Bhubaneswar: More than 35.38 lakh eligible farmer families in Odisha have received over Rs 700 crore under the 24th instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme, following its nationwide launch by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Banaskantha in Gujarat on Friday.
The assistance was transferred directly to beneficiaries’ bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer, with Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi joining the state-level PM Kisan Utsav programme in Bhubaneswar.
Addressing farmers at the event, Majhi reiterated his government’s commitment to their welfare and empowerment, describing farmers as the state’s food providers.
He highlighted several initiatives aimed at strengthening agricultural livelihoods and the rural economy.
These include the Centre’s PM-KISAN scheme, the state government’s CM-KISAN programme, paddy procurement at Rs 3,100 per quintal, the Subhadra Yojana, the Krushi Vidyanidhi scholarship and the PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana.
The Chief Minister also highlighted ongoing efforts to revive nutri-cereals, particularly millets, across all 30 districts of Odisha.
Referring to the recent natural calamity that damaged crops in several districts, including Ganjam and Gajapati, Majhi said the government stood with affected farmers. He assured that assistance would be provided to every affected family as per prescribed norms, based on the assessment of crop losses.
Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo also attended the event, organised by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment at Krushi Shiksha Sadan on the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology campus in Bhubaneswar.
Singh Deo said the transfer of more than Rs 700 crore to Odisha’s farmers reflected the government’s continued commitment to their financial empowerment.
He added that sustained efforts for farmer welfare would contribute to building a prosperous Odisha.
The programme was also attended by Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi, Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan, Khordha MLA Prasanta Jagadev and Bhubaneswar-Ekamra MLA Babu Singh.
