A total of 83,201 farmers in Arunachal Pradesh received financial assistance under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme through its 23rd instalment. Under the scheme, farmers received a total of Rs 16.88 crore through direct benefit transfer (DBT).

PM-KISAN is projected as a flagship initiative of the Government of India, providing assured income support to farmers. While the government’s efforts to improve farmers’ income security and agricultural development are commendable, and considerable publicity is generated around the scheme, the amount provided does little to substantially improve the economic condition of the farmers.

Beneficiary farmers receive Rs 6,000 annually, transferred directly into their bank accounts in three equal instalments of Rs 2,000 each. In the current economic context, this monetary support is insufficient to meet the growing challenges faced by the farming community.

More needs to be done to strengthen the agricultural sector, including assistance in the procurement of farm equipment, comprehensive crop insurance coverage, and a robust buyback policy to ensure fair returns for farmers. Sustainable support measures, rather than limited cash assistance alone, are essential for improving farmers’ livelihoods and securing the future of agriculture.