Jammu, Oct 13: Kishtwar and Baramulla – the two districts in Jammu and Kashmir- are among out of 100 selected districts across India, to be developed as “Aspirational Agricultural Districts” under the PM Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PM-DDKY) – one of the two transformative initiatives in agri sector launched by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on October 11.
The PM-DDKY is a coordinated initiative involving 36 sub-schemes across 11 ministries, designed to accelerate agricultural progress in aspirational districts.
As per the J&K Agriculture department officials, the selection of these districts was based on key indicators such as low crop productivity, low cropping intensity, and lesser disbursement of short-term credit to farmers.
“The focus in Kishtwar under the scheme will be on improving the agricultural sector through enhanced crop productivity, promotion of crop diversification, development of irrigation infrastructure and strengthening of post-harvest management facilities,” the officials said.
“Similarly, efforts will be made to accelerate agricultural progress in Baramulla district,” they added.
Reiterating his commitment to “double farmers’ incomes and achieve food and nutritional security for the country”, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday had launched PM Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY) and Dalhan Atmanirbharta Mission (DAM) -, with an outlay of Rs 35,440 Cr.
“The Government of India will invest over Rs 35,000 Cr in these initiatives, reflecting its unwavering commitment to doubling farmers’ incomes and achieving food and nutritional security for the country,” PM Modi said.
PM-DDKY has an outlay of Rs.24,000 Cr while Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses has an outlay of Rs 11,440 Cr.
According to the Prime Minister, the PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana drew inspiration from the success of the Aspirational Districts Programme.
While outlining the strategy of convergence, collaboration, and competition for transformation in these districts, the Prime Minister reiterated that the selection of these 100 districts under PMDDKY was 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 asserted.
Under the PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana, localized livestock health campaigns will also be launched to ensure continued care and disease prevention at the grassroots level.
Just like the aspirational districts programme, the PMDDKY 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,” the Prime Minister emphasised.
