OBJECTIVE OF DOUBLING FARMER INCOME TO BE ACHIEVED THROUGH PRODUCTIVITY IMPROVEMENT AND POLICY AND INSTITUTIONAL INTERVENTIONS: ECONOMIC SURVEY

1. At a Glance

• The Economic Survey 2025-26 reiterates that the policy objective of doubling farmers' income (DFI) is to be pursued through productivity gains plus market, credit, insurance and institutional reforms [S1].
• Frames the strategy around four pillars: inputs/technology, income support (PM-KISAN), market access, and insurance (PMFBY) [S1].
• High-yield UPSC area — converges Budget 2025-26 announcements (PM-DDKY, Pulses Mission) with agri-policy and the older Ashok Dalwai Committee DFI roadmap.

2. Why in the News

• Economic Survey 2025-26 tabled in Parliament on 29 January 2026 by FM Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted DFI progress, PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PM-DDKY) coverage of 100 districts, Mission for Atmanirbharta in Pulses, edible oil self-reliance gains, and PMFBY scale-up [S1].

3. Background & Evolution

• DFI target announced by PM in Bareilly (Feb 2016); Ashok Dalwai Inter-Ministerial Committee constituted Apr 2016; submitted 14-volume report (2017-18) recommending 10.4% real income CAGR.
• PMFBY launched 2016; PM-KISAN launched Feb 2019 (₹6,000/yr DBT).
• Union Budget 2025-26 announced PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana and Mission for Atmanirbharta in Pulses [S2].
• Cabinet approved PM-DDKY (24,000 cr/yr) and Pulses Mission (₹11,440 cr) in 2025; PM launched both on 9 Oct 2025 at Coimbatore with total outlay ₹35,440 crore [S2].

4. Core Static Facts

• Nodal ministry: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW); Survey tabled by Ministry of Finance / DEA [S1].
• PM-DDKY: 100 low-productivity / aspirational agri-districts; annual outlay ₹24,000 cr; 6-year tenure FY 2025-26 to 2030-31; convergence of 36 Central schemes across 11 Ministries; expected 1.7 crore farmer beneficiaries [S2].
• Mission for Atmanirbharta in Pulses: outlay ₹11,440 cr; period 2025-26 to 2030-31; targets — area 310 lakh ha, production 350 lakh tonnes, yield 1130 kg/ha; 126 lakh quintals certified seeds distribution covering 370 lakh ha [S3].
• Oilseeds (2014-15 to 2024-25): area ↑ >18%, production ↑ ~55%, productivity ↑ ~31% [S1].
• Edible oil: domestic availability 86.30 lakh t (2015-16) → 121.75 lakh t (2023-24); import share 63.2% → 56.25% [S1].
• PMFBY (FY25): 4.19 crore farmers insured, 32% rise over FY23; 6.2 crore hectares covered [S3].

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Economic - DFI pivots from output-centric to income-centric policy; productivity gains in oilseeds reduce ~₹1 lakh-crore edible-oil import bill [S1]. - PM-DDKY uses saturation convergence instead of new fund creation — addresses spatial inequity in 100 low-yield districts [S2].

Administrative - 36-scheme convergence across 11 ministries in PM-DDKY tests Centre-State cooperative federalism and district-level planning capacity [S2]. - PMFBY scale-up indicates restored confidence after states like Bihar, WB exited; voluntary enrolment for loanee farmers since 2020 retained [S3].

Environmental / Sustainability - Pulses Mission promotes nitrogen-fixing legumes → soil health and reduced fertiliser subsidy burden [S3]. - Crop diversification & sustainable practices are explicit PM-DDKY objectives [S2].

Strategic / Atmanirbhar - Pulses self-sufficiency by 2030-31 reduces import dependence (currently major imports from Canada, Myanmar, Mozambique) [S3]. - Edible-oil import dependence still >56% — strategic vulnerability flagged [S1].

