The Union Cabinet has approved the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana, a transformative six-year initiative with an annual outlay of ₹24,000 crore to uplift agriculture in 100 underperforming districts across India. Announced in the 2025-26 Union Budget, the scheme aims to benefit 1.7 crore farmers by enhancing productivity, promoting sustainable practices, and improving infrastructure.

The program, inspired by the Aspirational Districts Programme, will integrate 36 existing schemes across 11 ministries, alongside state initiatives and private partnerships, to drive coordinated development. It targets districts with low productivity, moderate crop intensity, and limited credit access, ensuring at least one district per state or Union Territory is included.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted that the scheme will focus on crop diversification, sustainable farming, post-harvest storage, irrigation expansion, and better credit availability. “This will augment farm productivity and create local livelihoods,” he said, emphasizing its role in achieving Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).

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District-level plans, crafted by District Dhan Dhaanya Samitis including progressive farmers, will align with national goals like water conservation, soil health, and organic farming. Progress will be tracked monthly via a digital dashboard monitoring 117 key performance indicators, with NITI Aayog and Central Nodal Officers overseeing implementation.

Anish Shah, Group CEO & MD of Mahindra Group, praised the initiative as “a bold and visionary step” to unlock rural prosperity and accelerate sustainable agriculture. The scheme is expected to elevate national agricultural indicators as these 100 districts improve, fostering self-reliance and economic growth.

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