Rs 35,440-Crore Push For India's Agriculture Sector: PM Modi Launches PM Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana And Pulses Mission

Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled two major initiatives — PM Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana and Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses — with a combined investment of Rs 35,440 crore on Saturday (11 October), aimed at transforming India’s agricultural landscape.

The schemes were launched at a special Krishi programme at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute held in New Delhi on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Loknayak Jaiprakash Narayan.

According to the PMO, the Rs 24,000-crore PM Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana seeks to enhance agricultural productivity, increase adoption of crop diversification and sustainable agriculture practices, augment post-harvest storage at the panchayat and block level, improve irrigation facilities and facilitate availability of long-term and short-term credit in the selected 100 districts.

The Rs 11,440-crore Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses is aimed at improving productivity levels of pulses, expanding the area under pulse cultivation, strengthening the value chain – procurement, storage, processing – and ensuring reduction of losses.

During the event, PM Modi interacted with farmers, reaffirming his government’s focus on self-reliant agriculture and rural development.

He also inaugurated and dedicated to the nation projects valued at over Rs 5,450 crore in the agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries, and food processing sectors, while laying the foundation stone for additional projects worth around Rs 815 crore.

Addressing the event, PM Modi reiterated the government’s focus on empowering farmers through innovation, investment, and market access, making them key drivers of a self-reliant and developed India.

Modi emphasised that the inspiration behind the PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana comes directly from the success of the Aspirational Districts model.

“The selection of these 100 districts has been carried out with thoughtful consideration and based on three key parameters, First, the level of agricultural output per unit of land. Second, the number of times crops are cultivated on the same land within a year. Third, the availability and extent of institutional loans or investment facilities for farmers,” PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister reiterated that just like the Aspirational Districts Programme, the PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana places a significant responsibility not only on the farmers but also on local government officials, particularly the District Magistrate or Collector of each district.

The design of this scheme allows flexibility so that the planning can be tailored according to the specific needs of each district.

“Therefore, I earnestly urge the farmers and district leaders to prepare district-level action plans that are suited to the local soil and climate conditions”, PM Modi emphasised.

On the scheme for pulses, PM Modi said that the Dalhan Atmanirbharata Mission is aimed not only at increasing pulse production but also at strengthening the future generations of the country.

The Prime Minister highlighted that India’s farmers have recently achieved record production of food grains such as wheat and rice, positioning India among the world’s top producers.

“However, there is a need to look beyond just flour and rice for sustenance. While these staples can relieve hunger, proper nutrition requires a more diverse diet. Protein, especially for the largely vegetarian population of India, plays a critical role in both physical and mental growth. Pulses remain the most significant source of plant-based protein” PM Modi noted.

“The Dalhan Atmanirbharata Mission seeks to address this challenge by boosting domestic pulse production, thereby enhancing nutritional security and self-reliance. The Dalhan Atmanirbharata Mission, with an investment of over 11,000 crore rupees, will provide substantial support to farmers”, he emphasised.

PM Modi highlighted that the goal is to increase the area under pulse cultivation by 35 lakh hectares.

Under this mission, production of tur, urad, and masoor pulses will be increased, and a proper system for procurement of pulses will be ensured. This will directly benefit nearly two crore pulse farmers across the country.

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Also Read:  Cabinet Clears Rs 11,440 Crore Mission To Make India Self-Reliant In Pulses; To Benefit 2 Crore Farmers