PM-Kisan 23rd Instalment: ₹18,880 Crore to Benefit 9.44 Crore Farmers

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to release the 23rd instalment of the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme on June 20, marking a massive milestone in India's agricultural support system. This disbursement will transfer ₹18,880 crore directly into the bank accounts of over 9.44 crore farmers nationwide via the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism.

Massive Financial Outlay and Cumulative Impact

The upcoming disbursement, scheduled to take place in Tarakeswar, Hooghly district, represents a significant portion of the government's commitment to rural income security. Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan confirmed that since the scheme's inception in 2019, the total amount transferred under PM-Kisan has surpassed the ₹4.46 lakh crore mark.

West Bengal will see a substantial share of this instalment, with over 45.35 lakh farmers set to receive approximately ₹907 crore. This latest infusion will push the cumulative PM-Kisan payments in the state beyond ₹15,055 crore.

Strengthening Crop Insurance and Digital Agriculture

Beyond direct cash transfers, the Prime Minister will launch major initiatives to safeguard farmer livelihoods against climate risks. A combined outlay of approximately ₹12,200 crore will be deployed for the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and the Restructured Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS). The government has set an ambitious target to provide insurance coverage to nearly 1.10 crore farmers across 30 lakh hectares by 2026-27, protecting crops valued at ₹28,140 crore.

Technological integration is also a key focus. Under the Digital Agriculture Mission, a new Agri-Tech platform will be launched. This unified interface aims to streamline fertilizer distribution, Kisan Credit Card services, DBT benefits, and Minimum Support Price (MSP)-based government procurement, making agricultural management more efficient for the modern farmer.

Promoting Natural Farming and Infrastructure Development

The visit will also mark the launch of the National Natural Farming Mission in West Bengal. The initiative aims to establish 346 natural farming clusters covering 17,300 hectares by 2026-27, benefiting 43,250 farmers through bio-based inputs and specialized training.

Untuk mengatasi tantangan pasca-panen, Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhanya Krishi Yojana akan diperkenalkan di seluruh distrik Purulia, Darjeeling, Alipurduar, dan Jhargram. Skema ini berfokus pada peningkatan produktivitas dan penguatan infrastruktur vital seperti fasilitas penyimpanan dan pengolahan. Selain itu, Perdana Menteri akan meresmikan 49 proyek jalan pedesaan senilai lebih dari ₹213 crore di bawah PMGSY-III, yang membentang sepanjang 315 km untuk meningkatkan akses pasar dan konektivitas bagi komunitas pertanian di daerah terpencil.

Poin-Poin Penting

  • Dukungan Finansial Langsung: ₹18.880 crore sedang didistribusikan kepada 9,44 crore petani, memperkuat total pengeluaran skema menjadi lebih dari ₹4,46 lakh crore sejak 2019.
  • Mitigasi Risiko: Investasi sebesar ₹12.200 crore dalam skema asuransi tanaman bertujuan untuk mencakup 1,10 crore petani pada periode 2026-27.
  • Pergeseran Digital & Berkelanjutan: Peluncuran platform Agri-Tech baru dan National Natural Farming Mission menyoroti langkah menuju digitalisasi layanan dan promosi praktik pertanian ramah lingkungan.