Expressing satisfaction over the increased production of foodgrain, fruits, milk, and vegetables in India, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday said disparities in productivity between states and districts would be addressed soon.
Speaking to media persons after the cabinet approved the ‘Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhanya Krishi Yojana’, he said districts with low agricultural productivity or limited utilization of Agri Credit Cards (ACC) by farmers will be identified in near future as significant disparities in productivity continue to remain between states, even between districts within the same state.
According to an official release, he said in these areas the government will work to ensure the comprehensive implementation of schemes from 11 different departments through convergence. This will include not only central schemes but also those from state governments, along with contributions from any other willing partners.
Approximately 100 such districts will be selected, with at least one district from every state. Preparatory work is already underway. A nodal officer will be appointed for each district, and both the districts and their nodal officers will be finalized by the end of July.
Chouhan also mentioned that NITI Aayog will track district-level progresş based on certain indicators.
It will also create a dashboard to monitor the progress, he added.
A district-level committee, led by the Gram Panchayat or District Collector, will be formed, which will include departmental officers, progressive farmers, and others who will collectively take decisions.
Similar teams will be formed at the state level, with the responsibility of ensuring effective convergence of schemes in districts. At the Central level, two teams will be formed — one under Union ministers and another under Secretaries with officers from various departments.
The scheme will operate across multiple sectors, the document said.
Chouhan said the overall goal is to improve productivity in low-yield districts – not just to reach the national average, but to also achieve top productivity levels.
In addition to crops, focus will also be given to fruit cultivation, fisheries, beekeeping, animal husbandry, and agroforestry, the minister added.