PM Kisan Samrudhi Yojane: Empowering India’s Farmers
Introduction
The PM Kisan Samrudhi Yojane (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samriddhi Yojana) is a vital government initiative aimed at supporting farmers and boosting agricultural prosperity in India. As a continuation and expansion of the original PM-KISAN (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi) scheme, this yojana focuses on improving farmer welfare, increasing income, and ensuring sustainable agricultural practices.
Objectives of PM Kisan Samrudhi Yojane
The main goals of this scheme include:
- Financial Support: Provide direct income support to eligible farmers across the country.
- Modernization: Promote modern farming practices and technology adoption.
- Sustainability: Encourage the use of natural farming, organic fertilizers, and efficient irrigation techniques.
- Inclusivity: Reach small and marginal farmers who often struggle with access to credit and resources.
Key Features
- Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)
- Eligible farmers receive ₹6,000 per year in three equal installments directly into their bank accounts.
- This helps reduce dependency on informal credit and supports daily farming needs.
- Farmer-Centric Approach
- Emphasis on farmer training, soil health, and awareness of market trends.
- Support for digital tools like Kisan e-wallets and mobile apps to ease access to schemes.
- Support for Allied Activities
- Inclusion of livestock, poultry, horticulture, and fisheries under the broader umbrella of the scheme.
- Promotes diversification of income sources.
- Infrastructure and Logistics
- Assistance for storage, cold chains, and farm-to-market connectivity to reduce post-harvest losses.
Eligibility Criteria
- Farmers must be Indian citizens and own cultivable land.
- Tenant farmers, institutional landholders, or those paying income tax are generally excluded.
- Land records must be digitized and verified by the respective state government.
Impact So Far
- Over 11 crore farmers have benefited from the PM-KISAN scheme as of 2025.
- The scheme has provided economic relief during tough times such as the COVID-19 pandemic and erratic monsoons.
- It has improved cash flow and increased investment in seeds, fertilizers, and equipment.
Challenges Ahead
- Awareness and Access: Some farmers, especially in remote areas, still lack awareness or access to digital platforms.
- Data Accuracy: Mismatches in land records and Aadhaar verification can delay payments.
- Implementation Gaps: State-wise variation in execution needs to be addressed for uniform benefit.
Conclusion
The PM Kisan Samrudhi Yojane is a step forward in achieving the vision of “Doubling Farmers’ Income” and creating a self-reliant rural economy. By focusing not just on direct income support but also on long-term agricultural sustainability, the scheme aims to bring about a transformative change in India’s agrarian sector. For this vision to succeed, continuous monitoring, awareness campaigns, and timely policy updates are essential.