Are Farmers in Bihar and Jharkhand Ready for the Game-Changing PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Annual budget of Rs 24,000 crore for farmers.
- This initiative targets 100 districts across India.
- Focus on empowering farmers and enhancing agricultural infrastructure.
- Integration of 36 existing schemes to streamline processes.
- Committees formed at District, State, and National levels for effective monitoring.
Rohtas, July 17 (NationPress) Farmers throughout Bihar and Jharkhand on Thursday embraced the government's newly introduced Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana, expressing hope that this initiative will revolutionize their agricultural practices and provide much-needed relief from ongoing financial and infrastructural issues.
With a substantial annual budget of Rs 24,000 crore, this program is designed to empower farmers and enhance agricultural growth in 100 targeted districts nationwide.
In an interview with IANS, farmers from Rohtas district in Bihar—renowned for its agricultural significance—voiced their support for the initiative, labeling it a pivotal advance in fortifying rural India.
Ashutosh Singh, a farmer from Rohtas, remarked, “This scheme feels like a double celebration for us. Rohtas is already a leader in agriculture, and with the PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana, government support will amplify our capabilities. I am incredibly thankful to Prime Minister Modi for considering us farmers.”
Krishna Kumar, another farmer, noted, “Previously, we had to navigate numerous bureaucratic hurdles for even minor benefits. Now, everything will be simplified. We can finally become self-sufficient.”
Santosh Kushwaha highlighted the scheme’s comprehensive nature: “An annual fund of Rs 24,000 crore is significant. More importantly, this initiative will integrate 36 existing schemes across 11 departments, private partnerships, and state programs. This all-encompassing approach will undoubtedly uplift farmers.”
Farmers in neighboring Jharkhand shared similar views.
Kunal, a farmer from Ranchi, expressed, “The Centre's approved scheme will directly assist us. We have long faced challenges due to inadequate infrastructure and limited credit access. This marks a fresh start.”
Shankar Mahto from Jharkhand added, “This initiative goes beyond just farmers—it’s about rural progress. Improved irrigation, increased credit access, and better infrastructure will benefit entire communities.”
Robin, another farmer, stated, “It’s a well-structured initiative. If executed properly, it can enact real changes in rural India. We are optimistic about its swift implementation.”
On Wednesday, the Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the 'Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana' for a span of six years, commencing in 2025-26, targeting 100 districts.
This scheme is inspired by NITI Aayog's Aspirational District Programme, a groundbreaking effort focusing specifically on agriculture and related sectors.
The objectives are to boost agricultural productivity, promote crop diversification and sustainable farming practices, enhance post-harvest storage at panchayat and block levels, improve irrigation facilities, and facilitate the availability of both long-term and short-term credit, as stated officially.
Announced as part of the Budget proposals for 2025-26, the objective is to develop 100 districts under the 'Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana'. The initiative will be executed through the convergence of 36 existing schemes from 11 Departments, along with additional State schemes and local private sector collaborations.
Identifying the 100 districts will be based on three critical indicators: low productivity, low cropping intensity, and minimal credit availability. The allocation of districts in each state or union territory will correspond to the share of Net Cropped Area and operational holdings, ensuring at least one district from each state is selected, as per official statements.
Committees will be established at the District, State, and National levels for efficient planning, execution, and monitoring of the Scheme. A District Agriculture and Allied Activities Plan will be drafted by the District Dhan Dhaanya Samiti, which will include progressive farmers as members.
The District Plans will align with national goals of crop diversification, water and soil health conservation, agricultural self-sufficiency, and the expansion of natural and organic farming.
The advancement of the scheme in each Dhan-Dhaanya district will be evaluated based on 117 key Performance Indicators through a monthly dashboard.
NITI Aayog will also oversee and guide the district plans. Additionally, Central Nodal Officers assigned to each district will regularly review the scheme, as detailed in the statement.
As the targeted results in these 100 districts improve, the overall national average against key performance indicators will also rise.