New Delhi: Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ramnath Thakur, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha, said that the Centre has disbursed over ₹4.27 lakh crore to farmers under the PM-Kisan scheme through 22 instalments since its launch in February 2019.
The PM-Kisan scheme was introduced to support the financial needs of cultivable land-holding farmers. Under the programme, eligible farmers receive ₹6,000 annually, paid in three equal instalments directly into their Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.
Highlighting the scale of outreach, the minister noted that during the 21st instalment released on November 19, 2025, more than 9.35 crore farmers benefited from the scheme.
Several independent and government-backed studies have assessed the impact of PM-Kisan and found encouraging results. A study by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) in 2019 revealed that the scheme has played a key role in boosting rural economic growth. It has helped farmers overcome credit constraints and invest more confidently in agricultural inputs, while also improving their ability to take calculated risks in farming.
Feedback gathered through Kisan Call Centres further shows that more than 93 per cent of farmers are using the funds for agricultural activities.
Another detailed evaluation by NITI Aayog’s Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO) found that over 92 per cent of beneficiaries utilised the financial assistance for essential inputs such as seeds, fertilisers and pesticides. Around 85 per cent of farmers reported an increase in agricultural income, along with reduced dependence on informal credit during emergencies like crop loss or health issues.
The scheme has also made services more accessible through digital platforms. A dedicated ‘Farmers Corner’ on the PM-Kisan portal allows farmers to check their beneficiary status and instalment details. Additionally, Common Service Centres provide on-ground support for those who need assistance.
To further improve accessibility, the government has introduced a voice-based AI chatbot called Kisan e-Mitra. Available in 11 languages including Hindi, English, Tamil, Bengali and Marathi, the chatbot has already addressed over 95 lakh queries from more than 53 lakh farmers, offering quick and clear responses round the clock.
The minister emphasised that Aadhaar authentication is mandatory for registration, ensuring transparency and direct transfer of funds into beneficiaries’ accounts. Regular drives are also conducted in coordination with states, Common Service Centres and India Post Payments Bank to ensure Aadhaar seeding and wider coverage.
Overall, the PM-Kisan scheme continues to play a crucial role in improving farmers’ financial stability, strengthening agricultural productivity, and supporting rural livelihoods across the country.