PM Modi rolls out ₹22,000 crore PM-KISAN boost for 9.8 crore farmers; here's how to apply, eligibility criteria, more

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the release of the 19th instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Yojana in Bhagalpur on Monday, marking the 6th anniversary of the scheme's launch. This instalment will provide over ₹22,000 crore in direct financial assistance to 9.8 crore farmers, including 2.41 crore female farmers.

Each eligible farmer family will receive ₹6,000 annually, disbursed in three instalments of ₹2,000 every four months.

The funds will be transferred directly to the beneficiaries' bank accounts via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

“The aim is to increase production, reduce the cost of production, ensure fair prices for produce, compensate for crop losses, diversify agriculture, and reduce costs through important schemes like the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme,” the government had said in a previous press release earlier.

“In the 19th instalment, about 76.37 lakh farmers will benefit from more than ₹1,591 crores, bringing the total benefit amount transferred to beneficiaries in Bihar to around ₹27,088 crores. In Bhagalpur only, so far over ₹813.87 crore have been transferred to around 2.82 Lakh beneficiaries under 18 instalments of PM KISAN. In the 19th instalment around 2.48 lakhs beneficiaries will receive benefits of over ₹51.22 crore. With this the total amount will reach around ₹865.09 crores,” a press release dated February 22 said.

Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday had said that Bihar alone has received more than ₹25,497 crores through previous instalments, benefiting more than 86.56 lakh farmers in the state. Bihar elections are scheduled for later this year.

With the release of the 19th instalment, a total of 3.68 lakh crores will reach the farmers' accounts.

Chouhan said, “small farmers used to face difficulties in buying seeds and fertilizers at the time of sowing and had to take loans at interest to meet their needs, but now they are able to meet the necessary agricultural expenses from this fund.”

Farmers used to get a maximum of ₹3 lakh on the Kisan Credit Card but now that limit has been increased to ₹5 lakh.

How to Apply for PM-KISAN

• Online Application:

1. Visit the official website pmkisan.gov.in.

• Offline Application:

1. If you cannot apply online, visit your nearest Common Service Center (CSC).

Eligibility Criteria

• Small and marginal farmers with land up to 2 hectares.

Documents Required

• Aadhaar card.

Who Can Apply

• Farmers with land holdings of up to 2 hectares.

Modi's visit to Bhagalpur is part of a nationwide "Kisan Samman Samaroh" to create awareness about government schemes for farmers. Events are expected to be held at various levels across the country, from state to gram panchayat levels, and at 731 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs). PM Modi is also going to inaugurate several major infrastructure projects, including a ₹113.27 crore state-of-the-art dairy plant in Barauni with a processing capacity of 2 lakh liters, a ₹33.80 crore project to boost cattle breeding and dairy productivity under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission, a ₹526 crore project to enhance rail capacity and connectivity and Ismailpur–Rafiganj Road Over Bridge, a ₹47 crore initiative to address traffic congestion and improve safety.