Advancing Agricultural Self-Reliance

Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chauhan, convened a high-level meeting with senior Ministry officials to ensure the swift execution of the Self-Reliance in Pulses Mission and the Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana. Emphasizing the importance of these initiatives for Indian farmers, Shri Chauhan issued directives for their time-bound implementation.

Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana: A Collaborative Push

Launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on October 11, 2025, at Pusa, New Delhi, the Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana aims to transform agriculture in 100 aspirational districts by integrating 36 sub-schemes across 11 ministries. Approved by the Union Cabinet on July 16, 2025, the scheme will span six years (FY 2025–26) with an annual budget of ₹24,000 crore.

To ensure its effective rollout, Shri Chauhan announced plans to convene a meeting with ministers and secretaries from the 11 involved ministries, alongside NITI Aayog officials. This collaborative approach seeks to maximize benefits for farmers by streamlining efforts at the grassroots level.

Self-Reliance in Pulses Mission: Boosting Production and Employment

The Self-Reliance in Pulses Mission, also launched on October 11, 2025, targets a significant increase in pulse production over the next six years with a financial outlay of ₹11,440 crore. The mission aims to:

• Expand the area under pulses from 275 lakh hectares to 310 lakh hectares.
• Increase production from 242 lakh tonnes to 350 lakh tonnes.
• Enhance productivity to 1,130 kg per hectare by 2030–31.

In addition to boosting agricultural output, the mission is expected to generate substantial employment opportunities. To achieve these goals, Shri Chauhan directed officials to form district-level clusters in collaboration with state governments and to hold meetings with state nodal officers for seamless implementation.

A Vision for Farmer Welfare

Both initiatives reflect the government’s commitment to empowering farmers and achieving agricultural self-reliance. By fostering inter-ministerial coordination and state-level cooperation, Shri Chauhan’s leadership aims to ensure these schemes deliver tangible benefits to farmers across India.