Bhubaneswar, 2 August (H.S.): The Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Government of Odisha, organized a state-level event today to mark the 20th installment distribution under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana (PM-KISAN). Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi presided over the event held at ICAR-CIFA in Bhubaneswar and disbursed financial assistance to lakhs of farmers across the state.
Simultaneously, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the 20th installment of PM-KISAN from Varanasi, disbursing ₹20,500 crore to over 9.7 crore farmers nationwide — ₹2,000 each — directly into their bank accounts.
In Odisha, more than 34.85 lakh farmers received financial assistance totaling ₹697 crore, with each beneficiary receiving ₹2,000 under the scheme.
Addressing the gathering, CM Majhi emphasized that his government is a “people’s government” and particularly a government for farmers. He highlighted the implementation of multiple welfare schemes within a short span of one year, aimed at uplifting the farming community.
The Chief Minister said that under the CM-Kisan Scheme, over 50 lakh farmers in Odisha receive an annual aid of ₹4,000. When combined with PM-KISAN’s ₹6,000 annual support, farmers are benefitting from a total of ₹10,000 per year, ensuring direct financial relief.
He noted that the 20th installment of PM-KISAN covers the April to July 2025 period and is being directly transferred to beneficiaries’ bank accounts through a transparent, IT-enabled system. This ensures equitable distribution among small, marginal, medium, and large-scale farmers, including those in urban agricultural zones.
Marking the occasion as “PM-Kisan Diwas”, CM Majhi mentioned that the day was being celebrated across all districts, blocks, and panchayats of the state. Awareness campaigns are also underway to educate farmers about the eligibility criteria for availing scheme benefits, ensuring wider inclusion.
“Including all eligible farmers in the PM-KISAN scheme is my mission,” said the Chief Minister, noting that saturation drives have been conducted in every block to ensure no eligible farmer is left out.
Encouraging farmers to adopt crop diversification, CM Majhi urged them to explore fishery, animal husbandry, and other allied agricultural activities to multiply their income. “This will not just double but significantly enhance your earnings,” he said, adding that such measures align with the Prime Minister’s vision of increasing farmers’ income.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the Samruddha Krushak Yojana, under which farmers are being provided ₹800 per quintal as input assistance on paddy procurement. In the last Kharif season, around 17 lakh farmers were supported with nearly ₹6,000 crore, while over 3 lakh farmers received ₹1,600 crore during the Rabi season.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda
