Pradhanmantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana (PM-KISAN) was launched by the Government of India in February 2019 to provide financial aid to farmers. Under this scheme, farmers who hold 2 hectares or less of cultivable land are given Rs. 6,000 per year in three installments of Rs. 2,000 each. The main objective of the scheme is to provide financial support to small and marginal farmers who face difficulties in providing basic needs to their families.
The scheme has received immense popularity among farmers and has benefited them in various ways. With the help of the PM-KISAN scheme, farmers are able to purchase better quality seeds, fertilizers, and other inputs to improve crop yields. The scheme has also made it easier for farmers to take loans as they can now provide proof of income to banks.
The PM-KISAN scheme was initially targeted to reach 12 crore farmers across the country. However, as of January 2021, the number of registered farmers under the scheme has reached 11.25 crore. The government claims that payments have been made to over 10 crore beneficiaries under this scheme. The total amount disbursed under the scheme so far is Rs. 75,000 crore.
The PM-KISAN scheme has been a success in providing much-needed financial aid to farmers. However, there have been some issues related to the implementation of the scheme. The biggest issue has been the identification of the beneficiaries. Many eligible farmers are still not registered under the scheme due to various reasons such as lack of awareness, technical issues, and eligibility criteria.
Another major issue is the delay in payments. Many farmers have complained that the payments are delayed, and they do not receive the entire amount in one go. The government has taken steps to address these issues by launching a dedicated PM-KISAN portal and conducting outreach campaigns to reach out to more farmers.
In conclusion, the PM-KISAN scheme has been successful in providing financial aid to small and marginal farmers. While there have been some implementation challenges, the scheme has been instrumental in improving the livelihoods of farmers across the country. The government should take further steps to ensure the smooth implementation of the scheme and reach out to more eligible farmers.