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 massive financial infusion into India's agricultural sector. The disbursement will see ₹18,880 crore transferred directly into the bank accounts of over 9.44 crore farmers via the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism.
Massive Financial Outlay for Income Security
The upcoming disbursement, scheduled to take place in Tarakeswar, Hooghly district, reinforces the government's commitment to the income security of small and marginal farmers. Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan noted that since the flagship scheme's inception in 2019, the total cumulative amount transferred under PM-Kisan has now crossed the ₹4.46 lakh crore milestone.
In West Bengal alone, the impact of this instalment will be significant. Approximately 45.35 lakh farmers in the state are slated to receive around ₹907 crore, pushing the state's cumulative PM-Kisan payments beyond ₹15,055 crore.
Strengthening Crop Insurance and Digital Agriculture
Beyond direct cash transfers, the Prime Minister will launch critical agricultural safety nets in West Bengal. This includes the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and the Restructured Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS), backed by a combined outlay of approximately ₹12,200 crore. 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.
To modernize the sector, a new Agri-Tech platform under the Digital Agriculture Mission will be launched. This unified interface aims to streamline fertilizer distribution, Kisan Credit Card services, DBT benefits, and MSP-based government procurement, bringing high-tech efficiency to traditional farming practices.
Promoting Natural Farming and Infrastructure Development
The visit will also mark the launch of the National Natural Farming Mission. In West Bengal, the mission aims to establish 346 natural farming clusters covering 17,300 hectares during 2026-27. This initiative is designed to benefit 43,250 farmers through bio-based inputs and specialized training via 'Krishi Sakhis'.
Furthermore, the Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhanya Krishi Yojana will be rolled out across Purulia, Darjeeling, Alipurduar, and Jhargram districts to boost productivity and post-harvest infrastructure. To complement these efforts, 49 rural road projects worth over ₹213 crore under PMGSY-III will be inaugurated, covering more than 315 km to improve market access and connectivity for remote farming communities.
Key Takeaways
- Direct Financial Support: ₹18,880 crore will be distributed to 9.44 crore farmers, bringing the scheme's lifetime total to over ₹4.46 lakh crore.
- Enhanced Risk Management: A ₹12,200 crore outlay is dedicated to crop insurance schemes (PMFBY and RWBCIS) to protect millions of hectares of farmland.
- Digital and Sustainable Shift: The launch of an Agri-Tech platform and the National Natural Farming Mission signifies a move toward digital integration and eco-friendly agricultural practices.