CM Majhi welcomes PM-KISAN extension, flags Odisha farmer boost
Synopsis
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi welcomed the Union Cabinet's decision to extend PM-KISAN for five more years, calling it a boost to small farmers' financial security and Odisha's rural economy, and crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's commitment to farmer welfare.
Key Takeaways
The Union Cabinet, under PM Narendra Modi , approved continuation of PM-KISAN for the next five years .
PM-KISAN provides eligible farmer families Rs 6,000 per year in direct bank transfers, launched in February 2019 .
Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi said the extension will reduce farmers' dependence on informal credit.
The scheme is expected to particularly benefit small and marginal farmers, a large demographic in Odisha .
Majhi framed the decision as 'fresh momentum' for Odisha's agricultural and rural economy .
For millions of small and marginal farmers across Odisha, a Union Cabinet decision announced on 31 July 2026 carries direct financial consequence — and Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi was quick to welcome it. The Cabinet, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the continuation of the PM-KISAN scheme for the next five years, extending a programme that has delivered direct income support to farmer families since its launch in February 2019.
What PM-KISAN means for Odisha's farming households
The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme provides eligible landholding farmer families Rs 6,000 per year in direct bank transfers — a modest but consistent cushion that helps households cover seeds, fertilisers, and other input costs without turning to moneylenders. CM Majhi underlined exactly this point, noting that 'timely income support will enable farming families to meet essential agricultural needs, strengthen their financial security and reduce dependence on informal credit.'
Odisha is home to a large base of small and marginal farmers, many dependent on paddy cultivation in rain-fed districts. For these households, the gap between harvest seasons can force reliance on informal credit at punishing interest rates. A guaranteed annual transfer, arriving in three instalments, partially bridges that gap.
Five-year extension and what it signals for rural Odisha
The Cabinet's decision to lock in PM-KISAN for another five years — rather than renewing it year to year — provides a planning horizon that both farmers and state administrators can work with. CM Majhi described it as 'fresh momentum to Odisha's agricultural and rural economy,' framing the central scheme as a complement to state-level rural development efforts.
Since BJP came to power in Odisha in 2024 with Majhi as Chief Minister, the state government has sought to align closely with central welfare programmes. The PM-KISAN extension fits that pattern — a centrally funded direct benefit transfer that the state can amplify through last-mile delivery and integration with local schemes.
The 'Annadata' framing and Modi's farmer welfare arc
CM Majhi used the term 'Annadatas' — literally 'givers of food' — a phrase PM Modi has consistently used to describe India's farming community. The language is deliberate: it positions farmers not as recipients of charity but as providers deserving of state support. Majhi conveyed 'heartfelt gratitude' to the Prime Minister for 'unwavering commitment to ensuring the dignity, prosperity and well-being of every farmer.'
The five-year continuation of PM-KISAN is the latest chapter in a longer arc of direct benefit transfer expansion in Indian agriculture — a model that bypasses intermediaries and lands cash directly in beneficiary accounts, reducing leakage and political friction at the local level.
Whether the next round of fund releases reaches Odisha's most remote paddy-growing districts on schedule will be the real test of that promise.
Point of View
Direct-to-farmer cash transfer removes one axis of opposition attack. For CM Majhi, publicly crediting PM Modi reinforces the BJP's unified federal messaging on farmer welfare, a priority the party has leaned on since 2019. Odisha's integration of central DBT schemes with state rural programmes will be the true measure of whether the extension translates into ground-level impact, particularly in rain-fed districts where informal credit remains entrenched. The 'Annadata' framing also signals that the government intends to keep farmer dignity — not just subsidy arithmetic — at the centre of its agricultural communication.
NationPress
31 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is PM-KISAN and how much money do farmers get?
PM-KISAN (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi) is a central government scheme that provides eligible landholding farmer families Rs 6,000 per year in direct bank transfers, paid in three instalments of Rs 2,000 each. It was launched in February 2019.
Has PM-KISAN been extended for five more years?
According to Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi's post on 31 July 2026, the Union Cabinet approved the continuation of PM-KISAN for the next five years under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership.
What did Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi say about PM-KISAN extension?
CM Majhi said the extension will help farming families meet agricultural needs, reduce dependence on informal credit, and give fresh momentum to Odisha's agricultural and rural economy. He conveyed gratitude to PM Modi for the decision.
How does PM-KISAN benefit small and marginal farmers in Odisha?
Odisha has a large population of small and marginal farmers, many dependent on paddy cultivation. PM-KISAN's annual cash transfer helps bridge income gaps between harvest seasons and reduces the need to borrow from informal moneylenders at high interest rates.
When did Mohan Charan Majhi become Chief Minister of Odisha?
Mohan Charan Majhi became Chief Minister of Odisha in 2024 after the BJP came to power in the state.
