Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Scheme

Introduction

Agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy, employing a significant portion of the country’s workforce and contributing substantially to its GDP. However, the sector has long been plagued by challenges such as low productivity, insufficient income, and financial instability among farmers. To address these issues, the Government of India introduced the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme in 2019. This flagship program aims to provide direct income support to small and marginal farmers, ensuring financial stability and enabling investment in agriculture. In this article, we delve into the key features, objectives, implementation, benefits, and challenges of the PM-KISAN scheme.

Empowering India’s Farmers

Objectives of PM-KISAN

The PM-KISAN scheme was launched with several objectives aimed at alleviating the hardships of farmers and promoting agricultural development:

1. Income Support: To provide a steady source of income to small and marginal farmers, helping them meet their agricultural and domestic needs.
2. Poverty Alleviation: To reduce the economic vulnerability of rural farming households and minimize farmer distress.
3. Promotion of Investment: To encourage farmers to invest in modern agricultural practices, technologies, and inputs for enhanced productivity.
4. Rural Development: To stimulate the rural economy by increasing farmers’ purchasing power and reducing indebtedness.

Key Features of the Scheme

1. Eligibility Criteria:
   • Initially targeted at small and marginal farmers owning up to 2 hectares of cultivable land, the scheme was later expanded to include all farmer families irrespective of landholding size.
   • Exclusions apply to institutional landholders, government employees, income taxpayers, and professionals such as doctors and engineers.
2. Financial Assistance:
   • Eligible farmer families receive ₹6,000 per year in three equal installments of ₹2,000 each.
   • The amount is directly transferred to the beneficiary’s bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), ensuring transparency and minimizing leakages.
3. Digital Implementation:
   • A dedicated online portal allows farmers to register, check their status, and receive updates about the scheme.
   • States and Union Territories play a crucial role in identifying beneficiaries and ensuring their enrollment.
4. Nationwide Coverage:
   • The scheme covers all states and Union Territories, benefiting over 12 crore farmers across the country.

Implementation and Monitoring

The implementation of PM-KISAN involves a collaborative approach between the Central Government and State/UT administrations:

1. Beneficiary Identification:
   • State and UT governments are responsible for identifying eligible farmer families based on land records and socio-economic surveys.
2. Database Management:
   • A comprehensive farmer database is maintained, linking beneficiaries with their Aadhaar numbers to ensure authenticity and avoid duplication.
3. Disbursement:
   • Funds are directly credited to beneficiaries’ bank accounts through the Public Financial Management System (PFMS).
4. Grievance Redressal:
   • Farmers can report issues or discrepancies through a dedicated helpline and online grievance portal.

Benefits of PM-KISAN

1. Economic Stability:
   • Regular income support provides a financial cushion to farmers, helping them manage agricultural and household expenses.
2. Reduction in Rural Distress:
   • By addressing the immediate financial needs of farmers, the scheme reduces rural poverty and instances of farmer suicides.
3. Encouragement for Modern Practices:
   • The additional income enables farmers to invest in better seeds, fertilizers, equipment, and irrigation facilities.
4. Boost to the Rural Economy:
   • Increased purchasing power among farmers stimulates demand for goods and services, driving rural economic growth.
5. Administrative Efficiency:
   • The use of digital platforms ensures transparency, minimizes corruption and speeds up fund disbursement.

Challenges and Criticisms

Despite its numerous benefits, PM-KISAN faces several challenges and criticisms:

1. Exclusion Errors:
   • Many eligible farmers are excluded due to discrepancies in land records, lack of documentation, or administrative lapses.
2. Limited Financial Support:
   • Critics argue that ₹6,000 per year is insufficient to address the financial needs of farmers, especially given rising input costs.
3. Implementation Issues:
   • Variability in the efficiency of state-level implementation has led to delays and uneven distribution of benefits.
4. Exclusion of Tenant Farmers:
   • The scheme benefits landowners, often leaving out tenant farmers and sharecroppers who do not own land.
5. Over-Reliance on Land Records:
   • Inaccurate or outdated land records in several states hinder the identification of beneficiaries.

Impact of PM-KISAN

Since its launch, PM-KISAN has had a significant impact on India’s agricultural sector and rural economy:

1. Financial Relief:
   • The scheme has provided timely financial relief to millions of farmers, helping them cope with challenges such as crop failures and price fluctuations.
2. Increased Farmer Confidence:
   • The assured income support has boosted farmers’ confidence, enabling them to take calculated risks and invest in better farming practices.
3. Support During Crises:
   • During the COVID-19 pandemic, the scheme proved to be a lifeline for farmers, ensuring uninterrupted financial assistance.

Suggestions for Improvement

To enhance the effectiveness of PM-KISAN, several measures can be considered:

1. Inclusion of Tenant Farmers:
   • Expanding the scheme to include tenant farmers, sharecroppers, and agricultural laborers would make it more inclusive.
2. Increase in Financial Support:
   • Raising the annual assistance amount would provide more substantial relief to farmers.
3. Streamlined Implementation:
   • Improved coordination between the Central and State governments can address implementation issues and ensure timely disbursement.
4. Focus on Awareness:
   • Conducting awareness campaigns can help farmers understand the scheme’s benefits and application process.
5. Regular Monitoring and Evaluation:
   • Periodic assessments can help identify gaps and improve the scheme’s design and delivery.

Conclusion

The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme represents a significant step towards empowering India’s farmers and addressing the challenges of the agricultural sector. Providing direct income support has alleviated financial distress and promoted rural development. However, to realize its full potential, the scheme must overcome implementation challenges and adopt a more inclusive approach. With sustained efforts, PM-KISAN can serve as a cornerstone of India’s agricultural transformation, ensuring a brighter future for the nation’s farmers and rural communities.

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