New Delhi: Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch two transformative agricultural initiatives the PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana and the Self-Reliance in Pulses Mission on October 11 at the National Agricultural Science Complex in Pusa, New Delhi. The projects are collectively valued at over ₹42,000 crore and aim to revolutionize India’s agricultural landscape.
Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi, Chouhan said the initiatives mark a new era for Indian agriculture under Modi’s leadership. He emphasized that India is on track to become the food basket of the world highlighting the government’s commitment to improving food security, expanding irrigation and increasing farmers’ income.
Expanding Pulses Cultivation and Self-Reliance
The Self-Reliance in Pulses Mission aims to expand the cultivation area of pulses from 27.5 million hectares to 31 million hectares by 2030–31. The goal is to raise production from 24.2 million tonnes to 35 million tonnes and increase productivity from 880 kg to 1,130 kg per hectare. Chouhan said the mission will focus on high-yielding, pest-resistant and climate-resilient varieties, with 1.26 crore quintals of certified seeds and 88 lakh free mini seed kits to be distributed to farmers.
He also announced the establishment of 1,000 processing units, each supported with a government subsidy of ₹25 lakh to promote value addition and ensure better prices for farmers.
PM Dhan-Dhaanya Yojana: Lifting Low-Productivity Districts
The PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana will identify 100 low-productivity districts across India and implement region-specific interventions to improve productivity. Inspired by the Aspirational Districts Model the scheme will focus on better irrigation coverage, credit access and crop diversification. It will be monitored by NITI Aayog through a digital dashboard to ensure transparency and real-time progress tracking.
Chouhan explained that even a modest rise in productivity in these districts could significantly enhance national food output and farmers’ income. The initiative also aligns with the government’s broader vision of One Nation, One Agriculture One Team.
Projects Worth ₹42,000 Crore to be Inaugurated
During the event, Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for over 1,100 projects related to agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries, and food processing. These projects, valued at over ₹42,000 crore, are expected to accelerate rural development and boost India’s agri-economy.
The Prime Minister will also felicitate farmers, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), cooperatives, and innovators for their contribution to the sector. Among the highlights will be recognition of 1,100 Crorepati FPOs, certification of over 1 lakh organic farmers and computerisation of 10,000 Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) into digital e-PACS and service centres.
A Milestone in Agricultural Transformation
Chouhan said that India’s food grain production has risen by 40 percent since 2014, making the country self-reliant in wheat and rice. However pulses remain an area where India continues to import. The new mission aims to fill this gap and make the country fully self-sufficient in pulses production.
The launch, coinciding with the birth anniversary of Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan symbolizes a renewed national commitment to farmer prosperity and food sovereignty. The initiatives are expected to strengthen India’s position as a global leader in sustainable agriculture and empower millions of farmers across the nation.
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