The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana (PM-KISAN) is a government initiative launched in February 2019 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare. The scheme aims to provide financial support to small and marginal farmers across India with the objective of boosting their income and ensuring their socio-economic upliftment.
Under the PM-KISAN scheme, eligible farmers receive direct income support of ₹6,000 per year. This financial assistance is provided in three equal installments of ₹2,000 each, transferred directly to the farmers’ bank accounts. The scheme covers approximately 14 crore (140 million) farmers in India.
To qualify for the scheme, farmers must meet certain eligibility criteria. Firstly, only small and marginal farmers with landholdings of up to 2 hectares are eligible. Additionally, farmer families that fall under any of the following categories are excluded: former or current constitutional post holders, former or current ministers, members of Parliament, members of legislative assemblies, serving or retired government officials, income tax payers, and professionals such as doctors, engineers, and lawyers.
The implementation of the PM-KISAN scheme has been largely successful. The initiative has positively impacted the lives of farmers by providing them with a steady source of income and financial stability. It has also helped to address the income disparity prevalent among small and marginal farmers, while giving them the means to invest in agriculture and improve their agricultural practices.
To ensure smooth implementation and outreach, the government has taken several steps. A dedicated online portal and mobile application have been developed to facilitate farmer registration and the transfer of funds. State governments have been actively involved in identifying eligible farmers, verifying their details, and disbursing the financial support. Efforts have also been made to rectify any potential issues and to make the application process more user-friendly.
However, the PM-KISAN scheme has faced some challenges in terms of identification and registration of eligible beneficiaries. Due to the vastness of the farming community and diverse agricultural practices in India, there have been instances of errors or exclusions in the beneficiary list. Nonetheless, the government has made continuous efforts to rectify such issues through regular data updates and beneficiary verification drives.
In conclusion, the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana aims to provide financial support to small and marginal farmers in India through direct income transfers. Despite a few initial challenges, the scheme has contributed to the socio-economic upliftment of farmers and has helped bridge the income gap in the agricultural sector. Continuous efforts are being made to improve the reach and efficiency of the scheme to ensure maximum benefits for the farming community.