Gaya district in Bihar has emerged as the best-performing district under the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY), followed by Nagaur in Rajasthan and Umaria in Madhya Pradesh. The rankings were announced at an event in New Delhi on Monday to mark one year of the scheme, which aims to improve agricultural productivity and strengthen rural livelihoods across 100 selected districts.
Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan attended the programme, where 18 districts were also recognised for their performance across six key objectives. The event highlighted district-level initiatives, the importance of locally tailored agricultural planning and the need to improve coordination between Central and State Government programmes.
The minister also drew attention to the upcoming Khet Bachao Abhiyan, which will be conducted across all states from October 22 to November 30. The campaign will focus on improving soil health by encouraging farmers to use fertilisers in a balanced and judicious manner.
Khet Bachao Abhiyan to promote soil health
Chouhan called on State Governments and concerned authorities to ensure the effective implementation of the Khet Bachao Abhiyan. The campaign seeks to encourage sustainable farming practices and raise awareness about the importance of maintaining soil health.
Balanced fertiliser use is an important part of sustainable agriculture. Excessive or imbalanced application can affect soil quality and raise cultivation costs, while appropriate nutrient management can help farmers maintain productivity over time.
According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, the minister urged all stakeholders to work together to make the campaign effective. The initiative is expected to bring soil health and responsible fertiliser use into sharper focus during the agricultural season.
The campaign also forms part of the wider effort to improve agricultural sustainability, alongside better irrigation, crop diversification and the adoption of farming practices suited to local conditions.
Second year to focus on productivity and farmers’ income
Addressing the gathering, Chouhan said the first year of PMDDKY had focused on establishing a strong foundation for agricultural development. He said the next phase must concentrate on improving productivity and delivering visible benefits to farmers.
The priorities identified by the minister include increasing cropping intensity, strengthening irrigation and water management, promoting high-value agriculture, improving post-harvest infrastructure and expanding access to agricultural credit.
Cropping intensity can be increased by enabling farmers to cultivate more crops on the same land during a year. This requires reliable access to water, suitable crop choices, timely inputs and better farming support.
Similarly, the promotion of high-value agriculture can help farmers explore opportunities beyond conventional crops, depending on local conditions and market access. Improved storage and post-harvest infrastructure can also help reduce losses and allow farmers to manage the sale of their produce more effectively.
Chouhan said the scheme’s success would ultimately be judged by its impact on farmers’ lives. He reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to working with State Governments, district administrations, scientific institutions and farmers to develop all 100 identified districts as models of agricultural prosperity.
He also stressed the need for stronger coordination among stakeholders to ensure that planned interventions translate into practical outcomes at the district level.
District-centric planning and performance monitoring
A key feature of PMDDKY is its district-centric approach. Instead of relying on a uniform plan for every region, the scheme encourages district-level action plans based on local agricultural conditions and requirements.
In his welcome address, the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare explained that these plans take into account soil conditions, rainfall, cropping patterns, water availability, existing infrastructure and farmers’ needs.
This approach is intended to help districts identify their specific agricultural challenges and prioritise interventions accordingly. For example, a district facing water shortages may need to focus on water conservation and irrigation, while another with suitable growing conditions may have greater scope for horticulture or crop diversification.
The scheme tracks district performance against 121 indicators through a dedicated dashboard. Monthly rankings are designed to promote transparency, monitor progress and encourage healthy competition among the participating districts.
The Secretary acknowledged the contributions of State Governments, district officials, scientists from Krishi Vigyan Kendras and District Dhan-Dhaanya Samitis. These institutions and committees play a role in preparing action plans, coordinating interventions and supporting implementation at the local level.
Districts share local agricultural models
The programme also provided an opportunity for participating districts to present initiatives developed to address local agricultural challenges.
Gadchiroli in Maharashtra showcased its work on water conservation and drought resilience. The presentation highlighted the importance of managing water resources in areas where rainfall patterns and water availability can affect farming.
Alluri Sitharama Raju district presented its initiatives in high-value horticulture, demonstrating the role of locally suitable crops in agricultural development.
Banka in Bihar highlighted the Lilawaran Natural Farming Land Revival Model, an initiative focused on natural farming and the revival of agricultural land.
These presentations reflected the scheme’s emphasis on locally designed solutions and farmers’ participation. The experience of individual districts can also help identify practices that may be adapted in other regions facing similar challenges.
However, the long-term impact of such initiatives will depend on their implementation, continuity, suitability to local conditions and measurable benefits for farmers.
Eighteen districts recognised across six objectives
Apart from the overall rankings, 18 districts received recognition for their performance across six areas: agricultural productivity; crop diversification and sustainable farming; post-harvest storage; irrigation infrastructure; access to agricultural credit; and governance and service delivery.
The recognised districts were:
1. Agricultural productivity: Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in Maharashtra, Chitrakoot in Uttar Pradesh and Geyzing in Sikkim.
2. Crop diversification and sustainable farming: Mahoba in Uttar Pradesh, Dindori in Madhya Pradesh and Chamoli in Uttarakhand.
3. Post-harvest storage: Tikamgarh and Sidhi in Madhya Pradesh, along with Dantewada in Chhattisgarh.
4. Irrigation infrastructure: Kishtwar in Jammu and Kashmir, Dahod and Chhota Udaipur in Gujarat.
5. Access to agricultural credit: Narayanpet in Telangana, Jalaun in Uttar Pradesh and Sri Sathya Sai in Andhra Pradesh.
6. Governance and service delivery: Nagarkurnool in Telangana, Kachchh in Gujarat and Haveri in Karnataka.
The recognition highlights the different areas in which districts are working to improve agricultural outcomes. While productivity remains a central concern, storage, irrigation, credit and service delivery also influence farmers’ ability to manage cultivation and earn from their produce.
Access to agricultural credit, for instance, can help farmers meet cultivation expenses and invest in farm improvements. Better irrigation infrastructure can reduce dependence on uncertain rainfall, while storage facilities can help protect produce after harvesting.
Focus shifts to implementation and outcomes
The completion of one year of PMDDKY marks an opportunity to assess progress and strengthen implementation during the next phase. The scheme’s district-based framework places emphasis on identifying local needs, monitoring performance and coordinating government interventions.
The Khet Bachao Abhiyan, scheduled from October 22 to November 30, will add a nationwide focus on soil health and balanced fertiliser use. Alongside this campaign, the priorities outlined by Chouhan include improved productivity, water management, crop diversification, storage infrastructure and wider access to agricultural credit.
The programme concluded with a commitment to strengthen district-level planning, encourage innovation and improve coordination between Central and State Government schemes.
The next phase will be crucial in determining whether these measures lead to sustained improvements in farm productivity, resource management and farmers’ incomes across the 100 selected districts.
