New Delhi, June 20: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday released the 23rd instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme from Tarakeswar in Hooghly district of West Bengal, providing a major financial boost to millions of farmers across the country.
Under the latest instalment, more than ₹18,880 crore was directly transferred to the bank accounts of over 9.44 crore eligible farmers through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism. Each beneficiary received ₹2,000 as part of the income support scheme aimed at strengthening the financial security of farming households.
The release also highlighted the growing participation of women in agriculture, with more than 2.18 crore women farmers receiving benefits under the scheme. The government stated that the initiative continues to ensure timely financial assistance to farmers, helping them meet agricultural and household expenses.
West Bengal emerged as one of the major beneficiaries of the latest disbursement. More than 45.35 lakh farmers in the state received financial assistance exceeding ₹907 crore under the scheme. The transfer is expected to provide crucial support to farmers during the ongoing agricultural season.
The PM-KISAN scheme, launched in February 2019, has become one of the world's largest direct income support programmes for farmers. With the release of the 23rd instalment, the cumulative amount disbursed under the scheme has crossed ₹4.46 lakh crore, benefiting crores of farming families across India.
Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Modi reiterated the Centre's commitment to farmers' welfare and agricultural development. He emphasized that the government is continuously working to enhance farm productivity, improve farmers' incomes, and strengthen rural economies through various initiatives.
On the occasion, the Prime Minister also launched the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and the Restructured Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme for the 2026-27 period. The schemes are aimed at providing comprehensive risk coverage to farmers against crop losses arising from natural calamities, adverse weather conditions, and other unforeseen events.
In another significant announcement, the National Mission on Natural Farming was launched in West Bengal. The initiative seeks to promote sustainable and eco-friendly agricultural practices by encouraging farmers to reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides and adopt natural farming methods. The mission is expected to improve soil health, reduce cultivation costs, and contribute to long-term agricultural sustainability.
The event underscored the Centre's continued focus on farmer welfare, agricultural resilience, and sustainable farming practices, while reaffirming its commitment to ensuring greater financial security and prosperity for the country's farming community.
