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Chouhan calls for boosting farm productivity under PMDDKY
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Thursday, 15 October, 2026, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Our Bureau, Mumbai
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The Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan has called for coordinated efforts across government departments to improve agricultural productivity and farmers’ incomes under the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY).
Addressing a national conference on PMDDKY at the Bharat Ratna C. Subramaniam Auditorium at the Pusa campus in New Delhi, Chouhan emphasised the importance of district-level planning based on ground realities, regular monitoring and convergence among ministries to accelerate agricultural development.
The conference brought together district collectors, scientists, policymakers and senior officials from more than 50 districts across the country. Chouhan felicitated districts for their outstanding performance and urged officials to work towards the vision of a developed and prosperous India.
Highlighting the importance of localised planning, the minister said district agricultural action plans under PMDDKY had been prepared by district collectors based on local conditions rather than through a centralised approach. He called for monthly reviews of implementation, directing officials to intensify interdepartmental coordination wherever progress was slow.
Chouhan stressed that improving farmers’ incomes required the combined efforts of several ministries and institutions. These include the Ministry of Jal Shakti for water management, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries for processing and value addition, and the Ministry of Cooperation for strengthening collective farming initiatives and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs). He also highlighted the contribution of animal husbandry, dairy, fisheries, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and skill development in creating additional income opportunities for farmers.
The minister underlined the need to strengthen the connection between agricultural research and farming practices. Research conducted by nearly 16,000 scientists associated with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), along with the work of Krishi Vigyan Kendras, the Agricultural Technology Management Agency and agricultural universities, should reach farmers directly, he said.
PMDDKY focuses on 100 districts identified for relatively low agricultural productivity, low cropping intensity or inadequate institutional credit flow. Chouhan called for promoting pulses and oilseeds in rice fallow areas through a mission-mode approach to improve land utilisation and increase agricultural output.
He also stressed the need to expand coverage under the Kisan Credit Card scheme and accelerate institutional credit, particularly in eastern India and underdeveloped districts. Timely access to finance is essential for farmers to adopt advanced agricultural technologies and use improved seeds and fertilisers, he added.
Encouraging district officials to pursue ambitious development targets, Chouhan said coordinated action and determination could help transform agricultural outcomes. He reiterated the government’s commitment to accelerating development efforts and said the agriculture and rural development machinery would work towards fulfilling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of faster progress.
The minister expressed confidence that competition among participating districts would intensify ahead of the next review meeting, with more districts expected to be recognised for their achievements.
The conference recognised high-performing districts for their work in improving agricultural productivity, strengthening resilience and enhancing farmers’ incomes. District collectors presented case studies highlighting locally developed solutions.
Gadchiroli in Maharashtra demonstrated how water conservation and drought management had helped transform drought-affected areas into greener landscapes while achieving improvements in agricultural production.
Alluri Sitharama Raju district in Andhra Pradesh presented its approach to promoting high-value horticultural crops suited to low-rainfall conditions. The initiative helped farmers increase their incomes while reducing dependence on water-intensive cultivation.
Banka district in Bihar highlighted its Lilawaran Natural Farming Land Revival Model, which aims to reduce dependence on chemical fertilisers and encourage natural farming practices. Agricultural initiatives undertaken by Kishtwar in Jammu and Kashmir, Korba in Chhattisgarh and Fazilka in Punjab also received appreciation at the conference.
The meeting was attended by Union Ministers of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Ram Nath Thakur and Bhagirath Choudhary; Union Minister of State for Rural Development Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani; and Union Minister of State Krishan Pal Gurjar.
Senior officials from the agriculture, rural development, water resources, food processing and animal husbandry sectors also participated. Those present included Agriculture Secretary Atish Chandra; Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Naresh Pal Gangwar; Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Avinash Joshi; Rural Development Secretary Rohit Kansal; and ICAR Director General and Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education, Dr M. L. Jat.
Agriculture production commissioners, principal secretaries from various states, district collectors and senior officials from central and state governments participated in the deliberations, focusing on coordinated implementation and district-level strategies to improve agricultural performance.
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