Published on October 13, 2025
Delhi, India
In a resounding commitment to “Beej se Bazaar tak” (from seed to market), Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched two transformative agriculture schemes totaling ₹35,440 crore on October 11, 2025, at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) in New Delhi. The Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (₹24,000 crore) and the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses (₹11,440 crore) aim to revolutionize farming in 100 aspirational districts, fostering self-reliance, boosting incomes, and ensuring nutritional security. Amid India’s milestone of leading global milk production and ranking second in fish output, these initiatives integrate 36 existing programs to tackle persistent challenges like import dependencies and low productivity. With over 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) already empowered and women-led innovations like drone spraying on the rise, Modi’s vision promises a “new era of rural empowerment and agricultural innovation,” directly impacting crores of farmers and transforming backward regions into agri-hubs.
Background: Building on a Decade of Agri-Reforms
Since 2014, India’s agriculture sector has surged with foodgrain production up by 90 million tonnes, honey and egg outputs doubled, and six new fertilizer plants operational. Key enablers include 250 million soil health cards distributed, micro-irrigation spanning 100 lakh hectares, and ₹2 lakh crore disbursed via Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana. GST reforms have slashed costs on tractors, organic fertilizers, and bio-pesticides, doubling rural household savings. Yet, challenges persist: Heavy pulse imports (despite pulses being a vital protein source) and uneven district-level growth. The October 11 launch, attended by Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and other dignitaries, builds on the Aspirational Districts Programme’s convergence model—focusing on competition and collaboration in infrastructure like roads, schools, and healthcare—to accelerate rural progress. As Modi emphasized, “These schemes will usher in self-reliance, benefiting crores of farmers,” aligning with Viksit Bharat @2047 goals for doubled farmer incomes by 2025-26.
Key Changes: Breaking Down the Two Flagship Schemes
The duo of schemes marks a shift from fragmented interventions to integrated, district-centric strategies, emphasizing diversification, technology, and market linkages. Implementation kicks off from the upcoming rabi season through 2030-31, targeting high-impact areas.
- Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (₹24,000 crore): A holistic umbrella integrating 36 schemes like National Mission on Natural Farming, Per Drop More Crop (micro-irrigation), and Oilseeds Mission. It promotes crop diversification, sustainable practices, enhanced irrigation, storage, and credit access, alongside livestock development. Focus: 100 low-performing aspirational districts for comprehensive transformation.
- Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses (Dalhan Atmanirbharta Mission, ₹11,440 crore): Targets expanding pulse cultivation by 35 lakh hectares, improving procurement, and scaling processing units. Objectives: Cut imports, ensure plant-based protein security, and foster self-reliance. Direct reach: Nearly 2 crore pulse farmers nationwide.
Additionally, Modi inaugurated projects worth ₹5,450 crore in animal husbandry, fisheries, food processing, and agriculture—including cold chains, aquaparks, integrated fishing harbors, and upgraded Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) into multi-service hubs for better rural credit.
Comparison Table: Pre-Launch vs. Post-Launch Agri-Landscape
| Aspect | Pre-2025 Challenges | 2025 Schemes’ Interventions |
|---|---|---|
| Funding Scale | Fragmented allocations across 36 schemes | Unified ₹35,440 crore for integrated push |
| Geographic Focus | Uneven district coverage | 100 aspirational districts prioritized |
| Pulse Production | High import reliance (35 lakh ha shortfall) | +35 lakh ha cultivation; 2 crore farmers |
| Diversification | Staple crop dominance | Sustainable farming, natural methods, FPOs |
| Women Empowerment | Limited tech access | Drone training, Krishi Sakhis, Lakhpati Didis |
| Infrastructure | Basic storage/irrigation gaps | ₹5,450 crore projects: Cold chains, harbors |
These changes aim for 80%+ employability in agri-value chains, per ministry projections.
Benefits: Empowering Farmers, Women, and Rural Economies
These schemes aren’t mere handouts—they’re catalysts for inclusive growth. For the 2 crore pulse farmers, the Pulses Mission means stable incomes via assured procurement and reduced import bills (saving ₹10,000 crore annually). The Dhan-Dhaanya Yojana’s diversification push could lift yields by 20-30% in aspirational districts, curbing migration and boosting exports (e.g., honey triples in value). Women, via ‘Lakhpati Didis’ and Krishi Sakhis, gain leadership in eco-farming and tech like AI soil testing—empowering 1 crore+ rural women with skills for ₹1 lakh+ annual earnings.
Broader wins: Enhanced nutritional security (pulses as protein staple), climate-resilient practices (natural farming certification), and FPO-led market access for 10,000+ groups. Economic ripple: Agri-GDP contribution could rise to 20% by 2030, creating 5 crore jobs. As Modi noted, “Reforms from seed to market have transformed fortunes—now, these schemes will accelerate that vision.”
Implementation Roadmap: From Launch to Lasting Impact
A phased, tech-driven rollout ensures swift execution:
- Phase 1 (Rabi 2025-26): Pilot in 100 districts; train 50,000 Krishi Sakhis; expand pulse sowing in 10 states.
- Phase 2 (2026-28): Scale micro-irrigation to 50 lakh ha; certify 1 lakh natural farms; integrate PACS with digital marketplaces.
- Phase 3 (2029-31): Full self-reliance in pulses; evaluate via NITI Aayog dashboards for 15% income uplift. Support: ₹2,000 crore seed fund for FPOs; AI apps for crop advisory; convergence with PM-KISAN for direct benefits. Monitoring: Quarterly reviews by a national task force, with 70% fund utilization target in Year 1. Challenges like climate variability are addressed via insured diversification.
