Bhubaneswar- In a major push to farmer welfare, over 34.85 lakh farmers across Odisha 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 initiative led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Varanasi, where more than 9.7 crore farmers across India received a total of Rs 20,500 crore directly in their bank accounts.
In Odisha, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi handed over Rs 697 crore—Rs 2,000 each to beneficiaries—at a special ceremony held at ICAR-CIFA near Bhubaneswar. Addressing the large gathering, CM Majhi emphasized the government’s commitment to farmers, stating that within a year of assuming office, several welfare schemes have been launched. Over 50 lakh farmers in the state are now receiving Rs 4,000 annually through PM-KISAN, and with the addition of the CM-KISAN scheme, each eligible farmer is getting a total of Rs 10,000 every year.
The Chief Minister also highlighted an ongoing saturation campaign in all blocks to ensure that every eligible farmer is covered under the PM-KISAN scheme. In addition, state-run schemes are further enhancing farmer support. Under the Samrudha Krushak Yojana, an extra Rs 800 in input assistance is being provided. During the last Kharif season, around Rs 6,000 crore was disbursed among 17 lakh farmers, and for the Rabi season, Rs 1,600 crore reached more than 3 lakh beneficiaries.
Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, speaking at the event, announced that Odisha had recently received the prestigious Agriculture Today Award. He reiterated the government’s resolve to double farmers’ income, citing the recent increase in paddy procurement prices to Rs 3,100 per quintal as a major step. He also encouraged farmers to look beyond traditional paddy cultivation and focus on oilseeds, alternative crops, and organic farming to ensure both economic and ecological sustainability.
The event witnessed participation from key figures including Agriculture Principal Secretary Arabinda Padhee, Pipili MLA Ashrit Pattnaik, Ekamra-Bhubaneswar MLA Babu Singh, and Khordha MLA Prasant Jagadev, showcasing the unified commitment of the government to uplift Odisha’s farming community.
