Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana (PM-KISAN) is an initiative launched by the Indian Government in February 2019. The scheme aims to provide financial assistance to small and marginal farmers across the country. The scheme is primarily focused on providing monetary support to farmers for the cultivation of their crops, thus empowering them to be self-reliant and self-sufficient.
Under the PM-KISAN scheme, eligible farmers receive INR 6,000 ($81) annually, directly transferred into their bank accounts in three instalments of INR 2,000 each. The payments will be made from the government’s coffers, and the scheme’s outlay is expected to be INR 75,000 crores ($10 billion) per annum.
Eligibility for the scheme is determined by several factors, including landholding size, age of the farmer, family composition, and the type of crops they grow. Small and marginal farmers with land holdings of less than two hectares are eligible to receive assistance under this scheme. The benefit can be availed by all farmers who fall under these eligibility criteria across the country, including those in Union Territories.
The scheme’s implementation is being handled by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, with the cooperation of several state government agencies. The data on eligible beneficiaries will be collected and maintained by the States and Union Territories, and the payments will be made to the farmers through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode.
The PM-KISAN scheme has been widely applauded and received by farmers across the country, who have been some of the country’s worst-hit sections impacted by the current pandemic. The scheme has been instrumental in alleviating the financial burden on farmers and ensuring their welfare during the current pandemic crisis. Additionally, PM-KISAN is contributing to the government’s aim to double farmers’ incomes by 2022.
In conclusion, the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana is a significant step towards empowering and enhancing the lives of small and marginal farmers across the country. Providing money directly into farmers’ bank accounts is a welcome move that helps the government to cut costs in the distribution process and ensures the money goes to where it is needed most. The scheme serves as an important reminder of the government’s commitment to strengthening the agriculture sector and safeguarding the interests of the farming community.