Bhubaneswar: The 23rd installment of the PM Kisan Yojana was released on Saturday by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Tarakeswar in Hooghly, West Bengal.
Across the country, more than Rs 18,880 crore was directly transferred to the bank accounts of over 9.44 crore farmers.
In Odisha, over Rs 692.86 crore was disbursed to more than 34.64 lakh beneficiaries under the scheme.
PM Kisan is a flagship Central government scheme aimed at supporting farmers. Under the programme, eligible farmers receive Rs 6,000 per year in three equal installments.
The financial assistance helps farmers purchase seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and other essential inputs for agriculture.
The day is being observed across the country and in Odisha as ‘Rashtriya Krushak Utsav Divas’ in honour of farmers.
The state-level event for the distribution of PM Kisan assistance was held at Mahtab Bhawan Town Hall in Rairangpur, Mayurbhanj district.
Addressing the gathering, Deputy Chief Minister and Agriculture Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo said Odisha is among the states procuring paddy at Rs 3,100 per quintal, even during the Rabi season.
He said farmers in the state have also begun exporting fruits and vegetables in recent years, improving rural incomes.
He added that this reflects the vision that “if the farmer smiles, the nation smiles.”
The deputy CM also cautioned about a possible El Niño impact this year. He advised farmers to opt for short-duration crop varieties to safeguard production.
He further urged farmers to increase cultivation of pulses and oilseeds in line with the Centre’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.
He assured that the state government will procure pulses and oilseeds at the Minimum Support Price, helping Odisha move towards self-reliance in these crops.
Agriculture Department Commissioner-cum-Secretary Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav urged eligible farmers to register under the PM Kisan scheme to receive benefits.
Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, Minister for Housing & Urban Development, also attended the event. Senior officials, including Agriculture Director Shubham Saxena, were present. The programme was broadcast across Krishi Vigyan Kendras, agricultural institutions, and universities across Odisha.
