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 scheme on June 20, marking a significant milestone in India's direct benefit transfer efforts. The massive disbursement will provide much-needed financial liquidity to over 9.44 crore farmers nationwide through a direct digital transfer.
Massive Financial Outlay for Small and Marginal Farmers
In a major boost to rural income security, the government will transfer ₹18,880 crore directly into the bank accounts of 9.44 crore beneficiaries. This upcoming disbursement, scheduled to take place in Tarakeswar, Hooghly district, West Bengal, brings the total cumulative amount transferred under the PM-Kisan flagship scheme since its inception in 2019 to over ₹4.46 lakh crore.
The impact in West Bengal is particularly noteworthy. In the state alone, more than 45.35 lakh farmers are slated to receive approximately ₹907 crore. This latest round of funding will push the cumulative PM-Kisan payments in West Bengal beyond the ₹15,055 crore mark, reinforcing the scheme's role in strengthening the economic resilience of small and marginal landholders.
Expanding the Safety Net: Crop Insurance and Natural Farming
Beyond direct cash transfers, the Prime Minister’s visit to West Bengal will feature the launch of critical agricultural safety nets. The government is set to roll out the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and the Restructured Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS) with a massive combined outlay of ₹12,200 crore. The long-term vision is ambitious: by 2026-27, the government aims to provide insurance coverage to nearly 1.10 crore farmers across 30 lakh hectares, protecting crops valued at approximately ₹28,140 crore.
Furthering the push for sustainable agriculture, the National Natural Farming Mission will also be launched. The initiative plans to establish 346 natural farming clusters covering 17,300 hectares in West Bengal by 2026-27. This programme is designed to assist 43,250 farmers through specialized training, bio-based inputs, and market linkages supported by 'Krishi Sakhis' and bio-resource centres.
Digital Transformation and Infrastructure Development
Kerajaan sedang memanfaatkan teknologi untuk melancarkan ekosistem pertanian melalui Misi Pertanian Digital. Sebuah platform Agri-Tech baharu akan dilancarkan, menyediakan antara muka bersepadu untuk perkhidmatan penting termasuk pengagihan baja, perkhidmatan Kisan Credit Card (KCC), manfaat DBT, dan perolehan berasaskan Harga Sokongan Minimum (MSP).
Bagi melengkapi kemajuan digital dan biologi ini, infrastruktur fizikal juga sedang diberi keutamaan. Perdana Menteri akan merasmikan 49 projek jalan luar bandar di bawah PMGSY-III, yang bernilai lebih daripada ₹213 crore. Merangkumi lebih daripada 315 km, jalan-jalan ini bertujuan untuk merapatkan jurang antara ladang dan pasaran sambil meningkatkan akses kepada penjagaan kesihatan dan pendidikan penting di kawasan pedalaman. Selain itu, Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhanya Krishi Yojana akan diperkenalkan di daerah-daerah utama seperti Purulia dan Darjeeling untuk meningkatkan keupayaan penyimpanan dan pemprosesan pasca-tuai.
Ringkasan Utama
- Sokongan Kewangan Langsung: ₹18,880 crore akan dipindahkan kepada 9.44 crore petani, melonjakkan jumlah penyaluran PM-Kisan sejak 2019 melebihi ₹4.46 lakh crore.
- Mitigasi Risiko yang Dipertingkatkan: Peruntukan sebanyak ₹12,200 crore dikhususkan untuk skim insurans tanaman (PMFBY dan RWBCIS) bagi melindungi tanaman yang bernilai lebih daripada ₹28,000 crore.
- Integrasi Digital & Fizikal: Pelancaran platform Agri-Tech bersepadu dan projek jalan luar bandar bernilai ₹213 crore bertujuan untuk memodenkan akses pasaran dan penyampaian perkhidmatan.