PM-KISAN helps meet farmers’ non-agri expenses too: Study

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme helps meet farmers’ expenses other than agriculture such as education, medical, marriage, etc., a study conducted by IFPRI (International Food and Policy Research Institute) has said.
Replying to a query on the impact of PM-KISAN scheme in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, 21 March, Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, said IFPRI conducted a study on the scheme in Uttar Pradesh.

According to the study, the funds received by recipients under PM-KISAN are not only helping them with their agricultural needs, but funds are also catering to their other expenses such as education, medical, marriage, etc.

Referring to the report, he said the funds disbursed under the initiative have acted as a catalyst in rural economic growth, aided in alleviating the credit constraints for farmers and increased investments in agricultural inputs.

The scheme has enhanced farmers’ risk-taking capacity, leading them to undertake riskier but comparatively productive investments, he said.

A farmer-centric digital infrastructure has ensured the benefits of the scheme reach all the farmers across the country without any involvement of the middlemen. Maintaining absolute transparency in the process of registration and verification of beneficiaries, the Centre has so far disbursed over ₹2.41 lakh crore to over 11 crore farmers in the country, he said.