New Delhi, Nov 19 (NationPress) An impressive sum exceeding Rs 3.70 lakh crore has been allocated to more than 11 crore farmer families across India through 20 instalments of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme, as reported in an official statement released on Wednesday.

The scheme extends its benefits to farmers whose land information is registered in the PM KISAN portal and who possess bank accounts linked with Aadhaar, with their eKYC completed.

To ensure financial support for all farmers with arable land in the country, the Central Government initiated the PM-KISAN scheme on February 24, 2019. This initiative provides annual financial aid of Rs. 6,000 to each qualifying farmer family, distributed in three equal payments of Rs. 2,000 each, directly into their Aadhaar-linked bank accounts through the DBT method.

A notable saturation drive launched in November 2023 as part of the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra successfully enrolled over 1 crore eligible farmers into the scheme.

Furthermore, an additional 25 lakh farmers joined within the first 100 days of the new government's term in June 2024, raising the number of beneficiaries receiving the 18th instalment to 9.59 crore, as noted in the statement.

A dedicated drive from September 21, 2024, was executed to address pending self-registration cases, resulting in the approval of over 30 lakh cases since the drive commenced.

This initiative is recognized as one of the largest Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) programs worldwide, highlighting its significant role in delivering financial aid directly to beneficiaries. Notably, it allocates over 25 percent of its resources to women.

A key element contributing to the scheme's success is India's advanced digital framework. By integrating Jan Dhan accounts, Aadhaar, and mobile technology, all aspects of the program function efficiently online.

Farmers can self-register, land records are electronically verified, and payments are directly transferred to their bank accounts. State governments have also been instrumental in ensuring effective implementation, creating a cohesive and farmer-centric delivery system.

The scheme has inspired innovative digital solutions such as Kisan eMitra, a voice-activated chatbot, and AgriStack, designed to deliver personalized and timely advisory services to farmers. These advancements are collectively contributing to the modernization of Indian agriculture and equipping it for a promising future, the statement concluded.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi disbursed Rs 18,000 crore to farmers nationwide through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system as part of the 21st instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme.