Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched two major schemes in the agriculture sector: the PM Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana and the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses. These initiatives represent a significant investment of ₹35,440 crore aimed at transforming Indian agriculture.
The launch took place during a special Krishi programme at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute in New Delhi, coinciding with the birth anniversary of Loknayak Jaiprakash Narayan. This event underscored the Prime Minister’s ongoing dedication to supporting farmers and improving agricultural infrastructure.
The PM Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana, with an allocation of ₹24,000 crore, is designed to significantly enhance agricultural productivity. Key objectives include promoting crop diversification and sustainable farming practices, strengthening post-harvest storage at the local level, improving irrigation systems, and ensuring easier access to both short-term and long-term credit for farmers in 100 selected districts.
Complementing this is the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses, a ₹11,440 crore endeavor focused on boosting pulse cultivation. This mission aims to increase productivity, expand the cultivation area for pulses, improve the entire value chain from procurement and storage to processing, and minimize post-harvest losses.
During the Krishi programme, Prime Minister Modi engaged directly with farmers, highlighting his administration’s commitment to their welfare and the goal of agricultural self-sufficiency. The event also served to celebrate advancements in farmer-centric programs and the strengthening of rural infrastructure.
Beyond the two main schemes, the Prime Minister also inaugurated several development projects valued at over ₹5,450 crore. These projects span critical sectors like agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries, and food processing. Additionally, the foundation stones were laid for new projects worth approximately ₹815 crore, signaling continued investment in the sector’s growth.
The inaugurated projects include an Artificial Insemination Training Center in Bengaluru and the Jammu & Kashmir region, Centers of Excellence in Amreli and Banas, an IVF Lab in Assam, Milk Powder Plants in Mehsana, Indore, and Bhilwara, and a Fish Feed Plant in Assam, among others. These developments are expected to drive modernization and efficiency across various agricultural sub-sectors.
The foundation stones laid include projects for Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure in Andhra Pradesh, Trout Fisheries in Uttarakhand, Integrated Aqua Parks in Nagaland and Odisha, and a Smart and Integrated Fishing Harbour in Puducherry. These initiatives are poised to enhance agricultural logistics, processing capabilities, and value chain development.
The programme also celebrated significant achievements in government agricultural initiatives. These include 50 lakh farmer memberships across 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), with 1,100 FPOs achieving an annual turnover exceeding ₹1 crore. Further milestones include the certification of 50,000 farmers in natural farming, training for 38,000 rural technicians, and the digitization of over 10,000 cooperative societies. Many PACS have also diversified to become Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samriddhi Kendras and Common Service Centres, showcasing a commitment to integrated rural development.