On October 5, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially released the 18th instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme, providing significant financial relief to over 9.4 crore farmers across the country. This initiative disbursed more than Rs 20,000 crore through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), eliminating the need for intermediaries in the process.
The event was graced by notable dignitaries, including C.P. Radhakrishnan, Governor of Maharashtra; Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Minister of Agriculture, Government of India; Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying; Eknath Shinde, Chief Minister of Maharashtra; Deputy Chief Ministers Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis; as well as Sanjay Rathod, Minister of Soil & Water Conservation and Guardian Minister for Washim and Yavatmal districts.
A remarkable 2.5 crore farmers participated in the event, connecting through a live webcast from 732 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), over 1 lakh Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies, and 5 lakh Common Service Centres across the nation. The day was celebrated as PM-KISAN Utsav Divas, with special events organized in various States and Union Territories.
This occasion underscored the government’s continued commitment to enhancing farmers’ livelihoods through direct financial assistance. Launched on February 24, 2019, the PM-KISAN scheme aims to provide Rs 6,000 annually to landholding farmers in three equal instalments. With the release of the 18th instalment, the total amount disbursed under the scheme will exceed Rs 3.45 lakh crore, benefiting more than 11 crore farmers nationwide and further solidifying the government’s focus on rural development and agricultural prosperity.
In Maharashtra, the PM-KISAN scheme has seen about Rs 32,000 crore transferred to approximately 1.20 crore farmers over 17 instalments, marking the state as the second highest recipient in India. In this latest instalment, around 91.51 lakh farmers will benefit from over ₹1,900 crore.
Additionally, Prime Minister Modi announced an extra allocation of about ₹2,000 crore for farmers in Maharashtra under the fifth instalment of the Namo Shetkari Mahasanman Nidhi Yojana, aiming to bolster support for the agricultural community further.
This milestone event not only represents a substantial financial boon for farmers but also highlights the government’s persistent dedication to empowering the agrarian sector and fostering rural welfare across the nation.