The agricultural sector plays a vital role in the Indian economy, supporting nearly half of the country’s population and contributing significantly to GDP. Yet, for decades, Indian farmers have faced challenges such as fragmented landholdings, insufficient irrigation, fluctuating market prices, and lack of modernisation. Recognising the urgent need to support farmers directly, the Indian government introduced various policies to improve their socio-economic status. Among these initiatives, the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) has emerged as a flagship scheme aimed at providing financial assistance to small and marginal farmers.
Launched in February 2019, the PM-KISAN scheme seeks to alleviate the financial strain faced by farmers by providing direct income support, thereby ensuring a stable livelihood. It represents a transformative approach in Indian agriculture, shifting from indirect subsidies and price support systems to direct financial transfers to farmers. This article explores the details of the scheme, its significance, implementation challenges, and its impact on Indian agriculture and rural development.
Overview of the PM-KISAN Scheme
The PM-KISAN scheme provides eligible farmers with ₹6,000 annually in three equal instalments of ₹2,000. These instalments are directly transferred to the beneficiaries' bank accounts, thereby reducing the likelihood of corruption and delays. Initially, the scheme targeted small and marginal farmers with landholdings of up to 2 hectares, but in May 2019, it was extended to include all farmer families, irrespective of the size of their landholdings.
A "farmer family" is defined as a family unit comprising a husband, wife, and minor children who jointly own cultivable land as per the records of the respective state or union territory. This expanded scope ensures that even larger landholders, who also face income volatility due to fluctuating market prices and other factors, benefit from the scheme.
Objectives and Rationale
The primary objective of the PM-KISAN scheme is
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