Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, 31 October 2025, released the 24th instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme, transferring more than ₹1,335 crore directly into the bank accounts of over 66.59 lakh farming families in Rajasthan through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). Nationally, the instalment disbursed over ₹18,690 crore to more than 9.34 crore farmer families across India.

How the event unfolded

The instalment was released from Banaskantha, Gujarat, during a programme that also featured inauguration of development projects, foundation stone-laying ceremonies, and the launch of several new initiatives. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Legislative Assembly Speaker Shankar Chaudhary, and a large number of citizens attended in person, while chief ministers of several states, including Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, participated via video conferencing.

What CM Sharma said

Welcoming the disbursement, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma said the prosperity of the nation was closely tied to the welfare of farmers, describing them as the country's 'annadatas' (food providers). He noted that since the scheme's launch in 2019, farmers in Rajasthan had cumulatively received more than ₹29,099 crore across 23 earlier instalments. The latest transfer takes the state's total well past that figure.

PM Modi on the agriculture push

Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Modi said farmer welfare and empowerment remained a central priority of the Union government. He pointed out that the agriculture budget had grown more than fivefold compared with 2013-14. According to Modi, farmers across the country have collectively received or saved around ₹50 lakh crore over the past 12 years through various government initiatives, with PM-KISAN alone accounting for ₹4.5 lakh crore in direct transfers to small farmers.

The Prime Minister added that around ₹16 lakh crore had been spent to ensure food availability at affordable prices, shielding farmers and consumers from global price volatility. Under Minimum Support Price (MSP) commitments, ₹24 lakh crore had been transferred to wheat and paddy growers. Under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, farmers received approximately ₹2 lakh crore in crop insurance compensation.

Technology and allied sectors

Modi also highlighted the role of innovation in modernising Indian agriculture. More than 26 crore Soil Health Cards have been issued, and farmers have been given access to 3,000 new seed varieties developed to withstand changing climatic conditions. Under the PM-KUSUM scheme, 12 lakh solar pumps have been provided, saving more than 80 crore litres of diesel annually while also enabling farmers to generate electricity and earn additional income.

On the livestock front, around 150 crore vaccine doses have been administered to protect animals from disease. India's average daily milk yield per cow or buffalo has reportedly risen from under five litres in 2013-14 to around eight litres today, making India the world's largest milk producer. The country has also emerged as the world's second-largest exporter of natural honey, Modi said, citing the Sweet Revolution (Madhu Kranti) initiative.

Other announcements from the Banaskantha event

During the same programme, the Prime Minister flagged off two train services, including the Ahmedabad (Sabarmati)-Varanasi Express. Modi also marked completing 25 years as a head of government on 7 October, reflecting on how Gujarat's development had informed his national governance approach. He appealed to citizens to participate in the Run for Unity on 31 October, the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, in keeping with the vision of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat'.

Nationally, cumulative PM-KISAN transfers have reached nearly ₹4.47 lakh crore, according to figures cited by the Rajasthan government. With the 24th instalment now disbursed, attention turns to whether the scheme's coverage can be expanded further ahead of the next agricultural cycle.