As of October 2021, the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana (PM-Kisan) has reached nearly 12 crore farmers across the country, providing them with financial assistance to support their agricultural needs. The scheme was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February 2019, with an aim to ensure a better life for farmers, increase their income, and accelerate growth in the agriculture sector.
Under the PM-Kisan scheme, eligible small and marginal farmer families are provided with financial assistance of Rs 6,000 per year, in three equal instalments of Rs 2,000 each, which is directly transferred to their bank accounts. To be eligible for the scheme, farmers must hold cultivable land up to two hectares, and their names should be registered on the land record database of the respective state governments.
The scheme has been widely appreciated by farmers, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, as it has provided them with a much-needed financial cushion to support their livelihoods. The scheme has also helped in boosting the agricultural sector, as the funds provided can be utilised by farmers to purchase inputs such as seeds, fertilisers and pesticides, as well as for maintenance of farm equipment and other agricultural activities.
The government has also taken steps to improve the implementation and administration of the scheme, such as setting up a dedicated portal for online registration, adding provisions for Aadhaar-based authentication of farmer beneficiaries, and ensuring timely disbursal of funds. The scheme has also been expanded to cover more farmers, with the recent inclusion of farmer families of the Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh regions.
Despite the success of the PM-Kisan scheme, there have been some issues encountered in its implementation, such as delays in the verification of beneficiaries and delays in disbursal of funds. Additionally, there have been concerns that the scheme may not be able to adequately address the larger issue of agrarian distress and provide sustainable income support to farmers in the long run.
Overall, the PM-Kisan scheme has been a significant step towards supporting farmers and promoting agricultural growth in the country. While there is still room for improvement, the scheme is a welcome initiative that is helping in transforming the lives of millions of farmers across the country.