Title: The Status of PM-KISAN SAMMAN NIDHI Yojana: Empowering Farmers Across India
Introduction:
Launched in February 2019, the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme aims to provide financial support to farmers across India. This welfare program has been designed to alleviate the economic distress faced by farmers by providing direct income support. As we analyze the current status of the PM-KISAN scheme, it becomes apparent that it has made significant strides in uplifting the agricultural sector and improving the lives of the rural farming community.
Benefits of PM-KISAN:
Under the PM-KISAN scheme, eligible farmers receive direct income support of Rs. 6,000 ($81) annually, payable in three equal installments, directly credited into their bank accounts. This financial assistance provides farmers with a predictable income and helps them meet their agricultural expenses, including buying seeds, fertilizers, equipment, and machinery.
Enrollment and Implementation:
The PM-KISAN scheme has successfully enrolled a vast number of farmers across India. As of July 2021, around 12.24 crore (122.4 million) farmers have been registered under this scheme. The enrollment process has been simplified through online self-registration or registration at local authorities such as Common Service Centers (CSCs). This inclusive approach ensures that farmers from remote areas also have the opportunity to enroll in the scheme.
Funds Disbursed:
Since its inception, the PM-KISAN scheme has genuinely prioritized farmers’ welfare by disbursing the designated funds to eligible beneficiaries promptly. As of July 2021, the central government has disbursed over Rs. 1.35 lakh crore ($18 billion) to farmers across the country. This significant financial support has the potential to uplift farmers and boost rural economies.
Further Expansion and Digital Integration:
The PM-KISAN scheme has continually expanded its reach to ensure maximum benefits for the agricultural community. In August 2020, the scheme was extended to include all farmer families, irrespective of the size of their landholding. This expansion ensures that even smallholder farmers, who form a significant part of the agricultural workforce, can take advantage of the financial assistance.
Moreover, the scheme has adopted digital platforms to distribute benefits efficiently. By integrating the PM-KISAN scheme with the Aadhaar card and Jan Dhan bank accounts, the government has reduced leakages and ensured that the funds reach the intended beneficiaries directly, avoiding intermediaries.
Impact on the Rural Agricultural Sector:
The PM-KISAN scheme has had a transformative impact on the Indian rural agricultural sector. By providing financial stability to farmers, it has allowed them to invest in better farming techniques and adopt modern technologies, thereby increasing agricultural productivity. The increased income provided by the scheme has the potential to break the cycle of rural poverty, ultimately leading to the socio-economic development of rural communities.
Conclusion:
The PM-KISAN scheme has emerged as one of India’s most successful government welfare schemes, propelling the country’s progress towards the vision of doubling farmers’ income by 2022. By providing direct income support to farmers, simplifying enrollment, and utilizing digital platforms for seamless disbursal of funds, the scheme has managed to uplift millions of farmers and strengthen the agricultural sector. Going forward, the PM-KISAN SAMMAN NIDHI Yojana is expected to continue making a substantial impact, improving the lives and livelihoods of the backbone of the nation’s economy – the farmers.