New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to release the 17th installment of approximately Rs 20,000 crore under the PM-KISAN scheme in Varanasi on June 18, 2024. This installment will benefit over 9.26 crore farmers across the country. The announcement was made today by Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, during a press conference.
The event, organized by the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in coordination with the Government of Uttar Pradesh, will also see PM Modi granting certificates to over 30,000 self-help groups (SHGs) as Krishi Sakhis. Esteemed dignitaries, including the Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and various other ministers, will be in attendance.
Strengthening Agriculture
During the press conference, Minister Chouhan expressed gratitude to PM Modi for prioritizing the agriculture sector. “Agriculture is the foundation of the Indian economy, and it remains the most significant source of employment. Our farmers are crucial in ensuring the country’s food security,” Chouhan stated.
He highlighted that agriculture and farmers have always been a top priority for PM Modi, who has implemented numerous welfare measures for them. The release of the 17th installment of PM-KISAN, totaling over Rs 20,000 crore, underscores the government’s continued commitment to supporting farmers.
PM-KISAN Scheme
Launched on February 24, 2019, the PM-KISAN scheme aims to supplement the financial needs of all land-holding farmers, subject to certain exclusion criteria. Chouhan emphasized the scheme’s transparency, noting that over Rs 3.04 lakh crore has been disbursed to more than 11 crore farmers across India. With the upcoming release, the total amount transferred since the scheme’s inception will surpass Rs 3.24 lakh crore.
Krishi Sakhis Initiative
Chouhan also discussed the Krishi Sakhi program, which trains women to support farmers and earn additional income. “Many sisters have been trained to support farmers through various agricultural activities, potentially earning 60,000 to 80,000 rupees annually,” he said. PM Modi will distribute certificates to 5 Krishi Sakhis as a token gesture during the event.
The Krishi Sakhi program has been implemented in 12 states: Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Odisha, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, and Meghalaya. Currently, over 34,000 Krishi Sakhis out of 70,000 have been certified as Para-extension Workers.
Nationwide Participation and Broadcast
The program will be broadcast live on DD, DD Kisan, My Gov, YouTube, Facebook, and at various Krishi Vigyan Kendras and over five lakh Common Service Centers nationwide. Chouhan encouraged farmers to participate through any available medium to connect with the program and the Prime Minister.
As part of the day’s activities, Union Ministers will visit 50 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) to interact with farmers and raise awareness about various agricultural schemes. The event aims to reach approximately 2.5 crore farmers across the country, with participation from 732 KVKs, over 1 lakh Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies, and 5 lakh Common Service Centers.
Empowering Women in Agriculture
Highlighting the critical role of women in agriculture, Chouhan mentioned a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development to further support women in the sector. He also spoke about the PM-Kisan scheme, which provides financial benefits of Rs 6,000 per year to farmers in three equal installments, and the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, which offers financial security to over 4 crore farmers.
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