Modi to Release ₹20,000 Crore for PM-KISAN Scheme, Benefiting Over 9.4 Crore Farmers
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to announce the release of ₹20,000 crore as the 18th instalment of the PM-KISAN scheme on Saturday, October 4. This significant disbursement will directly benefit over 9.4 crore farmers across the nation through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), with the event taking place in Washim, Maharashtra.
In addition to the central aid, Maharashtra farmers will also receive an extra ₹2,000 crore under the state’s Namo Shetkari Mahasanman Nidhi Yojana. With this instalment, the total funds disbursed under the PM-KISAN scheme will surpass ₹3.45 lakh crore, aiding more than 11 crore farmers nationwide.
Overview of the PM-KISAN Scheme
Launched on February 24, 2019, the PM-KISAN scheme provides ₹6,000 annually to landholding farmers, disbursed in three equal instalments. Maharashtra has been a significant beneficiary, receiving about ₹32,000 crore across 17 instalments, supporting around 1.20 crore farmers—making it the second-highest recipient among all states.
For the 18th instalment, approximately 91.51 lakh farmers in Maharashtra will receive over ₹1,900 crore.
Additional Initiatives
During the same event, PM Modi will launch several key initiatives aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity:
- Indigenous Sex-Sorted Semen Production Technology: This new technology aims to reduce production costs by approximately ₹200 per dose, improving livestock genetics.
- Unified Genomic Chip for Cattle and Buffalo: Developed by the animal husbandry department, this innovation aims to advance breeding practices.
- Solar Parks: Five solar parks with a combined capacity of 19 MW will be dedicated under the MSKVY 2.0 scheme, providing daytime electricity and potential income through land leasing for farmers.
- Farmer Producers Organisations (FPOs): The event will see the dedication of 9,200 FPOs and the e-distribution of awards for 3,000 MW under the KUSUM-C scheme.
Dignitaries attending the event include Maharashtra Governor C P Radhakrishnan, Union Ministers Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and Deputy Chief Ministers Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis.
Furthermore, approximately 2.5 crore farmers will participate through webcasts at various centres across the country, as states and Union Territories celebrate the day as PM-KISAN Utsav Divas.
