New Delhi: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, in a special program held at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute in New Delhi today launched two ambitious schemes with a total outlay of ₹35,440 crore to boost the agricultural sector. These schemes the PM Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana and the Dalhan Atmanirbharta Mission aim to provide a new direction for farmer welfare and agricultural self-reliance in the country.
The PM Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana launched with an outlay of ₹24,000 crore aims to increase agricultural productivity in 100 selected districts of the country. The Prime Minister stated that the inspiration for this scheme was drawn from the successful ‘Aspirational Districts Programme’. Under this scheme 36 different government schemes are being brought together to adopt a coordinated approach. Its objective is to enhance crop diversification, sustainable agricultural practices, improve irrigation facilities and increase storage capacity at the panchayat level.
The Prime Minister also launched the ‘Dalhan Atmanirbharta Mission’ (Pulses Self-Reliance Mission) with an outlay of ₹11,440 crore. He emphasized that this mission is not just about increasing pulse production but is also a campaign to empower our future generations. Highlighting the importance of pulses as a primary source of protein for India’s population especially vegetarians the mission aims to boost the domestic productivity of pulses. Under the mission the target is to increase the area of pulse cultivation by 3.5 million hectares, with a special focus on promoting the production of tur, urad and masoor dals. This will directly benefit approximately two crore pulse farmers in the country.
In his address, the Prime Minister said that since 2014, his government has undertaken comprehensive reforms “from seed to market” in the interest of farmers. He highlighted several achievements in the agricultural sector over the past 11 years including: India’s agricultural exports have nearly doubled foodgrain production has increased by approximately 90 million metric tonnes and today India ranks first in the world in milk production and is the second-largest fish producer.
The Prime Minister also stressed that sectors like animal husbandry fisheries and beekeeping have empowered small and landless farmers. He also praised the role of “Namo Drone Didis” who are leading modern methods of spraying fertilizers and pesticides in villages. At the end of his address the Prime Minister urged farmers to not only work for self-reliance but also to produce for the global market.
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