Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the 17th instalment of the PM-KISAN scheme in Varanasi on Tuesday. This will provide benefits amounting to over Rs.20,000 crore to more than 9.26 crore farmers, as per an official statement. The Prime Minister will also distribute the certificates to more than 30,000 SHGs trained as Krishi Sakhis to work as para extension workers.
Over 2.5 crore farmers joined the event
According to the details, more than 2.5 crore farmers joined the event including those at 732 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), over 1 lakh Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies, and 5 lakh Common Service Centres across the country. On the 50 selected Krishi Vikas Kendras (KVKs), a special event is being organized where good number of farmers will join the event. On these centers, several Union Ministers will also visit and interact with the farmers.
The farmers will also be sensitized about good agricultural practices, new emerging technologies in the agricultural field, practising climate resilient agriculture, etc. They will also be educated how to check their PM-KISAN beneficiary status, payment status, how to use Kisan-eMitra Chatbot, etc. Union Ministers will also distribute certificates to the trained Krishi Sakhis of the area.
About PM-KISAN scheme
It should be mentioned here that the PM-KISAN scheme was launched in February 2019 to supplement the financial needs of all land-holding farmers subject to certain exclusion criteria of higher income status. Financial benefit of Rs 6,000/- per year in three equal instalments, every four months, is transferred into the bank accounts of farmers’ families across the country through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode. Till now over Rs 3.04 lakh crores has been disbursed to more than 11 Crore farmers across the nation and with this release, the total amount transferred to the beneficiaries since the inception of the scheme will cross well over Rs 3.24 lakh crores.
Notably, Krishi Sakhis are chosen as agriculture para-extension workers because they are trusted community resource persons and experienced farmers themselves. The Krishi Sakhis have already received extensive training in various agricultural practices, making them well-equipped to support and guide fellow farmers effectively. So far, over 34,000 Krishi Sakhis out of 70,000 have been certified as Para-extension Workers.
PM Modi attends Ganga Aarti
The Prime Minister also attended Ganga Aarti in the evening and prayed at Kashi Vishwanath temple.
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