The Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY), launched in October 2025, has completed its first year of implementation. The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare marked the milestone on 12 October 2026 by convening district officials, agricultural scientists and progressive farmers to review progress and chart the path ahead. The scheme covers 100 districts identified for low agricultural productivity, weak cropping intensity and limited access to farm credit.
Key facts
- PMDDKY formally launched on 11 October 2025, announced in Union Budget 2025-26
- Covers 100 districts across India
- Integrates 36 Central schemes from 11 ministries and departments with state government schemes
- Gaya district, Bihar, ranked first among performing districts
- Nagaur district, Rajasthan, ranked second
- Umaria district, Madhya Pradesh, ranked third
- 18 additional districts recognised for excellence in specific objectives
- Districts monitored against 121 performance indicators via dedicated dashboard
- Khet Bachao Abhiyan campaign scheduled 22 October to 30 November 2026 to promote soil health through balanced fertiliser use
Scheme objectives and structure
PMDDKY aims to address agricultural challenges through six key priorities: enhancing farm productivity, encouraging crop diversification and sustainable practices, building post-harvest storage capacity at panchayat and block levels, improving irrigation infrastructure, expanding access to both short-term and long-term agricultural credit, and strengthening governance and service delivery.
The scheme operates through a district-centric approach. Each participating district prepares its own action plan tailored to local conditions including soil type, rainfall patterns, cropping systems, water resources and farmer needs. District-level Samitis coordinate planning and implementation, with participation from state governments, district collectors, central nodal officers, Krishi Vigyan Kendra scientists and field staff.
Performance monitoring and recognition
PMDDKY tracks district performance through 121 indicators displayed on a dedicated dashboard. Monthly rankings of district progress encourage transparency and friendly competition. This monthly measurement system aims to accelerate implementation and ensure districts prioritise measurable improvements.
The scheme recognised three districts as top performers overall. Beyond these three, 18 districts earned recognition for exemplary work in specific areas: Chatrapati Sambhaji Nagar and Chitrakoot in enhancing agricultural productivity; Mahoba, Dindori and Chamoli for crop diversification and sustainable practices; Tikamgarh and Sidhi for post-harvest storage expansion; Kishtwar, Dahod and Chhota Udepur for irrigation infrastructure; Narayanpet, Jalaun and Sri Sathya Sai for agricultural credit access; and Nagar Kurnool, Kachchh and Haveri for governance improvements.
What this means for farmers
For farmers in the 100 covered districts, the scheme promises coordinated support across multiple dimensions. Rather than accessing different schemes separately, farmers can benefit from converged implementation of 36 central schemes designed to raise yields, expand income opportunities through high-value crops, secure better storage facilities, access reliable irrigation and obtain institutional credit more easily.
District collectors and administrators now have clear performance targets monitored monthly. This creates accountability for translating scheme benefits into actual improvements in farm productivity and farmer incomes. Successful models from high-performing districts like Gadchiroli (water conservation), Alluri Sitharama Raju (high-value horticulture) and Banka (natural farming) can be adapted by other districts.
Year two focus and next steps
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated that the first year established foundations; the second year must deliver visible results on the ground. The ministry will focus on scaling up successful interventions and improving outcomes across all 100 districts. The stated vision is to make all participating districts truly “Dhan-Dhaanya” — prosperous through grain production and overall agricultural development.
The Khet Bachao Abhiyan campaign running from 22 October through 30 November 2026 forms part of this push. It aims to promote soil health through balanced and judicious fertiliser use, encouraging sustainable practices that maintain fertility, protect the environment and preserve natural resources.