PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana Year 2: Shivraj Chouhan pushes for farm income gains
Synopsis
One year in, India's flagship farm scheme PMDDKY is pivoting from setup to scorecards. Agriculture Minister Shivraj Chouhan is demanding visible income gains for farmers in 100 low-productivity districts — and the rankings of top-performing districts like Gaya, Nagaur, and Umaria signal that accountability is now part of the architecture.
Key Takeaways
Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan declared Year 2 of PMDDKY must deliver measurable farm income gains, speaking at the scheme's first anniversary event on 12 October 2026 .
The scheme covers 100 districts with low productivity, low cropping intensity, and limited agricultural credit, launched on 11 October 2025 under Union Budget 2025-26 .
Gaya (Bihar) , Nagaur (Rajasthan) , and Umaria (Madhya Pradesh) ranked first, second, and third overall among best-performing districts; 18 districts were also honoured across six objectives.
The Khet Bachao Abhiyan soil health campaign will run across all States from 22 October to 30 November 2026 , promoting balanced fertiliser use.
Chouhan called for stronger coordination between State Governments , district administrations, scientific institutions, and farmers to convert action plans into tangible results.
Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday, 12 October 2026, declared that the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY) must shift gear in its second year — moving from laying groundwork to delivering measurable improvements in farmers' incomes across 100 low-productivity districts in India. Speaking at an event marking the scheme's first anniversary in New Delhi, Chouhan called on all stakeholders to accelerate implementation and sharpen focus on quantifiable agricultural outcomes.
Key Priorities for Year Two
Chouhan outlined a clear agenda for the scheme's second year, centred on six key objectives: improving agricultural productivity, raising cropping intensity, strengthening irrigation and water management, expanding access to farm credit, promoting high-value agriculture, and upgrading post-harvest infrastructure. He stressed that the ultimate benchmark of PMDDKY's success would be the tangible difference it makes to farmers' daily lives.
The minister reaffirmed the Centre's commitment to working in concert with State Governments, district administrations, scientific institutions, and farming communities to convert district action plans into on-the-ground results. He emphasised a 'whole-of-government' approach, noting that participation from allied ministries underscored the coordinated strategy required for genuine agricultural transformation.
Top-Performing Districts Recognised
The anniversary event also served as a platform to honour outstanding district performance under PMDDKY. Gaya district, Bihar, secured the top position overall; Nagaur district, Rajasthan, ranked second; and Umaria district, Madhya Pradesh, came third. In addition, 18 districts received recognition for exemplary contributions across the scheme's six core objectives. The district-centric model — under which action plans are tailored to local soil conditions, rainfall patterns, water availability, and cropping systems — was credited by the Department of Agriculture Secretary as a key design strength.
Khet Bachao Abhiyan: Soil Health Campaign
Chouhan also highlighted the forthcoming Khet Bachao Abhiyan, a soil health drive scheduled across all States from 22 October to 30 November 2026. The campaign aims to encourage the balanced and judicious use of fertilisers to protect soil fertility, reduce environmental degradation, and preserve natural resources for future generations. The minister urged all State Governments and relevant authorities to actively participate and ensure the initiative's successful rollout.
About PMDDKY: Background and Scope
The Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana was announced in the Union Budget 2025-26 and formally launched on 11 October 2025. It targets 100 districts identified for low agricultural productivity, low cropping intensity, and insufficient farm credit disbursement. The scheme's overarching vision is to make all 100 PMDDKY districts 'Dhan-Dhaanya' — prosperous in both grain and income. With its first-year foundation now in place, the Centre faces the harder challenge of translating structural investments into verifiable income gains for farmers in some of India's most agriculturally stressed regions.
Point of View
When scheme architects must convert structural investments into income numbers that farmers actually feel. The district-ranking framework is a meaningful step toward accountability, but rankings without independently verified income data risk becoming a reputational exercise rather than a reform signal. With India's agricultural credit and productivity challenges running deep in these 100 districts, the Khet Bachao Abhiyan's fertiliser focus, while necessary, addresses one input variable in a far more complex equation. The Centre's credibility on farm welfare will ultimately rest on whether PMDDKY income gains can be disaggregated by district and independently audited — something the scheme's architecture has not yet made explicit.
NationPress
12 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY)?
PMDDKY is a Central government agricultural scheme announced in the Union Budget 2025-26 and formally launched on 11 October 2025. It targets 100 districts across India identified for low agricultural productivity, low cropping intensity, and insufficient farm credit disbursement, with the aim of enhancing farmers' incomes and agricultural outcomes.
Which districts performed best under PMDDKY in its first year?
Gaya district in Bihar ranked first overall, Nagaur district in Rajasthan ranked second, and Umaria district in Madhya Pradesh ranked third among all PMDDKY districts. An additional 18 districts were recognised for exemplary work across the scheme's six key objectives.
What is the Khet Bachao Abhiyan and when will it be held?
The Khet Bachao Abhiyan is a nationwide soil health campaign to be organised across all States from 22 October to 30 November 2026. It promotes the balanced and judicious use of fertilisers to maintain soil fertility, protect the environment, and preserve natural resources.
What are the key focus areas of PMDDKY in its second year?
Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan outlined six priorities: improving agricultural productivity, increasing cropping intensity, strengthening irrigation and water management, expanding access to farm credit, promoting high-value agriculture, and improving post-harvest infrastructure. The overarching goal is delivering measurable income gains for farmers in all 100 PMDDKY districts.
How are district action plans prepared under PMDDKY?
District action plans under PMDDKY are tailored to each district's specific conditions, including soil type, rainfall, cropping patterns, water availability, and local infrastructure needs. Implementation involves State Governments, District Collectors, District Nodal Officers, Central Nodal Officers, and Krishi Vigyan Kendra scientists.
