Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN): A helping hand for farmers

India is an agricultural country. The contribution of farming and farmers to the economy here is huge. But it is also true that our farmers often face financial difficulties, weather conditions and market uncertainties. In view of these problems, the Government of India launched the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme in 2019. This scheme has brought a big relief to small and marginal farmers. Today we will talk about this scheme in detail, so that you can understand it easily and take advantage of it.

Table of Contents

What is PM-KISAN Scheme?

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana is an initiative under which financial assistance is given to small and marginal farmers. Under this scheme, eligible farmers are given an amount of Rs 6,000 every year. This amount is deposited directly into the bank accounts of the farmers in three equal installments i.e. Rs 2,000 every four months. The purpose of this money is to help farmers procure resources necessary for farming, such as seeds, fertilizers, or other needs.

This scheme is designed for those farmers who have land holdings up to 2 hectares (about 5 acres). This means that small and marginal farmers, who often face financial difficulties, can take advantage of this scheme. Since this amount comes directly into the bank account, transparency is maintained and there is no interference of middlemen.

Objective of the scheme

The main objective of PM-KISAN is to increase the income of farmers and strengthen their economic condition. There are many uncertainties in farming, such as drought, flood, or fall in the price of crops. In such a situation, this scheme provides a regular financial support to the farmers so that they can fulfill their needs. Apart from this, this scheme uses digital technology to ensure that the help reaches the farmers directly.

With this, the government aims to reduce the need for farmers to take loans for farming. The amount of Rs 6,000 may not seem very large, but for small farmers, it proves to be very helpful for seeds, fertilizers, or small expenses.

Who can avail the benefit of this scheme?

There are some conditions to avail the benefits of PM-KISAN scheme. If you fulfill these conditions, then you can be eligible for this scheme:

Farmer Family: In the scheme, ‘farmer family’ means husband, wife and their children below 18 years of age. The family should have cultivable land up to 2 hectares.
Name must be registered: The name of the farmer must be registered in the land records. This record is with the state government, like Khasra-Khatauni.
Aadhaar Card: Aadhaar card is necessary to avail the benefits of the scheme. This ensures that the amount reaches the right person.
Bank account: The farmer must have an active bank account, which is linked to Aadhaar. The amount is given through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

However, some people cannot take advantage of this scheme. Such as:

If you are in a government job or receive pension (monthly pension more than Rs 10,000).
If you are an income tax payer.
If you are a professional like doctor, lawyer, engineer.
If you are an MLA, MP or hold any other big position.

How to apply?

Applying for PM-KISAN scheme is very easy. You can do it both online and offline. Below are some easy steps:

Offline Application:

Visit your nearest Common Service Centre (CSC) or Patwari/Lekhpal office.
There you will have to fill a form, in which you will have to provide your name, Aadhaar number, bank account and land details.
Submit the required documents, such as Aadhar card, bank passbook, and land papers (Khasra-Khatauni).
Once the form is submitted, your application will go for verification.

Online Application:

Visit the official website of PM-KISAN.
There, click on ‘New Farmer Registration’ in the ‘Farmers Corner’ section.
Enter your Aadhaar number and fill in the remaining details like name, address, bank account number, etc.
After submitting the form, your application will be sent for scrutiny.

Helpline Number: In case of any issue, you can contact PM-KISAN helpline number 155261 or 1800115526 (toll-free).

Process and transparency of the scheme

To make the PM-KISAN scheme completely transparent, the government has resorted to digital technology. The data of all eligible farmers is uploaded on the online portal. After this, the state and central government together check this data. If your application is found correct, an installment of Rs 2,000 comes to your account every four months.

Apart from this, if you want to know whether your installment has arrived or not, you can check it by going to the ‘Beneficiary Status’ section on the PM-KISAN portal and entering your Aadhaar number or mobile number. If for some reason your installment has stopped, you can get it fixed by contacting your nearest CSC center or helpline.

Impact of the scheme

Since the launch of PM-KISAN scheme, lakhs of farmers have benefited from it. By 2023, about 12 crore farmers have been helped under this scheme. So far, more than 17 installments have been released, and crores of rupees have reached the accounts of farmers.

The biggest advantage of this scheme is that it provides financial security to small farmers. For example, a small farmer who cultivates wheat or paddy can use this amount to buy seeds, fertilizers, or for small expenses. This reduces his need to take loans.

Some challenges

Although this scheme is very beneficial, it also has some challenges. Such as:

Aadhaar and bank account linking: Some farmers do not have Aadhaar card or their bank account is not linked with Aadhaar. This stops their application.
Land records: Many times the application gets rejected because the land papers are old or incorrect.
Lack of awareness: Many farmers in rural areas do not have complete information about this scheme, due to which they are not able to take advantage of it.

The government has taken several steps to solve these problems. For example, special camps are being organized to link Aadhaar and bank accounts. Also, awareness campaigns are being run through Gram Panchayats and CSC centers.

Tips for farmers

If you want to take advantage of this scheme, then keep some things in mind:

Get your Aadhar card and bank account linked.
Keep the land papers updated. If there is any mistake, get it corrected immediately at the Patwari or Tehsil office.
Keep checking your status on the PM-KISAN portal from time to time.
If you have any problem, seek help from the helpline number or CSC center.

conclusion

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana is a big ray of hope for the farmers of our country. This scheme not only helps them financially but also increases their confidence. This amount is very helpful for small and marginal farmers to fulfill small needs in farming. If you or someone in your family is eligible for this scheme, then apply immediately and take advantage of it.

Farmers are the backbone of our country. It is their hard work that brings food to our plates. Schemes like PM-KISAN are a small effort to honour their contribution and make their lives easier. So come, take advantage of this scheme and tell the farmers around you about it too.