The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana (PM-Kisan) was launched in 2019 to provide financial assistance to small and marginal farmers across the country. Under the scheme, an amount of Rs 6,000 per year is transferred to the bank accounts of eligible farmers in three instalments.
So far, the scheme has benefited around 10 crore farmers and a total of Rs 1,25,000 crore has been disbursed under the scheme. The government has set a target to provide benefits to around 14 crore farmers through the scheme.
The process of registration for the scheme is simple and can be done online through the official portal. Eligible farmers can also visit the nearest Common Service Centre or Agriculture Department for registration.
The scheme has been designed to provide direct financial support to farmers, which can help them procure necessary inputs for cultivation, meet their household expenses and improve their livelihoods. The scheme has also helped to reduce rural distress and enhance the income security of small and marginal farmers.
In addition to the financial support provided under PM-Kisan, the government has also taken several measures to improve the overall well-being of farmers. These include increasing minimum support prices, expanding irrigation facilities, promoting crop diversification, and enhancing access to credit and markets.
The PM-Kisan scheme is a step towards empowering farmers and making agriculture a viable and sustainable livelihood option. However, there are several challenges and areas where more work needs to be done to ensure that the benefits of the scheme reach all eligible farmers.
These include improving the targeting and identification of eligible farmers, reducing the delays in payment disbursement, ensuring the proper functioning of the online system, and addressing the concerns of farmers in hilly and mountainous areas.
Overall, the PM-Kisan scheme is a significant step towards improving the agricultural sector and the lives of farmers in India. With continued efforts and improvements, it has the potential to make a lasting impact on the lives of millions of small and marginal farmers across the country.