6. Recent Developments (last 12-18 months)

• 1 Feb 2025: Budget 2025-26 announces PM-DDKY for 100 districts and Pulses Mission [S2].
• 2025: Union Cabinet approves Pulses Mission (₹11,440 cr) and PM-DDKY [S3][S2].
• 9 Oct 2025: PM launches PM-DDKY and Pulses Mission at Coimbatore; combined outlay ₹35,440 cr [S2].
• 29 Jan 2026: Economic Survey 2025-26 tabled — flags DFI progress, PMFBY 4.19 cr coverage, edible-oil gains [S1].

7. Prelims Hooks

• DFI target announced in 2016 at Bareilly; Dalwai Committee recommended 10.4% real CAGR.
• PM-DDKY: 100 districts, ₹24,000 cr p.a., 6 years, 1.7 crore farmers, 36 schemes, 11 ministries [S2].
• PM-DDKY drew model from Aspirational Districts Programme of NITI Aayog.
• Pulses Mission outlay: ₹11,440 crore, 2025-26 to 2030-31 [S3].
• Pulses targets by 2030-31: 310 lakh ha / 350 lakh t / 1130 kg/ha [S3].
• Edible-oil import share reduced from 63.2% (2015-16) to 56.25% (2023-24) [S1].
• Domestic edible-oil availability 121.75 lakh tonnes in 2023-24 [S1].
• PMFBY insured 4.19 crore farmers in FY25, 32% jump over FY23; 6.2 crore ha covered [S3].
• Oilseed productivity rose ~31% between 2014-15 and 2024-25 [S1].
• PM-DDKY + Pulses Mission jointly launched at Coimbatore on 9 Oct 2025, outlay ₹35,440 cr [S2].
• PMFBY is implemented by DA&FW, not Ministry of Finance.
• Economic Survey 2025-26 tabled 29 Jan 2026 — author: CEA V. Anantha Nageswaran (DEA).

8. Mains Relevance

• GS-III — Issues of buffer stocks & food security; e-technology in aid of farmers; agricultural marketing; MSP; subsidies; cropping patterns.
• GS-II — Government policies & interventions; welfare schemes.
• Probable stems: 1. "Doubling farmers' income requires moving beyond output growth to a holistic income-centric framework." Examine in light of PM-DDKY and Pulses Mission. 2. Critically evaluate the convergence model of PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana in addressing regional disparities in agricultural productivity. 3. Discuss how India can achieve self-sufficiency in pulses and edible oils without compromising water and soil sustainability.

9. Related Topics to Study Next

• Ashok Dalwai Committee on DFI — original roadmap and 7 income sources.
• PM-KISAN & PM-KMY — direct income support pillar.
• MSP & PM-AASHA — price policy arm.
• e-NAM / APMC reforms — market linkage.
• National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) — oilseed self-reliance.
• Aspirational Districts Programme (NITI Aayog) — template for PM-DDKY.
• Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) — post-harvest infra.
• Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) & ICAR — productivity delivery arm.

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

• PM-DDKY covers 100 districts, not 100 blocks; low-productivity districts, distinct from NITI Aayog's Aspirational Districts list.
• DFI base year is 2015-16, target year 2022-23 — the original deadline has passed; current focus is sustained income growth, not a fresh date.
• PMFBY: voluntary for loanee farmers since 2020 (often wrongly stated as compulsory).
• Pulses Mission outlay is ₹11,440 cr (not ₹35,440 cr — that figure is the combined PM-DDKY + Pulses launch outlay).
• Economic Survey is authored by CEA under DEA, Ministry of Finance, not by Agriculture Ministry.

11. Sources

• [S1] Objective of Doubling Farmer Income… Economic Survey 2025-26 — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2219956 — (tier 1)
• [S2] PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana — Union Budget 2025-26 & launch — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2098401 ; https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2177772 ; https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2145147 — (tier 1)
• [S3] Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses & PMFBY scale-up — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2241411 ; https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2177847 ; https://www.pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?NoteId=155010&ModuleId=3 — (tier 1)