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RAS question

How many farmers does PMDDKY aim to directly benefit?

Correct answer: (C) 1.7 crore.

PMDDKY aims to directly benefit 1.7 crore farmers, especially small and marginal farmers owning less than 2 hectares.

  1. (A)

    50 lakh

  2. (B)

    1 crore

  3. (C)

    1.7 crore

  4. (D)

    5 crore

Explanation

PMDDKY refers to the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana, described in the Union Budget 2025-26 highlights as the Developing Agri Districts Programme. The PIB release places it under agriculture as the first engine of development and says it will be launched in partnership with the states. Its design focuses on 100 districts identified by low productivity, moderate crop intensity and below-average credit parameters. The beneficiary figure attached to that programme is 1.7 crore farmers. The direct beneficiaries are particularly small and marginal farmers owning less than 2 hectares. That is why option C, not a rounded lower or higher figure, is the precise answer.

Why the other options are wrong

  • (A) 50 lakh understates the beneficiary count; the cited PIB budget highlight gives the figure as 1.7 crore farmers.
  • (B) 1 crore is still below the target, because PMDDKY is listed as benefiting 1.7 crore farmers.
  • (D) 5 crore overstates the number; PMDDKY's beneficiary count is 1.7 crore farmers, not 5 crore.

Concept

This tests Union Budget agriculture schemes, especially the beneficiary scale and targeting of farm-sector programmes. RAS repeatedly asks such facts because agriculture schemes link fiscal policy with rural development outcomes.

Source

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