PM-KISAN 20th instalment events held in Peren and Phek districts

DIMAPUR — The 20th instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme was marked in Peren and Phek districts on Saturday, with the participation of farmers, agricultural officers, and scientists.

In Peren, the Farmers’ Day celebration-cum-release of the 20th instalment of the PM-KISAN scheme was held at the Women Community Hall, Jalukie Town.

According to a DIPR report, the event was attended by Dean of the College of Veterinary Sciences, Central Agricultural University (CAU), Jalukie, Dr. I Shakuntala, as the special guest, and Dr. Zieleigai Ndang, District Agriculture Officer (DAO), Peren, as the guest of honour.

The programme was jointly organised by Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Peren; ICAR Research Complex for North Eastern Hill (NEH) Region, Nagaland Centre, Medziphema; and Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA), Peren.

In her address, Dr Shakuntala said the PM-KISAN scheme is a flagship initiative launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019 with the vision of providing direct income support to farmers across the country.

She stated that the prime minister’s vision goes beyond financial assistance; it is also about ensuring food security, self-sufficiency, and improved livelihoods for farmers, recognising that empowering farmers is key to building a strong and resilient nation.

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Dr. Shakuntala urged farmers to utilise the money received wisely, especially by investing in quality seeds and essential inputs like fertilisers, instead of using age-old seeds that are not properly stored.

She also added that, as envisioned by Prime Minister Modi, “Viksit Bharat by 2047”, a fully developed India can only be realised through collective effort, dedication, coordination, and unity at all levels, including districts like Peren. Therefore, they must all commit to working sincerely and in full consensus to contribute to this national vision and be proud participants in building a strong, self-reliant, and developed India by 2047.

Dr. Zieleigai Ndang, in his speech, stated that a total of 11,174 farmers have been registered under the PM-KISAN scheme in Peren district. He provided a block-wise breakdown, stating that 2,954 farmers are registered under Ahthibung block, 3,565 under Jalukie block, 2,096 under Peren block, and 2,559 under Tening block.

He also informed the gathering about the total amount allocated to the farmers of Peren district under the scheme and emphasised the need for proper and judicious utilisation of the PM-KISAN funds. He encouraged farmers to use the financial support for productive farming activities, adding that the profits generated can be used for household needs.

Dr. Ndang clarified that the PM-KISAN scheme is intended specifically for small and marginal farmers to uplift their families and improve their livelihoods and is not meant for progressive or large-scale farmers. He also urged beneficiaries to document their farming activities by installing signboards, taking photographs, and sharing their success stories with the department for record and recognition.

A major highlight of the event was the live streaming of the address by the prime minister, who virtually addressed farmers across the country. This was followed by a virtual interaction between the union minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and farmers.

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As part of the celebration, the 20th instalment of the PM-KISAN scheme was officially released. The scheme provides eligible farmer families with a financial benefit of INR 6,000 per year, paid in three equal instalments, to support their agricultural needs and livelihood.

Following the virtual sessions, a farmer-scientist interaction session was held, where agricultural experts engaged directly with farmers to discuss best practices, innovative technologies, and solutions to local farming challenges.

ICAR-KVK Phek (ICAR-NRC on Mithun) conducted the event, which commenced with a welcome address by Dr. T Esther Longkumer, Chief Technical Officer (CTO) for Soil Science, who highlighted various ongoing activities of KVK.

Zalekhu Lohe, Agricultural Inspector, Pfutsero, spoke on the mandates of the PM-KISAN scheme and elaborated on other schemes being implemented by the Department of Agriculture.

Vinoka, Deputy Project Director, ATMA, Phek, highlighted ATMA's key initiatives and emphasised capacity building, documentation, and income-generating activities for farmers. Manjunath KS, Subject Matter Specialist (SMS) for Horticulture, stressed the role of vegetable cultivation in nutritional security.

A farmer-scientist interaction session was held to address farmers' field-level challenges. The session was organised with experts from KVK and allied departments to address farmers' issues related to agriculture, horticulture, and livestock.

The event featured the live webcast of the prime minister’s address during the release of the 20th instalment of the PM-KISAN fund. It was mentioned that his message highlighted the government’s commitment to farmers’ welfare.

Also, on the occasion, awareness on agricultural drones was delivered by Nukusa T Vadeo, Technical Officer (TO) for Computer. The programme concluded with the distribution of vegetable and soybean seeds to farmers.