The correct answer is: a) Income support to farmers.
The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme is a direct income support scheme for farmers in India. It was launched on 1 December 2018 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The scheme provides an annual income support of â¹6,000 (US$82) to all farmers who have a landholding of up to 2 hectares. The amount is paid in three equal installments of â¹2,000 each directly into the bank accounts of the farmers.
The scheme is aimed at providing financial assistance to farmers and helping them to increase their income. It is also expected to help in reducing rural poverty and improving the living standards of farmers.
The scheme has been welcomed by farmers and agricultural experts. They have said that the scheme will provide much-needed financial assistance to farmers and help them to improve their livelihoods.
The scheme has also been criticized by some people. They have said that the scheme is not well-targeted and that the benefits will not reach all farmers. They have also said that the scheme is not sustainable in the long run.
Despite the criticism, the PM-KISAN scheme is a popular scheme and has been well-received by farmers. It is expected to have a positive impact on the agricultural sector in India.
The other options are incorrect because:
- Option b) Crop insurance is not provided under the PM-KISAN scheme. Farmers can purchase crop insurance from private insurance companies or from the government-run National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS).
- Option c) Subsidized agricultural loans are not provided under the PM-KISAN scheme. Farmers can avail of loans from banks at a concessional rate of interest under the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme.
- Option d) Market linkages are not provided under the PM-KISAN scheme. Farmers can sell their produce to government-run procurement agencies or to private buyers.