Rajasthan has recently secured the top position in establishing a comprehensive farmer registry. This initiative has successfully registered over 73 lakh farmers, representing 81% of beneficiaries under the Prime Minister’s Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana. The registry aims to facilitate farmers’ access to various government schemes. Revenue and Colonisation Minister Hemant Meena announced this achievement and urged officials to strive for complete registration.
Farmer Registry
The farmer registry creates a unique identity for each agriculturist. It helps streamline access to government assistance. The initiative is part of a broader effort to empower farmers through digital tools. This registry enhances the monitoring and processing of welfare programmes.
Significance of the PM-KISAN Scheme
The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) is a central-sector scheme launched in December 2018. It provides financial aid to land-holding farmer families. Eligible farmers receive Rs 6,000 annually, disbursed in three instalments. The scheme promotes direct benefit transfer, ensuring transparency and reducing delays.
Eligibility Criteria for PM-KISAN
To qualify for PM-KISAN, farmers must own cultivable land. The definition of a “family” includes the husband, wife, and minor children. State governments are responsible for identifying eligible families based on the scheme’s guidelines.
Exclusion Categories under PM-KISAN
Certain categories are excluded from the PM-KISAN benefits. Institutional landholders and families with higher economic status do not qualify. This includes government employees, pensioners with pensions over Rs 10,000, and income taxpayers. Professionals like doctors and engineers are also excluded.
Impact of the PM-KISAN Scheme
The scheme has positively impacted rural economies. As of October 2024, total disbursements exceeded Rs 3.45 lakh crore, benefiting around 11 crore farmers. Regular financial support reduces farmers’ dependency on loans. The scheme also promotes spending on agricultural inputs, healthcare, and education, stimulating local markets.
Future Directions
Minister Hemant Meena emphasised the need for a planned approach to achieve 100% farmer registrations. The government aims to expedite pending land-related cases. A dedicated portal, e-Dharti, has been launched to assist in land demarcation.
Technological Integration
The integration of technology is crucial for the farmer registry and PM-KISAN. Digital tools enhance efficiency and transparency. The government aims to leverage existing beneficiary data for faster loan processing through Kisan Credit Cards.
Monitoring and Evaluation
Regular monitoring of the registry and the PM-KISAN scheme is essential. This will ensure that benefits reach the intended recipients. Continuous evaluation will help identify areas for improvement.
Questions for UPSC:
- Critically analyse the role of technology in enhancing agricultural productivity in India.
- Estimate the impact of direct benefit transfer schemes on rural economies in India.
- What are the eligibility criteria for government welfare schemes? Point out the exclusions in the PM-KISAN scheme.
- What is the significance of farmer registries in promoting agricultural development? How can they improve access to government schemes?
Answer Hints:
1. Critically analyse the role of technology in enhancing agricultural productivity in India.
- Technological advancements, such as precision farming and biotechnology, increase crop yields and reduce resource wastage.
- Digital tools enable farmers to access real-time weather data and market information, facilitating informed decision-making.
- Automation and mechanization reduce labor costs and increase efficiency in farming operations.
- Technologies like drones and IoT devices enhance monitoring of crops and soil health.
- Government initiatives promote technology adoption, improving overall agricultural sustainability and productivity.
2. Estimate the impact of direct benefit transfer schemes on rural economies in India.
- Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) schemes provide timely financial assistance, improving farmers’ cash flow.
- Increased disposable income leads to higher spending on agricultural inputs, healthcare, and education.
- DBT reduces leakages and corruption, ensuring that funds reach the intended beneficiaries directly.
- Rural economies experience growth due to enhanced purchasing power and improved living standards.
- Regular financial support from schemes like PM-KISAN encourages investment in sustainable practices and technology adoption.
3. What are the eligibility criteria for government welfare schemes? Point out the exclusions in the PM-KISAN scheme.
- Eligibility typically requires ownership of cultivable land and identification as a farmer family.
- For PM-KISAN, the definition of a family includes the husband, wife, and minor children.
- State governments are responsible for identifying eligible families based on set guidelines.
- Exclusions include institutional landholders, government employees, and pensioners with pensions over Rs 10,000.
- Professionals such as doctors and engineers, and income taxpayers are also excluded from PM-KISAN benefits.
4. What is the significance of farmer registries in promoting agricultural development? How can they improve access to government schemes?
- Farmer registries provide a unique identity to agriculturists, streamlining their access to government schemes.
- They enhance transparency and accountability in the distribution of benefits and services.
- Registries facilitate better monitoring of welfare programs and targeted assistance to farmers.
- Digital tools linked to registries can simplify application processes for various agricultural schemes.
- Comprehensive data from registries helps in policy formulation and addressing the specific needs of farmers.
