Prime Minister Narendra Modi will release the 22nd instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme on March 13, transferring ₹18,640 crore directly to the bank accounts of 9.32 crore farmers across the country through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
The funds will be released during a programme in Guwahati, Assam. The instalment will also benefit more than 2.15 crore women farmers, who will receive the financial assistance directly in their accounts.
Addressing journalists in New Delhi, Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the scheme continues to strengthen the rural economy by providing direct income support to farmers. He noted that since the launch of PM-KISAN in 2019, more than ₹4.09 lakh crore has already been transferred to farmers through DBT.
Chouhan said studies have shown that the financial assistance provided under the scheme has increased agricultural investment and reduced farmers’ dependence on moneylenders. He said that under the leadership of PM Modi, efforts to promote agricultural development and farmer welfare will continue.
Highlighting the progress made in the agriculture sector over the past decade, Chouhan said India has transformed from a country facing grain shortages into a major global producer of food grains. He noted that the country’s total food grain production has increased from 252 million tonnes in 2014 to 357 million tonnes today.
The minister added that India has become the world’s largest producer of rice, with production reaching around 150 million tonnes, surpassing China. Horticulture output has also seen a major rise, with fruit and vegetable production increasing from 277 million tonnes to 369 million tonnes.
Chouhan also announced the launch of the first phase of an AI-based digital platform called ‘Bharat Vistar’, which will allow farmers to access agriculture-related information in their local languages through a simple phone call.
On financial support for farmers, he said agricultural credit has increased significantly from ₹8.45 lakh crore in 2014 to ₹28.69 lakh crore at present. Under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, insurance claims worth nearly ₹2 lakh crore have been deposited into farmers’ accounts.
The minister further highlighted that the agriculture budget has also expanded considerably, rising from about ₹27,000 crore during the Indian National Congress-led UPA government to more than ₹1.40 lakh crore annually under the current administration.
