New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today unveiled two major agricultural schemes with a total investment of ₹35,440 crore, aimed at boosting India’s farm productivity, ensuring self-reliance in pulses, and strengthening rural infrastructure. The announcement was made during a special ‘Krishi Programme’ organised to mark the government’s continued focus on farmers’ welfare and agri-sector development.
The two flagship initiatives include the Pradhan Mantri Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PM-DDKY) with an outlay of ₹24,000 crore and the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses, worth ₹11,440 crore. Both schemes are designed to enhance agricultural sustainability, promote crop diversification, and improve the post-harvest ecosystem across the country.
Under the PM-DDKY, the Centre plans to support 100 low-performing agricultural districts by providing better irrigation facilities, improved storage and processing infrastructure, and enhanced credit access. The scheme aims to empower small and marginal farmers by facilitating modern technology and capacity-building at the grassroots level.
The Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses, on the other hand, seeks to make India self-sufficient in pulse production and reduce dependence on imports. It will focus on increasing yield, minimising post-harvest losses, and strengthening the value chain through processing and storage facilities.
Both initiatives have received Cabinet approval and will be implemented from the upcoming Rabi season (2025-26), running until 2030-31. Officials said the schemes are expected to contribute significantly to India’s agricultural GDP and align with the government’s broader goal of doubling farmers’ income.
In addition to these schemes, Prime Minister Modi also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for several agriculture and allied sector projects worth ₹5,450 crore. These include cold chain facilities, dairy processing units, integrated aquaparks, fisheries infrastructure, and livestock development initiatives. Some projects are part of the Rashtriya Gokul Mission, aimed at promoting indigenous cattle breeding and milk productivity.
Addressing farmers and agricultural stakeholders at the event, Modi said the government’s efforts are focused on ensuring that India’s “annadatas” (food providers) receive modern tools, technology, and fair value for their produce. He emphasised that self-reliance in the pulses sector would mark a major step toward achieving true agricultural independence.
The Prime Minister also interacted with farmers engaged in pulses cultivation and encouraged them to adopt new techniques for higher productivity and sustainable farming practices.
