Shivraj Singh Chouhan Chairs PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana National Conference
Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare and Rural Development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan addressed the national conference on Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana at the Bharat Ratna C. Subramaniam Auditorium in Pusa campus, New Delhi on October 12, 2026. The conference brought together district collectors, scientists, and senior policymakers from more than 50 districts across India to discuss agricultural development strategies.
Chouhan emphasized that the PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana framework was prepared by district collectors based on actual ground conditions rather than being developed in Delhi offices. He stressed the need for regular monthly reviews of district agricultural action plans and called for intensified coordinated efforts across departments where progress is slow. The minister highlighted the importance of inter-minestrial convergence, specifically mentioning the Ministry of Jal Shakti for water management, Ministry of Food Processing Industries for processing and value addition, Ministry of Cooperation and Farmer Producer Organisations for strengthening collective efforts, along with animal husbandry, dairy, fisheries, MSMEs and skill development sectors.
The scheme prioritizes 100 districts that have lagged in agricultural productivity, have low cropping intensity, or face inadequate institutional credit flow. Chouhan directed officials to promote pulses and oilseeds in rice fallow areas through a mission-mode approach, where fields remain uncultivated after paddy harvesting. He called for wider coverage of the Kisan Credit Card scheme and faster flow of institutional credit, particularly in eastern India and underdeveloped districts, noting that farmers need access to capital to adopt advanced agricultural technologies and better inputs.
District Recognition and Innovations
The conference recognized several top-performing districts for their exemplary work. Gadchiroli, Maharashtra was honored for transforming drought-affected areas through water conservation and drought management, achieving new milestones in agricultural production. Alluri Sitharama Raju, Andhra Pradesh was recognized for promoting high-value horticultural crops requiring less water in a low-rainfall region, resulting in significant income increases for farmers. Banka, Bihar presented its Lilawaran Natural Farming Land Revival Model which seeks to end dependence on chemical fertilisers and establish natural farming practices. Innovations from Kishtwar in Jammu and Kashmir, Korba in Chhattisgarh, and Fazilka in Punjab were also widely appreciated.
Senior Participation and Coordination
The national conference was attended by Union Ministers of State for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Shri Ram Nath Thakur and Shri Bhagirath Choudhary; Union Minister of State for Rural Development Dr Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani; and Union Minister of State Krishan Pal Gurjar. Senior officials present included Agriculture Secretary Atish Chandra; Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Naresh Pal Gangwar; Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Avinash Joshi; Secretary, Department of Land Resources, Dilip Kumar; Rural Development Secretary Rohit Kansal; Water Resources Secretary Archana Verma; and ICAR Director General and Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Dr M. L. Jat. Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Maninder Kaur Dwivedi was also present, along with agriculture production commissioners and principal secretaries from various states.
Chouhan emphasized strengthening the direct connection between agricultural research and farmers, noting that research conducted by nearly 16,000 scientists associated with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, along with Krishi Vigyan Kendras, the Agricultural Technology Management Agency and agricultural universities, should reach farmers' fields directly. He motivated officials to pursue ambitious development goals, quoting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had pledged during his third term to work with three times the speed and strength, with the agriculture and rural development machinery putting its full capabilities behind fulfilling this commitment.