Government says selection is driven by low agricultural productivity, cropping intensity and farm credit availability, ensuring representation from every State

Key Highlights

• 100 districts selected under the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (DDKY).
• Districts identified using three key indicators:
  • Low agricultural productivity
  • Low cropping intensity
  • Low agricultural credit disbursement
• Every State has been included with at least one district.
• Allocation of districts is based on net cropped area and number of operational holdings.
• States can independently extend the same framework to additional districts using existing resources.
• Announcement made by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Ramnath Thakur, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

Government Unveils Selection Criteria for PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana

The Government of India has detailed the methodology used to identify the 100 districts covered under the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (DDKY), a flagship initiative aimed at strengthening agricultural development in underserved regions.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, the selected districts were identified using three publicly available indicators: low agricultural productivity, low cropping intensity, and lower levels of agricultural credit disbursement. The objective is to direct support towards regions with significant scope for improving farm output and rural livelihoods.

To ensure balanced regional development, the number of districts allocated to each State was determined based on net cropped area and the number of operational land holdings. The Government clarified that every State has been represented with at least one district, ensuring nationwide coverage under the scheme.

The Ministry further stated that States are free to replicate the DDKY framework in additional districts that may require similar interventions by leveraging their existing administrative mechanisms and available scheme resources.

The details were shared by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Ramnath Thakur in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

Why This Matters for Hospitality, Food & Tourism

While DDKY is primarily an agricultural development initiative, its long-term outcomes could have significant implications for India’s hospitality and tourism ecosystem.

• Strengthened agricultural productivity can improve the availability of locally sourced ingredients for hotels, restaurants, caterers and foodservice businesses.
• Better access to agricultural credit may encourage higher-value crop cultivation, supporting farm-to-table dining concepts and regional culinary experiences.
• Improved rural incomes can stimulate rural tourism, agritourism and homestay development, creating new opportunities for destination-based hospitality businesses.
• The scheme aligns with the growing hospitality industry’s focus on local sourcing, sustainable procurement and regional food heritage, helping build resilient food supply chains over time.

For the hospitality sector, DDKY represents a long-term policy initiative that could strengthen agricultural ecosystems, enhance ingredient quality and availability, and support the development of authentic rural and culinary tourism experiences across India.