Bhubaneswar: Over 34.85 lakh farmers in Odisha received the 20th installment of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi assistance on Saturday during a nationwide disbursal event led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh.
During the event held at ICAR-CIFA, on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi disbursed the assistance totalling Rs 697 crore, with each eligible beneficiary receiving Rs 2,000. The assistance, covering April to July this year, was directly transferred to farmers’ bank accounts, ensuring transparency.
All farmers, small, medium, or large, including those in urban areas, benefit from this scheme
“Our government is a people’s government and a government for farmers. Within just a year, we have implemented numerous schemes for you, and you are reaping their benefits. Under the CM Kisan scheme, over 50 lakh farmers in our state receive Rs 4,000 annually. Combined with PM Kisan and CM Kisan, farmers are receiving Rs 10,000 per year, which is a matter of pride for us,” the CM said.
Majhi noted that August 2 is being celebrated as “PM Kisan Diwas” across the country and the state, with similar events held in all districts, blocks, and panchayats. “Awareness about eligibility criteria for inclusion in the scheme is also created among farmers. My goal is to include all eligible farmers under the PM Kisan scheme. Special saturation drives have been conducted in all blocks to ensure no eligible farmer is left out. As you begin the Kharif season, this scheme, among many introduced by the PM, directly provides financial assistance. Alongside regular farming, it helps to accelerate crop diversification, engage in profitable activities like pisciculture and animal husbandry, and increase your income. This will not only double but multiply your earnings, fulfilling the Prime Minister’s vision.”
Under the Samruddha Krushak Yojana, an additional Rs 800 per quintal of paddy is provided as input assistance. Last year, nearly 17 lakh farmers received around Rs 6,000 crore during the Kharif season, and over 3 lakh farmers received more than Rs 1,600 crore during the Rabi season, he said.
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo said that Rs 697 crore is being provided to 34,85,881 farmers, enabling them to purchase seeds and fertiliser. “The state government is committed to doubling farmers’ income. By increasing the procurement price of paddy to Rs 3,100, we have boosted farmers’ earnings.”
He also urged farmers to diversify, grow oilseeds and adopt alternate crops for soil conservation. “We must focus not only on higher income but also on health. Organic farming is the way forward,” he said.
he also mentioned Odisha receiving the Agriculture Today Award.
Among others, Agriculture Principal Secretary Arabinda Padhee, Pipili MLA Ashrit Pattnaik, Ekamra-Bhubaneswar MLA Babu Singh, Khurda MLA Prasant Jagadev and Vice-Chancellor of Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology Professor Prabhat Kumar Roul were present.