Prime Minister Narendra Modi, unveiled the most recent installment of the PM KISAN Scheme for agriculture. This announcement was made in his Varanasi constituency on Tuesday.
Variations in the climate, inadequate infrastructure, unemployment, pressure on land, and poverty all exacerbate the suffering of farmers. At the same time, the sector is crucial for food security in addition to employing a large section of the Indian population (more than 70% of rural families rely largely on agricultural income).
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UP CM, Union Agriculture Minister present at event
Yogi Adityanath, the CM of Uttar Pradesh, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the recently appointed minister of agriculture for the Union, and farmers from agricultural cooperatives, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), and Common Service Centers were present for the announcement on Tuesday.
Informational seminars on climate-resilient farming, ethical farming methods, industry technology developments, and the logistical and technical components of the PM-KISAN program were also discussed.
Krishi Sakhi
The 17th installment would see the establishment of Krishi Sakhi women’s self-help groups. This was done through the issuance of certifications to over 30,000 SHGs functioning as agricultural para-extension workers. Moreover, provision of estimated benefits of over INR 20,000 crore to over 92 million farmers was ensured. The program aims to revive the flagging farm industry.
In light of their trusted community status, certificates were given to locally trained Krishi Sakhis (of whom there are currently over 34,000 certified out of 70,000). These Krishi Sakhis were specifically trained as agricultural para-extension workers, assisting and advising farmers in a variety of agricultural practices.
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Scheme intends to increase farmers’ income
The original plan was an effort to help landholding farmers (apart from those with greater incomes) meet their financial obligations. Up until now, the system has included giving farmers and their families INR 6,000 a year in three equal instalments over the course of the year through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). More than 110 million farmers have received payments. The total amount distributed is more than INR 3.04 trillion till now.
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Manasi Gawali is an economics graduate from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai. She is passionate about economics and finance. She enjoys research, writing poems, music, and travel.
