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Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Scheme
Context:
The Union Government, on June 10, released the 17th installment of the PM Kisan Nidhi as the first decision of the newly sworn-in government.
More on News:
- The scheme will benefit 9.3 crore farmers.
- Approximately Rs 20,000 crore will be distributed to the farmers.
- The Union government expressed intent to continue working even more for the farmers and the agriculture sector in the future.
About Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Scheme:
- It is a Central Sector Scheme with 100% funding from the Government of India.
- Under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
- Launched on 24th February, 2019.
- It provides financial assistance to all cultivable land holding farmer families across the country, subject to certain exclusion criteria.
- The scheme was initially meant for small and marginal farmers (SMFs) having landholding up to 2 hectares but scope of the scheme was extended to cover all landholding farmer families.
- Definition of family for the scheme is husband, wife and minor children.
Objectives of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi:
- Introduce the scheme to enhance income for SMFs.
- Address Financial Inclusion: Facilitate procurement of essential inputs for optimal crop health and yields.
- Ensure Sustainable Farming Income: Safeguard SMFs from resorting to moneylenders for agricultural expenses, promoting sustained engagement in farming.
- The Economic Survey of 2023 highlights that the implementation of the scheme, along with the encouragement of allied activities, has resulted in farmers diversifying their income sources.
- This diversification has enhanced their ability to withstand weather-related challenges.
Features of the Scheme:
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- Scope and Scale: Aimed at benefiting 12 crore small and marginal farmers.
- Annual budgetary allocation of Rs 75,000 crore.
- Direct Benefit Transfer: Amount transferred directly into beneficiaries’ bank accounts.
- Disbursement in three tranches of Rs 2,000 each.
- Scope and Scale: Aimed at benefiting 12 crore small and marginal farmers.
- Ensured Income: Provides Rs. 6,000 in three equal instalments every four months.
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- Beneficiaries have autonomy in spending the received money.
- Funding Source: All funds sourced from the central government.
- States and Union Territories identify beneficiaries, while funding is provided by the Government of India.
- Aadhaar Requirement: Aadhaar data is mandatory for enrollment.
- Self-Registration Mechanism: Beneficiaries can register through PM KISAN mobile app or Common Service Centers.
- Centralised Call Center: Dedicated support for addressing registration issues and grievances.
- In 2023, the introduction of an AI Chatbot into the Scheme.
- This chatbot, among other functions, aims to provide farmers with prompt, clear and accurate responses to their queries.
- Mandatory annual physical verification for 5% of beneficiaries to ensure scheme authenticity.
Challenges Faced by PM-KISAN:
- Database Errors: numerous errors and omissions, resulting in many eligible farmers being unable to avail of benefits.
- Lack of Awareness: farmers are unaware of their eligibility for the scheme..
- Delays in identifying beneficiaries and releasing funds.
- The verification process faces issues like faulty documentation, duplicate entries, and record-keeping errors.
- The annual financial benefit of Rs 6000 may not be sufficient for some farmers.
Way Forward:
- Digitisation: Use AI and machine learning for a transparent, efficient beneficiary database.
- Awareness Campaigns: Use TV, radio, and social media to inform farmers about eligibility and benefits.
- Policy Changes: Simplify processes for identifying beneficiaries and disbursing funds; incentivize modern farming techniques.
- Extension Services: Partner with universities and institutes for best practices and technology to boost productivity and income.
- Crop Insurance: Collaborate with insurers to make crop insurance accessible and affordable, reducing financial risks.
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State-Level Agricultural Support Schemes Similar to PM KISAN:
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