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.
To address post-harvest challenges, the Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhanya Krishi Yojana will be introduced across the Purulia, Darjeeling, Alipurduar, and Jhargram districts. This scheme focuses on boosting productivity and strengthening vital infrastructure like storage and processing facilities. Additionally, the Prime Minister will inaugurate 49 rural road projects worth over ₹213 crore under PMGSY-III, spanning 315 km to improve market access and connectivity for remote agricultural communities.
Key Takeaways
- Direct Financial Support: ₹18,880 crore is being distributed to 9.44 crore farmers, reinforcing the total scheme expenditure to over ₹4.46 lakh crore since 2019.
- Risk Mitigation: A ₹12,200 crore investment in crop insurance schemes aims to cover 1.10 crore farmers by the 2026-27 period.
- Digital & Sustainable Shift: The launch of a new Agri-Tech platform and the National Natural Farming Mission highlights a move toward digitizing services and promoting eco-friendly farming practices.