Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) is a government initiative in India aimed at providing financial support to farmers across the country. Launched in December 2018 by the Government of India, this scheme seeks to ensure a stable income for farmers to help them meet agricultural and domestic needs.
Under the PM-KISAN scheme, all small and marginal farmers are eligible to receive a direct income support of ₹6,000 per year. This amount is provided in three equal installments of ₹2,000 each, directly transferred to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries. The scheme covers around 14.5 crore farmers across India, irrespective of the size of their landholdings.
Objectives of PM-KISAN:
Income Support: The primary goal is to provide financial assistance to farmers, enabling them to meet their agricultural and household expenses.
Poverty Alleviation: By ensuring a minimum income, the scheme aims to uplift small and marginal farmers from poverty and contribute to rural development.
Agricultural Productivity: With financial stability, farmers can invest in better farming practices, equipment, and inputs, ultimately boosting agricultural productivity.
Eligibility Criteria:
The scheme is intended for small and marginal farmers who own up to 2 hectares of land.
However, from 2019, the scheme has been extended to cover all farmers irrespective of the size of their landholdings.
Exclusions include institutional landholders, farmers holding constitutional posts, serving or retired officers and employees of government or public sector undertakings, and those who have paid income tax in the last assessment year.
Implementation and Impact:
The PM-KISAN scheme is implemented through the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. The process is streamlined through a centralized database of farmers, where the state governments are responsible for identifying eligible farmers and ensuring they receive the benefits.
The impact of the scheme has been significant, with millions of farmers benefiting from the direct cash transfers. The financial support has provided a cushion against economic shocks and helped farmers manage the costs of inputs, seeds, fertilizers, and other essential resources.
Challenges:
Despite its success, the scheme faces challenges such as delays in payments, discrepancies in beneficiary lists, and issues related to land ownership records. The government continues to address these challenges through regular updates to the database, grievance redressal mechanisms, and coordination with state governments.
Conclusion:
The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi is a landmark initiative that underscores the government’s commitment to supporting farmers and promoting agricultural growth in India. By providing direct income support, it aims to empower farmers, reduce their financial burdens, and contribute to the overall development of the agricultural sector.