Published in: March 2019
On February 24, 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, which provides financial assistance of ₹6,000 per year to small and marginal farmers with land holdings of up to five acres.
During the launch, he stated, “We announced this scheme in the budget to support the welfare of 12 crore farmers across the nation with an aid of ₹72,000 crores. We have now begun implementing it. In the first phase, ₹2,000 each has been disbursed to 1.1 crore farmers. The remaining 11 crore farmers will receive the first installment soon. We have instructed state governments to expedite the submission of beneficiary lists. The government is working towards the goal of doubling farmers’ incomes by 2022, and we will achieve it.”
Following this, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Edappadi Palaniswami, Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, and Union Minister Piyush Goyal inaugurated the scheme at Chennai’s Kalaivanar Arangam.
Chief Minister Palaniswami said, “Today, the Honorable Prime Minister of India has launched the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, a boon for small and marginal farmers across the country. Recently announced in the Union Budget, this scheme provides financial assistance to help small and marginal farmers purchase inputs, improve yields, and enhance farm income.
The scheme offers an annual financial assistance of ₹6,000 to small and marginal farming families owning up to two hectares or five acres of agricultural land. This amount will be disbursed in three installments, every four months.
While we were speaking on stage, a farmer from Theni informed the Principal Secretary of Agriculture that he had already received the first installment of ₹2,000 in his bank account. This happened immediately after the Prime Minister launched the scheme in Uttar Pradesh.
The Tamil Nadu Agriculture Department has uploaded the details of over 2.2 million beneficiaries from Tamil Nadu on the central government’s website. After proper verification, the first installment of ₹2,000 has been disbursed today to small and marginal farming families.
The Honorable Amma (former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa) and her government implemented numerous schemes for the welfare of farmers. Due to her relentless legal battle, the Cauvery Water Management Authority and the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee were established.
In line with the long-term vision set by Amma in 2023, projects worth ₹40,000 crores are being implemented in the agricultural sector to develop irrigation infrastructure, desilt lakes and ponds, create storage facilities for agricultural produce, and establish food processing units.
To alleviate the financial distress of small and marginal farmers caused by the severe drought in Tamil Nadu in 2016, farm loans amounting to ₹5,318 crores from cooperative banks were waived. Additionally, drought relief of ₹2,247 crores was provided in 2017.
For the welfare of sugarcane farmers, ₹125.77 crores was distributed as an additional incentive of ₹200 per ton over the fair and remunerative price announced by the central government for the 2017-18 crushing season, benefiting 135,890 sugarcane farmers.
When the Mettur dam was not opened on time, relief was provided to delta irrigation farmers through Kuruvai and Samba package schemes.
To encourage micro-irrigation, 100% subsidy is provided to small and marginal farmers, and 75% subsidy to other farmers. The state government has also fully absorbed the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on these equipment. For the first time, funds amounting to ₹950 crores have been allocated to set up micro-irrigation on 143,000 hectares in the current year.
To promote collective farming, a scheme is being implemented to organize 400,000 small and marginal farmers into groups with an allocation of ₹200 crores over two years. Additionally, a special allocation of ₹802.90 crores has been made for the Manavari Special Package Scheme.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, ₹4,600 crores has been disbursed by insurance companies over the past two years, benefiting over 18 lakh insured farmers.
As a result of these beneficial schemes, Tamil Nadu has produced over 10 million metric tons of food grains more than five times in the last seven years, winning the prestigious Krishi Karman Award from the central government four times in a row.
Furthermore, ₹600 crores in crop relief has been provided to farmers in 12 districts, including Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, and Pudukkottai, which were affected by Cyclone Gaja. A livelihood plan for re-cultivation is also being implemented at a cost of ₹228 crores.
To ensure lifelong security for Tamil Nadu’s agricultural workers and small and marginal farmers, the Chief Minister’s Farmer Protection Scheme was launched by Honorable Amma on August 15, 2005.
When Amma resumed office as Chief Minister in 2011, she implemented a new comprehensive Farmer Protection Scheme with various features for the welfare of farmers and their families. This includes educational assistance, marriage assistance, maternity benefits, and pensions for the elderly. Relief is also provided to farmers and agricultural workers or their families in case of natural death or accidents. This scheme is being successfully implemented in Tamil Nadu.
Moreover, to ensure fair prices for agricultural produce and improve their livelihoods, the government is establishing 10 food processing parks in Tamil Nadu to process and market agricultural products with added value. The first phase of this work is in full swing in Tindivanam and Gangakondan in Tirunelveli district.
To encourage food processing in the private sector, a memorandum of understanding was recently signed with a French company during the Global Investors’ Meet. This has secured an investment of ₹2,000 crores in Tamil Nadu. These food parks will ensure fair prices for farm produce and create more job opportunities.
Today is the birthday of Honorable Amma. On this day, the Prime Minister of India has announced a historic scheme for farmers, which is a boon for the agricultural community. Farmers work hard, shedding their sweat and blood into the soil, yet they face many challenges. With this in mind, the Prime Minister has announced a scheme that deposits ₹6,000 in three installments into the bank accounts of small and marginal farmers, bringing joy to them. I express my heartfelt gratitude for this,” he said.
M. Umapathi
