India’s agriculture sector has significant potential across diverse regions and farming communities. However, despite rich potential, many areas face challenges like low productivity, inadequate irrigation, limited access to credit, and lack of post-harvest infrastructure.

As a result, these areas are not able to attain their full agricultural potential and lag behind in economic development. 

PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY) seeks to address these gaps, and develop 100 Aspirational Agricultural Districts through focused intervention.

By addressing district-specific needs the scheme can help unlock opportunities in productivity, irrigation, credit access, and post-harvest infrastructure. 

PMDDKY was approved by the Union Cabinet on 16th July, 2025 for a period of six years, and was formally launched by Hon’ble Prime Minister on 11th October, 2025. It celebrates its first anniversary on 11th October this year.

The six-year initiative, beginning with 2025-26, focuses on transforming agriculture and allied activities across 100 Aspirational Agricultural Districts. These districts were identified using three key indicators: low productivity, low cropping intensity, and less agricultural credit disbursement.

The selection also considered the share of net cropped area and operational holdings in each State and Union Territory. Each State has at least one selected district.

The scheme is being implemented through the convergence of 36 Central schemes across 11 Ministries and Departments, State schemes and private sector participation, enabling interventions suited to local agricultural priorities.