Key Highlights

  • Rs 18,680 crore released: PM Narendra Modi released the 24th instalment of PM-KISAN from Bhildi in Gujarat’s Banaskantha district, reaching more than 9.34 crore farmer families.
  • Rs 2,000 per family: Each beneficiary family received Rs 2,000 directly in their bank account.
  • Gujarat’s share: 52.33 lakh farmer families in Gujarat received more than Rs 1,051 crore.
  • Top district: East Champaran in Bihar received about Rs 86 crore, more than any other single district.
  • Rs 4.47 lakh crore so far: The first 23 instalments had already disbursed over Rs 4.47 lakh crore to more than 11 crore farmer families.

Ahmedabad: For millions of farmers getting ready for the Rabi season, Friday’s payment came at the right moment. Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the 24th instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme from Bhildi in Gujarat’s Banaskantha district. More than Rs 18,680 crore went directly into the bank accounts of over 9.34 crore farmer families across the country.

Each beneficiary family received Rs 2,000. In Gujarat alone, 52.33 lakh farmer families got assistance of more than Rs 1,051 crore. Gujarat Agriculture Minister Jitu Vaghani shared the figures with the media and said the first 23 instalments had already disbursed over Rs 4.47 lakh crore to more than 11 crore farmer families. The previous, 23rd instalment was released on June 20 from Tarkeshwar in West Bengal’s Hooghly district.

Seeds, Fertiliser and No Middlemen

Farmers in Ranchi, Jamnagar, Motihari, Jalna, Bhubaneswar and Patna received the aid and thanked the government. Many said the money would strengthen their livelihoods and give them room to try advanced farming practices.

In Bihar’s East Champaran, farmers said the Rs 2,000 would help them buy seeds for both Rabi and Kharif crops. The district was among the top beneficiaries, receiving about Rs 86 crore, more than any other single district. In Patna, farmers said the money remains very useful for buying fertilisers and seeds.

Several farmers highlighted the direct transfer. “There is absolutely no role of intermediaries; all farmers get the requisite help for fertilisers and seeds directly from the government. The scheme, in operation since 2019, has proven highly beneficial to the farming community,” one farmer said.

Ramnath Thakur, Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, joined virtually from Ranchi and said the funds give farmers essential support to get through difficult times.

Voices From Gujarat to Odisha

At the Patel Samaj Bhavan in Jamnagar, a large gathering of farmers said the scheme had reduced their dependence on others for buying fertilisers and seeds. One farmer, who has practised natural farming for 15 years, said he had benefited from organic farming and was now encouraging others to adopt it.

In Bhubaneswar, farmers said the money helps in emergencies, easing the financial strain during sowing and land preparation. In Maharashtra’s Jalna, farmers said they often use it to buy seeds and fertilisers.

The timing explains why the response was so strong. Late October is when Rabi sowing of wheat, mustard and gram begins across much of North and Central India, and input costs peak. For small and marginal farmers, who make up most PM-KISAN beneficiaries, Rs 2,000 may be modest, but arriving at sowing time it can decide whether seed and fertiliser are bought on time or on credit. That is why farmers across states described the instalment less as a bonus and more as a seasonal safety net.

With inputs from IANS