Nagaland joins launch of PM’s Dhan-Dhanya Krishi Yojana

Nagaland joined the rest of the country in the launch of the Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY) and Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses, held at the directorate of Agriculture conference hall, Kohima, on October 11.
Speaking at the programme, advisor for Agriculture, Mhathung Yanthan, MLA, termed the launch a significant milestone featuring the inauguration of pivotal projects in animal husbandry, fisheries, and food processing industries under various Prime Minister’s initiatives.
Yanthan said despite substantial central allocations, Nagaland has consistently failed to avail the benefits of centrally sponsored schemes. “A scheme launched in 2020 had substantial allocation, yet there were no takers from the state,” he observed. He attributed this to procedural difficulties and lack of technological advancement, urging stakeholders to “break free from traditional systems and embrace the vast potential these schemes offer.”
Calling PMDDKY a commendable initiative, Yanthan said the programme aims to enhance productivity, promote crop diversification, strengthen post-harvest management, encourage efficient water use, and improve credit linkages. He noted that while only one district—Mon—was selected, all 16 districts in Nagaland met the criteria of low crop intensity, low productivity, and weak credit penetration.
He emphasised the need for meticulous implementation and coordination among all line departments, stressing that success would depend on executing the programme “in its true spirit at every level—state, district, and block.”
Agriculture Production Commissioner V. Shashank Shekhar, delivered the keynote address, while Additional Director of Agriculture-II, Medovilie Ladu, proposed the vote of thanks. The event also featured live streaming of the national launch by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who inaugurated over 1,100 projects under the Agricultural Infrastructure Fund, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, and Food Processing sectors. Director of Agriculture Sanuzo Nienu chaired the programme.
A farmer from Mon district, Menphong, was felicitated by Prime Minister Modi during the Delhi event. From Nagaland, five representatives attended the national launch—one natural farming practitioner, one FPO, two officers, and one KVK scientist.
About PMDDKY: The Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY) is a targeted agricultural development initiative covering 100 low-performing districts, including Mon. It converges 36 existing schemes from 11 ministries without a separate budget.
The scheme features a three-tier governance system with district-level committees headed by the Deputy Commissioner. Each district must prepare an action plan by October 31, 2025, and a five-year plan by year-end. Progress will be monitored through 117 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) on a digital dashboard, with rankings and awards based on performance.