The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN), launched in 2019, is a landmark direct income support scheme aimed at providing financial assistance to crores of Indian farmers. The initiative recognizes the economic challenges faced by the agriculture sector and aims to augment the income of farmers, revitalizing rural livelihoods across the country.
Key Features of PM-KISAN
- Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): Financial support of ₹6000 per year is transferred directly into the bank accounts of eligible farmer families in three equal installments.
- Landholding-Based Eligibility: All farmers with cultivable landholdings are eligible, subject to certain exclusions, making the scheme inclusive.
- Self-Registration and Verification: Farmers apply for the scheme through an online portal or at Common Service Centers (CSCs), with their details verified against land ownership records.
Impact of PM-KISAN
- Supplementing Farm Income: The additional income helps farmers meet input costs, reduce reliance on informal credit, and improve financial security.
- Investment Support: Provides farmers with greater financial resources to reinvest in fertilizers, seeds, and agricultural improvements.
- Boosting Demand: Enhanced financial wellbeing among farmers contributes to increased rural spending and overall economic activity.
- Psychological Relief: Income support provides farmers with a sense of stability during periods of price fluctuations or crop losses.
Success Stories under PM-KISAN
- Empowering Small Farmers: Marginal and small-scale farmers, who form the backbone of Indian agriculture, benefit significantly from PM-KISAN’s income support.
- Mitigating Distress: PM-KISAN offers a crucial lifeline and prevents farmers from falling into a debt trap due to crop failures or market instability.
FAQs about PM-KISAN
- Who is eligible for PM-KISAN? All landholding farmer families, subject to exclusions (government employees, professionals, etc.).
- How do farmers register for PM-KISAN? Farmers can register online through the PM-KISAN portal (pmkisan.gov.in) or by visiting their nearest CSC.
MCQs
The primary purpose of PM-KISAN is to:
A. Provide modern machinery to farmers
B. Supply free seeds and fertilizers
C. Offer direct income support to farmers
D. Construct irrigation canals
Under PM-KISAN, how much financial assistance is provided per year to each eligible farmer family?
A. ₹5,000
B. ₹10,000
C. ₹6,000
D. ₹20,000