Union Budget 2025: Nirmala Sitharaman Announces Pradhan Mantri Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana to Boost Agricultural Productivity

New Delhi, February 1, 2025 – In a significant move for India’s agricultural sector, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the launch of the Pradhan Mantri Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana in her Union Budget 2025 speech. The program is aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity in 100 low-productivity districts across the country and is expected to benefit approximately 1.75 crore farmers.

Highlights of Pradhan Mantri Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana:

Targeting Underperforming Agricultural Districts

The Pradhan Mantri Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana is inspired by the Aspirational Districts Programme and will be implemented in partnership with state governments. The initiative will focus on districts with low agricultural productivity, moderate crop intensity, and below-average agricultural parameters. Sitharaman emphasized that this program would aim to transform these districts by providing the necessary resources and infrastructure for improved farming practices.

Highlight:

• Enhance agricultural productivity in targeted districts.
• Promote crop diversification and the adoption of sustainable farming practices.
• Improve post-harvest storage at the panchayat and block levels.
• Expand irrigation facilities to improve water usage efficiency.
• Provide both short-term and long-term credit for farmers.

The scheme is designed to increase farm incomes by improving crop yield and ensuring better post-harvest management, ultimately benefiting 1.75 crore farmers across the country.

Kisan Credit Card Scheme Enhancement

As part of the agricultural reforms, Sitharaman also highlighted the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme, which supports 7.7 crore farmers, including fishermen and dairy farmers. The loan limit under the KCC scheme will be increased from ₹3,000 to ₹5,000 under the modified interest subvention scheme. This move will provide farmers with enhanced access to short-term credit for agricultural needs.

Makhana Board to Benefit Bihar Farmers

In a special initiative for Bihar, Sitharaman announced the establishment of a Makhana Board in the state. The board will focus on improving the production, processing, and marketing of Makhana (fox nut). It will provide training and support to Makhana farmers by forming Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and ensuring they benefit from relevant government schemes.

Rural Prosperity and Resilience Programme

The Rural Prosperity and Resilience Programme was also unveiled as part of the Union Budget 2025 to address underemployment in agriculture. Sitharaman highlighted that the program would promote skilling, investment, and technology adoption in rural areas to revitalize the rural economy and provide new job opportunities in agriculture.

Focus on Oilseeds and Pulses Self-Sufficiency

The National Mission for Edible Oilseeds was reiterated as part of efforts to achieve self-sufficiency in edible oils. Sitharaman noted the government’s successful efforts in achieving self-sufficiency in pulses and outlined a new 6-year mission focused on tur and masoor pulses. The government will facilitate the procurement of these pulses through agencies like NAFED and NCCF.

Agricultural Budget 2024-25 Recap

The 2024-25 Union Budget allocated ₹1.52 lakh crore for agriculture, continuing the government’s focus on improving agricultural infrastructure and enhancing food security. Previous budget announcements included the introduction of 109 high-yielding and climate-resilient crop varieties and efforts to address challenges like stagnant yields and production shortages in key food crops.

Addressing Agricultural Sector Challenges

Despite the large proportion of the population dependent on agriculture, the sector continues to face issues like low efficiency and low-income levels for farmers. Experts argue that the agricultural sector needs commercialization and diversification to move forward. The initiatives announced in the Union Budget 2025, particularly the Pradhan Mantri Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana, are seen as vital steps in addressing these long-standing issues.

Conclusion

With a focus on improving agricultural productivity, increasing credit access, and enhancing post-harvest infrastructure, the Pradhan Mantri Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana is poised to bring substantial changes to India’s agricultural landscape. These initiatives reflect the government’s commitment to building a resilient and sustainable agricultural economy, improving the livelihoods of farmers and fostering rural prosperity across the nation.