NEW DELHI, Feb 24: Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed pride in the nation’s ‘Annadatas’ (food providers) as he marked the completion of six years of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme. In a statement on Monday, the Prime Minister congratulated farmers across India for their vital contribution to the country’s agriculture sector and reiterated the Centre’s commitment to supporting them.
The Prime Minister emphasized that the PM-KISAN initiative has brought respect, prosperity, and strength to India’s farmers, with financial aid playing a key role in reducing agricultural costs and increasing income. “We are proud of our Annadatas,” PM Modi posted on social media, sharing details about the government’s efforts to improve the lives of farmers through various schemes. “In the last 10 years, due to our efforts, the agriculture sector in the country has developed rapidly,” he added, highlighting the increased market access for small farmers and the reduction in agriculture costs.
PM Modi also shared that around three and a half lakh crore rupees have been transferred to farmers’ accounts through PM-KISAN so far, a significant achievement since its launch in 2019. The scheme, which provides direct financial assistance to farmers, aims to ensure stability in their livelihoods and enhance crop production.
Ahead of his visit to Bhagalpur district in Bihar, where he is set to release over Rs 22,000 crore as part of the 19th installment of the PM-KISAN scheme, PM Modi emphasized the importance of the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system, which eliminates middlemen and ensures farmers receive their rightful benefits promptly.
In addition to the release of PM-KISAN funds, the Prime Minister will launch several initiatives aimed at strengthening Bihar’s agricultural, dairy, and rural economy. The Centre has increased the loan limit under the Kisan Credit Card scheme from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh to provide greater financial access to farmers. Furthermore, a modern dairy plant will be set up in Barauni with an investment of Rs 113.27 crore, which will have a processing capacity of two lakh litres per day. This plant is expected to enhance milk production and processing in the region.
In support of the dairy sector, PM Modi will inaugurate the Motihari Regional Centre of Excellence (CoE) under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission, with an investment of Rs 33.80 crore. The centre will focus on improving cattle breeding and dairy productivity.
Additionally, PM Modi will mark the launch of the 10,000th Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO), a significant milestone in empowering farmers through collective bargaining and better market access. The FPO scheme, which was introduced in 2020 with an investment of Rs 6,865 crore, has already released Rs 254.4 crore in equity grants to 4,761 FPOs and issued Rs 453 crore in credit guarantees to 1,900 FPOs.
Beyond agriculture, the Prime Minister will inaugurate key infrastructure projects in Bihar. These include the Warisaliganj-Nawada-Tilaiya Rail Doubling Project, costing Rs 526 crore, which will improve regional rail connectivity, and the Ismailpur-Rafiganj road-over-bridge, constructed at a cost of Rs 47 crore to ease traffic congestion and improve transportation.
Through these initiatives, PM Modi’s government continues to empower farmers, boost the dairy and cattle farming industries, and strengthen infrastructure, particularly in rural areas. The focus on financial assistance, modern agricultural practices, and improved connectivity reflects the Centre’s ongoing commitment to rural development and economic growth across the country.
