Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated various development projects, including the release of the 14th instalment of the Centre’s flagship scheme Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) at a programme held during his visit to Rajasthan’s Sikar today.
Funds worth Rs 17,000 crore were released directly into bank accounts of more than 8.5 crore PM-Kisan beneficiaries. PM-Kisan is a central sector scheme launched in February 2019 to supplement the financial needs of land holding farmers subject to certain exclusion criteria of higher income status.
Financial benefit of Rs 6000 per year in 3 equal instalments in every four months is transferred into the bank account of farmers.
Further, in a significant move benefiting farmers, PM Modi also dedicated 1.25lakh PM Kisan Samriddhi Kendras (PMKSKs) to the nation. PMKSKs are being developed to provide a one-stop solution for all farmer’s needs. From information on agri-inputs (fertilizers, seeds, implements) to testing facilities for soil, seeds, and fertilizers, to information regarding various government schemes, PMKSKs are envisaged to become a reliable support system for farmers in the country.
PM Modi also launched Urea Gold – a new variety of urea that is coated with Sulphur. The introduction of Sulphur coated Urea will address Sulphur deficiencies in the soil.
During the programme, PM Modi also launched the Onboarding of 1500 Farmer Producing Organisations (FPOs) on Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) platform.