NITI Aayog and Central Nodal Officers.

As these districts achieve targeted outcomes, national indicators are expected to improve, leading to greater productivity, value addition, and local livelihood enhancement, ultimately contributing to self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat).

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar