New Delhi, March 19 (NationPress) The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has announced the disbursement of over Rs 18,640 crore as the 22nd installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme this month, allowing more than 9.32 crore farmers to benefit from this financial aid, including approximately 2.15 crore who are women farmers.

Since the inception of the scheme, the total funds distributed have exceeded Rs 4.27 lakh crore, positioning PM-KISAN as one of the largest direct benefit transfer programs globally, as per an official fact sheet released on Thursday.

This initiative operates on an Aadhaar-based verification system and digitized land records, ensuring that direct benefit transfers (DBT) to eligible beneficiaries are both transparent and efficient.

Regarded as a crucial step towards honoring farmers, the scheme reflects the government's persistent effort to enhance farmers' income stability. The Union Budget for 2026-27 has earmarked Rs 60,000 crore for the PM-KISAN initiative.

Impact assessments from the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and NITI Aayog indicate that farmers have reported higher agricultural earnings and a diminished dependence on informal credit.

Throughout various regions of India, PM-KISAN has empowered farmers to invest in their agricultural endeavors and boost productivity.

Bhamini, a farmer from Edakkara, Kerala, is one of the women beneficiaries of the PM-KISAN scheme. After receiving her 21st installment, she noted that the timely financial support motivates her to enhance her farming practices and work towards better yields. The efficient benefit transfer via the DBT system ensures farmers receive assistance promptly, allowing them to pursue their agricultural activities with increased confidence.

For Anil Haldar, a farmer based in Durgapur, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the annual Rs 6,000 assistance has been a vital resource for his farming operations. Following an installment received in August 2025, he began cultivating watermelon, utilizing the funds for essential supplies. This financial support has enabled him to diversify his crops and expand his agricultural activities.

Likewise, Deepak Singh Negi, a farmer from Kupwara, Jammu and Kashmir, leverages the scheme's aid to acquire crucial farming inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides. His investments have enhanced both the quality and yield of his crops, showcasing how direct income support empowers farmers to bolster productivity and sustain their livelihoods.

The PM-KISAN is a centrally sponsored program launched in 2019 that aims to provide guaranteed income support to landholding farmer families with cultivable land across the nation. Under this program, each eligible farmer family receives an annual financial assistance of Rs 6,000, distributed in three equal installments of Rs 2,000 through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) method into Aadhaar-linked bank accounts.