Fast-tracking agri renaissance: PM Modi unveils ‘Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana’ across 100 lagging districts

In a decisive push to transform India’s agricultural heartlands, the Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has cleared the decks for a new flagship initiative — the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana. Set to roll out from the 2025–26 fiscal year, the six-year programme zeroes in on 100 underperforming districts, aiming to elevate them through targeted agricultural and allied sector interventions.

This marks a first-of-its-kind effort, drawing inspiration from NITI Aayog’s Aspirational Districts Programme but shifting the spotlight squarely to farming. The scheme’s mission is unambiguous: to boost yields, fast-track crop diversification, mainstream sustainable practices, and close critical gaps in irrigation, storage, and agri-credit.

The 100 districts will be chosen using a performance-linked formula—low productivity, minimal cropping intensity, and lagging credit penetration. States will receive allocations in proportion to their share of India’s net sown area and active farm holdings, although every state and UT will have at least one district represented.

To drive implementation, the scheme leverages the power of convergence — stitching together 36 central schemes from 11 ministries, along with state programs and private-sector partnerships. District-level committees, called Dhan-Dhaanya Samitis, will craft localized agri-blueprints, incorporating voices from grassroots farmers. These plans will echo national objectives around natural farming, soil-water conservation, and self-sufficiency.

Performance will be anything but an afterthought. The initiative is backed by a rigorous dashboard tracking 117 key indicators monthly. NITI Aayog will steer strategic oversight, while dedicated central officers will provide boots-on-the-ground reviews.

Industry Sees Transformational Potential

The private sector, long invested in rural growth, has welcomed the move.

“The Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana is a bold and visionary step toward transforming Indian agriculture at the grassroots level,” said Anish Shah, Group CEO & Managing Director, Mahindra Group. “By focusing on 100 districts with targeted support and convergence across schemes, this initiative has the potential to unlock rural prosperity, drive crop diversification, and accelerate the adoption of sustainable practices. At Mahindra, we remain deeply committed to partnering in this national mission-through our work in farm equipment, agri-tech innovations, and rural financing to help farmers enhance productivity, build resilience, and create value across the agri value chain. This is a significant leap toward self-reliance in agriculture and inclusive rural development.”

If the government’s bet pays off, the impact could be systemic. By raising the floor for India’s weakest agri districts, national averages will rise in lockstep. The expected dividends? A surge in productivity, improved post-harvest value chains, stronger rural livelihoods, and a step closer to Atmanirbhar Bharat in food and farm resilience.