The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana (PM-KISAN) was launched by the Government of India in 2019. This scheme aims to provide financial support to farmers across the country by providing them with an income of Rs. 6,000 per annum. The scheme is aimed at providing direct cash transfers to farmers who have small and marginal land holdings. The scheme has been a significant boost to the agricultural sector in India and has helped in improving the lives of farmers.

Objective of the Scheme

The primary objective of the PM-KISAN scheme is to provide financial support to farmers across the country. The scheme aims to ensure that the farmers have the financial resources to support their agricultural activities. The scheme provides a direct cash transfer of Rs. 6,000 per annum to farmers who have small and marginal land holdings. This money can be used by farmers to purchase inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and other agricultural equipment.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the PM-KISAN scheme, farmers must meet certain criteria. Firstly, they must be an Indian citizen. Secondly, they must have a small or marginal landholding. Farmers who own less than two hectares of land are considered to have small landholdings, while those who own between two and five hectares of land are considered to have marginal landholdings. Finally, the farmer must be between 18 and 40 years of age. However, this criterion has been relaxed for widows and disabled persons who are eligible irrespective of their age.

Implementation of the Scheme

The PM-KISAN scheme is implemented by the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation, and Farmers Welfare. The scheme is implemented through a network of banks and post offices across the country. Farmers can register for the scheme online or through the Common Service Centres (CSCs). Once the farmer is registered, the money is directly transferred to their bank account. The scheme has been implemented using the Aadhaar platform, which ensures that there is no duplication of beneficiaries.

Impact of the Scheme

The PM-KISAN scheme has had a significant impact on the lives of farmers across the country. The scheme has provided financial support to farmers who have small and marginal land holdings, enabling them to purchase inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and other agricultural equipment. This has helped in increasing their agricultural productivity and income. Additionally, the scheme has also helped in reducing the debt burden of farmers, which is a significant problem in the agricultural sector. The scheme has also helped in reducing the distress migration of farmers from rural to urban areas in search of employment opportunities.

Challenges Faced by the Scheme

Although the PM-KISAN scheme has been successful, it has faced several challenges. One of the major challenges faced by the scheme is the identification of beneficiaries. The scheme is targeted towards farmers who have small and marginal land holdings. However, identifying these farmers has been a challenge as there is no comprehensive database of landholdings in the country. Additionally, the scheme has also faced challenges in terms of reaching out to farmers in remote areas, where banking facilities are limited.

Conclusion

The PM-KISAN scheme has been a significant boost to the agricultural sector in India. The scheme has provided financial support to farmers who have small and marginal land holdings, enabling them to purchase inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and other agricultural equipment. The scheme has also helped in reducing the debt burden of farmers and in reducing the distress migration of farmers from rural to urban areas in search of employment opportunities. However, the scheme still faces several challenges, including the identification of beneficiaries and reaching out to farmers in remote areas. The government must address these challenges to ensure that the benefits of the scheme reach all eligible farmers across the country.