Agriculture continues to be the backbone of India’s economy. However, farmers often face financial distress due to unpredictable weather, fluctuating prices, and lack of access to credit. To address this, the Government of India introduced the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) in 2019.
What is PM-KISAN?
It’s a Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme that provides ₹6,000 per year to eligible farmers in three equal installments of ₹2,000.
Objectives
- To support small and marginal farmers.
- To ensure regular income and promote financial stability.
- To increase investment in seeds, fertilizers, and farm equipment.
Eligibility Criteria
- All small and marginal landholder farmers owning up to 2 hectares of land.
- Must be registered in land records of state/UT.
Exclusions
- Institutional landholders.
- Serving or retired government employees.
- Income tax payers.
- Professionals like doctors, engineers, chartered accountants, etc.
Payment System
- Installments are transferred directly to Aadhaar-linked bank accounts.
- Payments are made every four months: April-July, August-November, and December-March.
Registration Process
- Online Registration via pmkisan.gov.in
- Offline Registration at local CSCs or revenue departments.
- Aadhaar, bank details, and land records are essential.
Achievements So Far
- Over 12 crore farmers have received assistance.
- A total disbursement of more than ₹2.5 lakh crore till 2025.
- Widely praised for transparency and direct benefits.
Integration with Other Schemes
- Works in sync with Kisan Credit Card (KCC).
- Links with PM Fasal Bima Yojana for insurance.
- Encourages use of Soil Health Cards and e-NAM platforms.
Challenges
- Exclusion errors due to land record discrepancies.
- Slow registration in tribal and remote areas.
- Awareness gap among non-literate farmers.
Way Forward
- Use of Geo-tagging and satellite verification to ensure accurate land ownership.
- Multi-lingual mobile app to track payment status and register complaints.
- Regular awareness campaigns via Krishi Vigyan Kendras and Gram Sabhas.
Conclusion
PM-KISAN is not just a welfare scheme—it’s a financial lifeline for millions of farmers. With proper implementation and awareness, it can play a critical role in building a self-sustaining agricultural ecosystem in India.
