Bhubaneswar: In a significant boost to the state’s agricultural sector, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi today announced the release of the 18th installment of financial assistance under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM Kisan) scheme. Marking PM Kisan Day, the central government initiative aims to enhance farmers’ development and alleviate poverty. The scheme provides Rs. 6,000 annually to farmers, disbursed in three installments of Rs. 2,000 each.
This installment benefits 31,51,700 farmers across Odisha, reflecting the state’s active participation in the scheme. In the previous installment, around 29 lakh farmers were assisted. The state government’s own CM Kisan Yojana supplements the PM Kisan initiative, offering small and marginal farmers an additional Rs. 4,000 in two installments.
During his address, CM Majhi reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring all eligible farmers are included in the scheme. “We are launching a saturation drive from Nuakhai to register every eligible farmer under the PM Kisan and CM Kisan schemes. They can easily access the facilities at Jana Seva Kendras free of cost,” he said. This effort aims to streamline farmer registration, ensuring transparency as funds are transferred directly to beneficiaries’ bank accounts.
Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo and Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari also spoke at the event, lauding PM Kisan’s impact on the state’s agricultural growth. Both leaders highlighted the scheme’s importance for Rabi crops and overall cultivation efforts, encouraging farmers to explore organic farming practices.
The event saw a warm welcome by Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Principal Secretary of the Agriculture Department, while Agriculture Director Premchand Choudhary delivered the vote of thanks. The event underscored the government’s continuous push to support and empower Odisha’s farming community, with both central and state schemes working in synergy to uplift the livelihoods of small and marginal farmers.