Has J&K's Kishtwar Been Chosen as an Aspirational Agricultural District Under PMDDKY?
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Synopsis
Discover how Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district is set to undergo a transformative journey as it has been selected as an aspirational agricultural district under the Prime Minister’s Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY). This initiative promises to boost agricultural productivity and inspire local entrepreneurs, marking a new chapter in the region's agricultural landscape.
Key Takeaways
- Kishtwar district is now recognized as an aspirational agricultural district under PMDDKY.
- The initiative aims to support 1.7 crore farmers directly.
- Focus on enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability.
- Significant budget allocation of Rs 24,000 crore for the initiative.
- Coordination of existing programs to minimize duplication and maximize impact.
Jammu, Sep 29 (NationPress) The Kishtwar district in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has been recognized as an aspirational agricultural district under the Prime Minister’s Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY) initiative, as announced by Union MoS (PMO) Dr. Jitendra Singh on Monday.
Kishtwar falls within the Udhampur Lok Sabha constituency, represented in the Lok Sabha by Dr. Jitendra Singh.
The minister stated on X on Monday, “Following PM @narendramodi’s insightful recommendation to develop 100 districts nationwide as #AspirationalAgriculturalDistricts under PM Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (#PMDDKY)… the Kishtwar district in #JammuAndKashmir has been selected as an 'Aspirational Agricultural District'.
“My gratitude to Minister of Agriculture Shivraj Singh Chouhan (@ChouhanShivraj) ji for his support in this endeavor.
“I am confident that this will lead to an agricultural uplift and inspire Agri-Entrepreneurs/#StartUps in this remote area, which has been overlooked for many years by previous governments.
“Following the well-received 'Purple Revolution' from #Bhaderwah, this initiative has the potential to be another significant agricultural development from the historical #Doda district region.”
On July 16, the Union Cabinet sanctioned the PMDDKY — a transformative initiative aimed at reshaping India's agricultural landscape.
First introduced in the Union Budget for 2025–26, this scheme is set to stimulate growth in 100 agricultural districts through a saturation-based convergence of 36 Central schemes across 11 Ministries, with an annual budget of Rs 24,000 crore for six years starting from FY 2025–26.
This convergence will also involve state schemes and local collaborations with the private sector. Rather than introducing new frameworks, PMDDKY focuses on the coordinated delivery of existing initiatives to reach the final farmer, minimizing duplication and amplifying impact.
The scheme draws inspiration from the successful Aspirational District Programme and is expected to directly benefit 1.7 crore farmers.
The Aspirational Districts Programme aims to swiftly and effectively transform the 112 most underprivileged districts across the nation.
PMDDKY intends to serve as a multi-faceted rural development intervention. Its five principal objectives include: enhancing agricultural productivity, promoting crop diversification and sustainable farming practices, improving post-harvest storage capacities at panchayat and block levels, upgrading irrigation infrastructure for reliable water access, and facilitating better access to short-term and long-term agricultural credit for farmers.
These goals are designed not only to elevate farm incomes but also to ensure climate-resilient and market-oriented farming systems.
Point of View
It reflects a significant effort by the government to address long-standing agricultural challenges in the region. This initiative, part of the broader PMDDKY scheme, aims to empower farmers and stimulate local economies. It is a commendable step towards ensuring that even the most remote areas receive the attention and resources they deserve. The commitment to enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability is a vision that we must all support.
NationPress
29/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the PMDDKY initiative?
The PMDDKY, or Prime Minister's Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana, is a program launched to transform India's agricultural framework across various districts, focusing on enhancing productivity and sustainability.
How many districts will benefit from the PMDDKY?
The PMDDKY aims to develop 100 agricultural districts across the country as part of its initiative.
What are the main objectives of the PMDDKY?
The main objectives include enhancing agricultural productivity, promoting sustainable practices, improving storage capacity, upgrading irrigation infrastructure, and facilitating better access to credit for farmers.
Who announced the selection of Kishtwar?
The selection of Kishtwar as an aspirational agricultural district was announced by Union MoS (PMO) Dr. Jitendra Singh.
What is the expected impact of this initiative?
The initiative is expected to boost agricultural productivity, inspire local entrepreneurs, and ultimately improve the economic conditions of farmers in the Kishtwar district.
