PM Narendra Modi to Release Rs 17,000 Crore as 14th Installment under PM-KISAN Scheme

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Thursday, announced the release of approximately Rs 17,000 crore as the 14th instalment to around 8.5 crore farmer beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme. The amount will be transferred directly to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries during a special event held in Sikar, Rajasthan.

The PM-KISAN scheme, a central initiative launched on February 24, 2019, with effect from December 2018, aims to provide financial assistance to farmers across the country. Under the scheme, an annual financial benefit of Rs 6,000 is provided to farmer families in three equal instalments through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode.

Since its inception, the total amount transferred to beneficiaries is expected to surpass an impressive Rs 2.59 lakh crore. The scheme has already provided benefits totaling over Rs 2.42 lakh crore to more than 11 crore farmers nationwide, supporting them in meeting their daily needs and contributing to their overall well-being.

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During the event, Prime Minister Modi also dedicated 1.25 lakh PM Kisan Samriddhi Kendras (PMKSKs) to the country. The government has been systematically converting retail fertiliser shops into PMKSKs, with the goal of ensuring enhanced services and support to farmers. These PMKSKs will serve as hubs for agri-inputs, offering testing facilities for soil, seeds, and fertilisers to farmers.

Additionally, these centres will play a pivotal role in generating awareness among farmers about various government schemes and providing valuable information to them. Regular capacity building of retailers at block- and district-level outlets will also be ensured through these Kendras.

Furthermore, at the event, Prime Minister Modi launched sulphur-coated urea, also known as 'urea gold,' which is a significant step towards enhancing the efficiency of urea usage in agriculture. The introduction of sulphur-coated urea is expected to boost soil health and improve crop productivity, thereby benefiting farmers and the agricultural sector as a whole.

Another highlight of the event was the launch of onboarding 1,600 farmer producer organizations (FPOs) on the One Nation One Digital Platform (ONDC). This move aims to streamline and modernize the operations of FPOs, ensuring better access to markets and fair prices for the produce of farmer collectives.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's commitment to farmers and the agricultural community was evident during the event. The release of financial assistance under the PM-KISAN scheme and the inauguration of PMKSKs, along with other initiatives, reflect the government's unwavering dedication to empowering farmers and revolutionizing the agricultural landscape of the country.

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