PMDDKY: A New Umbrella Scheme for Agriculture Amidst Falling Public Investment
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Government Schemes (PMDDKY, PM-KISAN, PMFBY), Agriculture, Indian Economy (Public Spending, Aspirational Districts Programme).
Mains:
GS Paper 2: Governance (Convergence model, Centre-State relations, role of local bodies), Welfare schemes.
GS Paper 3: Government Budgeting and Indian Economy; Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies; Food processing and related industries; Farm subsidies and issues.
Key Highlights from the News
The Central Cabinet has approved the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY), which will be implemented through the convergence of 36 existing schemes from 11 departments.
Central schemes like PM-KISAN, PMFBY, and relevant state schemes will be merged under this new umbrella scheme.
This scheme is modeled after NITI Aayog's Aspirational Districts Programme. It will identify 100 backward districts and focus special attention on them.
However, the article expresses concern that this new scheme is being introduced against a backdrop of continuously decreasing public spending on agriculture.
According to a Parliamentary Standing Committee report, the percentage of agriculture in the total Central Plan outlay decreased from 3.53% in 2021-22 to 2.51% in 2025-26.
A positive aspect of the scheme is that it will operate based on 'District Plans'.
However, the article argues that to make the scheme more participatory, states, local self-governing bodies, cooperatives, and farmer organizations should be included.
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