Blitz Bureau
THE Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN), launched on February 2, 2019, has become a transformative force for India’s agricultural sector. Under this scheme, every eligible farming family receives an annual benefit of Rs 6,000, distributed in three equal installments. The amount is directly transferred to the beneficiaries’ bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer mechanism, making it one of the largest and most transparent DBT schemes globally.
PM-KISAN is a flagship initiative leveraging India’s digital infrastructure. Through a seamless process of enrollment, authentication, and disbursement, the scheme reaches millions of farmers, eliminating intermediaries and ensuring that support goes directly to those who need it. The installments of Rs 2,000 are structured to provide farmers with timely financial support every four months, aligning with the crop cycle. This enables farmers to make crucial investments at key junctures in the farming season, helping optimise yields.
Empowering farmers
The scheme has empowered farmers by reducing their dependence on traditional moneylenders who often charge exorbitant interest rates. The timely financial aid helps farmers avoid the debt trap, fostering more sustainable and self-reliant farming practices.
The scheme is designed to include small and marginal farmers, a group often left out of traditional financial support mechanisms. PM-KISAN plays a crucial role in narrowing the income disparity between different farmer categories, contributing to inclusive growth in the agriculture sector. The scheme is a shining example of cooperative federalism as the states register and verify the eligibility of farmers while the Centre provides 100 per cent funding for the scheme. The inclusive nature of the scheme is reflected in the fact that at least one out of four beneficiaries is a woman farmer.
The inclusive nature of the scheme is reflected in the fact that at least one out of four beneficiaries is a woman farmer, besides more than 85% of small and marginal farmers being the beneficiaries under the scheme.
Tech for transparency To ensure that the scheme remains efficient, transparent, and accessible to all farmers, the Government has continuously upgraded its digital infrastructure. The following are the key technological highlights of PM-KISAN:
Integration with multiple digital platforms such as: UIDAI, PFMS, NPCI, and the Income Tax Department. This ensure that all processes related to the scheme are secure, efficient and transparent. Farmers can now register grievances or seek assistance directly through the PMKISAN portal. A significant innovation under the scheme is the Kisan e-Mitra, a voice-based AI chatbot. This platform allows farmers to raise queries and get real-time solutions in their native language.
To make the scheme even more accessible, over five lakh common service centres (CSCs) across the country have been onboarded. These CSCs bring the scheme’s services directly to farmers’ doorsteps. Additionally, the integration of the Indian Post Payments Bank (IPPB) with the PMKISAN scheme facilitates the opening of Aadhaar-linked bank accounts for beneficiaries.
Comprehensive services
The Government is now introducing Agri Stack, a technological framework designed to provide comprehensive services to farmers. Through Agri Stack, every farmer will receive a unique Farmer ID, linked to their Aadhaar. This Farmer ID will be connected with land and crop information, ensuring more personalised and proactive governance. With these technological interventions, PM-KISAN has truly evolved into a model of efficiency, empowering farmers and driving India’s agricultural sector towards sustainability and inclusivity. The scheme’s modernisation marks a significant shift towards smart, digitally-enabled farming practices for the future. With the 18th instalment release more than 11 crore farmers across India have received a staggering Rs. 3.45 lakh crore under the PM-KISAN scheme. Of this, Rs 1.75 lakh crore was transferred to eligible farmers during the Covid-19 period, when they most needed direct cash benefits. Further, recently, as part of the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra, undertaken to ensure saturation of the Government’s welfare schemes across more than 2.60 lakh Gram Panchayats, over 1 crore eligible farmers were added to the PM KISAN Scheme.
Achievements, accolades
In the past five years, the scheme has achieved significant milestones, earning accolades from organisations like the World Bank for its visionary approach, vast reach, and the smooth transfer of funds directly into farmers’ accounts. A study by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), focusing on farmers in Uttar Pradesh, revealed that the majority of farmers benefited from PMKISAN without any leakages, receiving the full amount. The study also highlighted that farmers who received these cash transfers were more likely to invest in essential farming needs, such as agricultural equipment, seeds, fertilisers, and pesticides. This support has played a crucial role in enhancing productivity and improving the financial stability of farmers.
