Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to disburse the 13th installment of the income support programme PM-Kisan, totaling more than Rs 16,800 crore to more than eight crore beneficiary farmers in Belagavi, Karnataka. The PM-Kisan scheme was launched in 2018 to provide financial support to small and marginal farmers across the country. Under this scheme, eligible farmers receive Rs 6,000 per year in three installments of Rs 2,000 each.
The distribution of the 13th installment of PM-Kisan will be done through a direct transfer to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries. This income support scheme has been a major boon for small and marginal farmers, who are often unable to access institutional credit or suffer from low returns due to smaller landholdings.
When PM-Kisan was introduced in February 2019, more than Rs 2.2 lakh crore had been distributed to over 11 crore landholder farmer families across the nation. In May and October of last year, the 11th and 12th installments of the current financial year’s funding were made available.
“Farmers all around the country have already benefited significantly from the PM-Kisan plan, and this next instalment will further increase their incomes and contribute to the expansion of the agriculture industry.” All landholding farmer families in the nation are eligible under the programme, with some restrictions. More than three million women beneficiaries of the scheme have received more than Rs 53,600 crore in funding during the last four years.
In addition to the PM-Kisan scheme, the government has also been implementing various measures to improve the income and livelihoods of farmers in the country. These measures include the promotion of organic farming, the expansion of irrigation facilities, the establishment of farmer producer organizations, and the provision of crop insurance.
According to the ministry, the PM-Kisan funds have increased agricultural investments, loosened credit restrictions for farmers, and stimulated rural economic growth. The ability of farmers to take risks has also increased, resulting in investments that are more fruitful. According to IFPRI, PM-Kisan payments assist users in paying for other expenses including education, marriage and healthcare as well as their agricultural needs.
The disbursement of the 13th installment of PM-Kisan is expected to provide a significant boost to the rural economy, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is also in line with the government’s commitment to doubling farmers’ income by 2022.
The Prime Minister’s visit to Belagavi is expected to draw a large number of farmers from across the region, who will have the opportunity to interact with the Prime Minister and discuss their concerns and suggestions for improving the agriculture sector. The event is expected to be a major boost for the farming community in Karnataka and the country as a whole.
The disbursement of the 13th installment of PM-Kisan is a significant step towards providing financial support to small and marginal farmers in the country. The government’s efforts to improve the agriculture sector and provide a sustainable livelihood to farmers are commendable and must be continued. The PM-Kisan scheme has been instrumental in ensuring the welfare of farmers, and the government must continue to focus on improving the income and livelihoods of farmers in the country.
