The 23rd installment of the PM Kisan Yojana was released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Tarakeswar in Hooghly, West Bengal, with financial assistance of more than ₹18,880 crore transferred to the bank accounts of over 9.44 crore farmers across the country.
In Odisha, more than 34.64 lakh farmers received benefits under the scheme, with over ₹692.86 crore directly credited to their bank accounts.
PM Kisan Scheme Supports Farmers’ Agricultural Needs
The PM Kisan Yojana is a flagship farmer welfare initiative of the Central Government that provides financial support to eligible farmers for agricultural activities.
Under the scheme, farmers receive a total assistance of ₹6,000 annually in three equal installments, which helps them purchase seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and other essential agricultural inputs.
The day was observed across the country and Odisha as ‘Rashtriya Krushak Utsav Divas’ to honour the contribution of farmers.
State-Level PM Kisan Event Held in Rairangpur
The state-level programme for distribution of PM Kisan assistance was organized by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment at Mahtab Bhawan Town Hall, Rairangpur, Mayurbhanj district.
Addressing farmers, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Agriculture, Farmers’ Empowerment and Energy, Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, highlighted Odisha’s initiatives for farmer welfare.
He said Odisha is among the states where the government is procuring paddy from farmers at ₹3,100 per quintal, including during the Rabi season.
Focus on Farmer Income and Export Growth
The Deputy Chief Minister stated that farmers in Odisha have achieved significant progress in recent years, with fruits and vegetables being successfully grown and exported to foreign markets.
He said these achievements reflect the vision of “If the farmer smiles, the nation smiles.”
He also urged farmers to adopt short-duration crop varieties in view of the possible impact of El Niño this year to protect production.
Government Encourages Pulses and Oilseeds Cultivation
Calling for greater agricultural self-reliance, Singh Deo encouraged farmers to increase cultivation of pulses and oilseeds.
He assured that the government would procure these crops at the Minimum Support Price (MSP), helping Odisha move towards self-sufficiency in pulses and oilseeds production.
Officials Highlight Registration Under PM Kisan Scheme
Agriculture Department Commissioner-cum-Secretary Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav welcomed the gathering and appealed to all eligible farmers to register under PM Kisan Yojana to avail the benefits.
H&UD Minister Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, Agriculture Director Shubham Saxena, and senior departmental officials attended the programme.
The event was also broadcast across Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), agricultural institutions, and central and state agricultural universities across Odisha.