PM Modi launches ₹35,440cr agri schemes, interacts with farmers
What's the story
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched two major initiatives in the agriculture sector with a total outlay of ₹35,440 crore. The schemes, PM Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana and Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses, were launched at a special Krishi program at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute in New Delhi. The event was held to mark the birth anniversary of Loknayak Jaiprakash Narayan.
Scheme details
PM Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana
The PM Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana has an outlay of ₹24,000 crore. Its primary objectives include enhancing agricultural productivity and promoting sustainable practices. The scheme also aims to improve post-harvest storage facilities at the panchayat and block levels. Additionally, it seeks to improve irrigation infrastructure and provide long-term and short-term credit in 100 selected districts across India.
Scheme objectives
Mission for Aatmanirbharta in pulses
The second scheme, the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses, has an outlay of ₹11,440 crore. It aims to improve pulse productivity and expand cultivation areas. The mission also seeks to strengthen the value chain of pulses, including procurement, storage, and processing. Another key objective is to reduce post-harvest losses in pulse production. During the launch event, PM Modi also interacted with farmers.
Project inauguration
Inauguration of agriculture-related projects
Apart from launching the two schemes, PM Modi also inaugurated projects worth over ₹5,450 crore in agriculture-related sectors. These include an Artificial Insemination Training Center at Bengaluru and Jammu & Kashmir. He also laid the foundation stone for additional projects worth around ₹815 crore. Notable among these are Integrated Cold Chain Infrastructure in Krishna, Andhra Pradesh; Trout Fisheries in Uttarakhand; Smart Fishing Harbour in Karaikal, Puducherry; and Integrated Aquapark in Hirakud, Odisha.
Government achievements
Key milestones under government initiatives
The program also highlighted key milestones under government initiatives. These include 50 lakh farmer memberships in 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), with 1,100 FPOs recording an annual turnover of over ₹1 crore in 2024-25. Other achievements include certifying 50,000 farmers under the National Mission for Natural Farming and certifying 38,000 MAITRIs (Multi-Purpose AI Technicians in Rural India).