Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Sahkarita Kisan Kalyan Yojana

The Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Sahkarita Kisan Kalyan Yojana (DDUKKY) is run by the Cooperative Department of the Government of Uttarakhand. Its purpose is to strengthen the rural economy and encourage self-employment among farmers and self-help groups (SHGs). The scheme offers interest-free loans to support a broad range of agricultural and non-agricultural activities. By doing away with interest charges, it seeks to make entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihoods more attainable for rural communities in the state.

DDUKKY covers a wide spectrum of economic pursuits. These include conventional farming practices such as crop cultivation and organic farming, as well as newer areas like floriculture, horticulture, and poly-house farming. The scheme also extends to allied sectors, including animal husbandry, dairy, poultry, and fisheries, along with agricultural processing and value addition. Non-agricultural ventures, such as the cultivation of herbs, aromatic plants, spices, and mushrooms, are also eligible. This broad coverage is intended to create varied income streams for individuals and groups aiming to start or grow micro-enterprises, supporting the socio-economic progress of Uttarakhand.

To apply, follow these steps:

• Become a Cooperative Member (if not already): Those interested can seek membership by submitting the prescribed form at the office of the relevant society and paying a membership fee of ₹108. The Board of Directors then evaluates the application. Supporting documents for membership include a land ownership certificate, a certificate from the Patwari confirming agricultural activity, and an Aadhaar card.
• Obtain Application Form: The application form can be collected from a local bank or the cooperative committee.
• Prepare Required Documents: The completed form must be accompanied by a photograph, Aadhaar card, PAN card, a detailed work plan for the proposed activity, annual income and expenditure statements, and other pertinent loan information. Applicants are also required to furnish particulars of their movable and immovable assets, such as land and deposits.
• Secure Guarantors: The loan requires two guarantors. Details of their movable and immovable assets must be submitted along with the application.
• Submit Application: The duly filled application form, along with all supporting documents—including land certificates, account records, and the Kisan Card—should be submitted to the relevant bank or committee. For loans up to ₹5 lakh for self-help groups (SHGs), a comprehensive project report or proposal is compulsory. SHGs must also hold an account with a cooperative bank and be registered under agriculture or agriculture-related schemes run by the State or Central Government.
• Wait for Selection & Sanction: The block-level committee assesses applications, chooses eligible beneficiaries, brings them under the scheme, and sanctions the loans. If a farmer does not receive a loan in the current year but still needs it, the department may consider previously submitted applications for processing in the following year.

Applications are assessed by the relevant bank or committee at the local tier. The block-level committee makes the final choice of beneficiaries, verifying that each applicant satisfies all eligibility conditions and that the planned activities correspond with the scheme's goals. For bigger loans, especially those intended for Self-Help Groups, a comprehensive project report is essential for the appraisal process.

The scheme further requires compulsory crop insurance for short-term agricultural loans, which the cooperative bank arranges on its own. This measure provides risk coverage for both the borrower and the lending institution.