More than 69 lakh farmer families in Gujarat have received direct financial assistance exceeding ₹23,083 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme since its inception, according to official data released on 9 June. The figures underscore the programme's expanding footprint among cultivators in the state, particularly small and marginal landholders.

Key Figures and Disbursement Record

A total of 69.25 lakh farmer families in Gujarat have benefited across 22 instalments, with funds routed directly into beneficiaries' bank accounts via the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system. The most recent, 22nd instalment, saw more than 50.54 lakh farmer families receive assistance of over ₹1,010 crore. By comparison, when the scheme was launched, 28.65 lakh farmers in the state received ₹572.21 crore in the first instalment — reflecting a near-doubling of the beneficiary base over the programme's lifetime.

How the Scheme Works

Under PM-KISAN, eligible farmers receive ₹6,000 annually, disbursed in three equal instalments of ₹2,000 each. The assistance is designed to offset recurring agricultural expenses — seeds, fertilisers, and pesticides — that spike during sowing seasons. Implementation is underpinned by land record validation, Aadhaar-linked bank accounts, and mandatory e-KYC, measures officials say eliminate intermediaries and ensure funds reach verified beneficiaries.

What Farmers and Officials Said

Gujarat Agriculture Minister Jitu Vaghani described the scheme as an economic safety net for cultivators. 'The PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana has provided an economic security shield to the sons of the soil. This assistance enables small and marginal farmers to obtain financial support for essential agricultural inputs such as seeds and fertilisers,' he said.

Farmers from the ground echoed the sentiment. Govindbhai Patel, a farmer from Dashela village in Gandhinagar district, said the payments allowed him to time his purchases. 'The three instalments we receive directly into our bank accounts every year help us purchase fertilisers, seeds and medicines for farming on time. This amount allows us to sow crops such as groundnut and cotton without worry,' he said. Another cultivator, Rameshbhai Patel, noted that the support helped manage day-to-day costs: 'Government schemes such as this provide strong support to farmers in meeting small expenses like labour, diesel and maintenance, helping them remain steadfast in farming.'

National Picture

Across India, PM-KISAN has disbursed more than ₹4.27 lakh crore to over 11 crore farmers since launch, making it one of the largest direct-benefit agricultural transfer programmes in the world. The Gujarat data was highlighted as Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked 12 years in public office at the national level. Notably, Gujarat's per-instalment beneficiary count has grown steadily, suggesting improved enrolment and verification throughput over successive rounds.

What Comes Next

With e-KYC compliance now a prerequisite for receiving instalments, officials have indicated that outreach drives will continue to bring remaining eligible farmers into the verified beneficiary pool. The scheme's trajectory in Gujarat — from 28.65 lakh recipients in instalment one to over 50 lakh in instalment 22 — points to sustained administrative deepening, though questions around coverage gaps among tenant farmers and sharecroppers remain a recurring policy concern nationally.