Over 34.85 Lakh Odisha Farmers Get ₹697 Crore Under 20th PM-KISAN Installment

Bhubaneswar: In a major boost to farmers across Odisha, more than 34.85 lakh beneficiaries received the 20th installment of financial assistance under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme on Saturday. The event was part of a nationwide disbursal led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.

Under this installment, ₹20,500 crore was transferred directly to the bank accounts of over 9.7 crore farmers across India. In Odisha, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi disbursed ₹697 crore (₹2,000 each) to eligible farmers at a special programme held at ICAR-CIFA on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar.

Addressing the gathering, CM Majhi emphasized the government’s pro-farmer stance. “This is a people’s and farmers’ government. Within a year, we have launched several welfare schemes. Over 50 lakh farmers in Odisha now receive ₹4,000 annually under PM-KISAN. With the CM-KISAN scheme, the total annual benefit per farmer is ₹10,000,” he said.

The Chief Minister also announced a saturation drive across all blocks of the state to ensure 100% coverage of eligible farmers under PM-KISAN.

In addition to central support, CM Majhi highlighted state initiatives like the Samrudha Krushak Yojana, under which farmers are receiving ₹800 as input assistance. During the last Kharif season, ₹6,000 crore was distributed to 17 lakh farmers, while in the Rabi season, ₹1,600 crore reached over 3 lakh farmers.

Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, also present at the event, announced that Odisha has been honoured with the Agriculture Today Award. He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to doubling farmers’ income, noting the recent hike in paddy procurement price to ₹3,100 per quintal.

He encouraged farmers to diversify into oilseeds and alternative crops, and to embrace organic farming and soil conservation. “We must focus on income and health. Organic farming is the way forward,” he said.

Prominent attendees included Agriculture Principal Secretary Arabinda Padhee, Pipili MLA Ashrit Pattnaik, Ekamra-Bhubaneswar MLA Babu Singh, and Khordha MLA Prasant Jagadev.