Bhubaneswar: Deputy CM K V Singh Deo, who also holds the Agriculture portfolio, on Wednesday announced disbursal of Rs 682.52 crore under Pradhan Mantri Krushak Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme, benefiting 34,12,000 farmers in Odisha.
The state-level event to mark the disbursal of PM-KISAN money was held alongside the nationwide release of the 21st instalment of the scheme, which was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Coimbatore. Around Rs 18,000 crore was transferred to the bank accounts of over 9 crore farmers across the country with each receiving Rs 2,000.
“Over 34 lakh farmers in Odisha received around Rs 700 crore as the 21st instalment of PM-KISAN, further strengthening their livelihoods and reaffirming our government’s unwavering commitment to farmer welfare,” Singh Deo said.
The Deputy CM further highlighted that Rs 4,000 was being provided annually to farmers in two instalments under the CM-KISAN initiative in the state, in addition to the central scheme. “The government is procuring both Kharif and Rabi paddy at Rs 3,100 per quintal, Rs 800 higher than the Minimum Support Price (MSP). Odisha is among the few states purchasing both seasonal crops at the enhanced rate,” he said.
He also outlined several ongoing initiatives to strengthen the agricultural ecosystem like ric
e fallow Management and cold storage facilities.
Chief Minister Mohan Majhi, who also graced the state-level event at Krushi Bhawan, said that the central government is providing annual financial assistance of Rs 6,000 in three instalments so that farmers can purchase seeds, fertilisers, pesticides etc. at the required time. “34.12 lakh farmers of our state received Rs 2,000 each under this scheme today. This assistance is being provided with complete transparency, and small, medium, large as well as land-holding farmers from urban areas are benefiting from it,” he noted.
Launched in 2019, PM-KISAN is one of India’s largest direct benefit transfer (DBT) programmes. The scheme provides three instalments of Rs 2,000 every four months to eligible land-holding agricultural-practising families. Payments are deposited straight into Aadhaar-linked bank accounts through the central DBT system, minimising delays and leakages.
Mentioning the CM-KISAN scheme, Majhi said that Rs 2,991 crore has been given to 51.54 lakh farmers in the current financial year. This includes 3,236 PVTG farmers and 31,695 urban-area farmers, he added.
The Chief Minister further stated that children of CM-KISAN beneficiaries are being given scholarships for higher and technical education under Krishi Vidyanidhi Yojana. “In the academic year 2024-25, 13,923 students have been provided scholarships amounting to Rs 53.67 crore under this scheme, which is five times more than the previous year,” he said.
With Kandhamal, Malkangiri, Sundargarh and Nuapada districts of Odisha selected under the PM Dhan-Dhanya Krishi Yojana, the Chief Minister, on behalf of the farmers of the state, also expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister.