Roadmap for Answer Writing

1. Introduction

• Context: Introduce PM-KISAN and its significance.
• Key Information: Mention that PM-KISAN is a central scheme launched in 2019, aimed at providing income support of Rs 6,000 annually to small and marginal farmers.
• Thesis: State that the scheme has contributed to addressing agrarian issues and fostering rural development but still faces challenges in implementation.

2. Body

A. PM-KISAN’s Contribution to Addressing Agrarian Issues

• Income Stability
  • PM-KISAN provides regular income support of Rs 6,000 per year, distributed in three instalments.
  • Fact: This income helps stabilize farmers’ finances, particularly during adverse weather conditions or market price fluctuations.
  • Illustration: Example of how small farmers use the support to manage production costs or meet basic needs during difficult times.
• Debt Relief
  • PM-KISAN funds are often used by farmers to repay small loans, which helps them reduce debt and improve creditworthiness.
  • Fact: The scheme has played a role in reducing distress and even lowering instances of farmer suicides.
  • Illustration: Mention how small farmers can use the payment to settle informal debts or short-term loans from local lenders.
• Reducing Input Costs
  • The scheme provides crucial financial help to cover input costs like seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides.
  • Fact: The additional income helps small farmers invest in quality inputs, leading to improved productivity.
  • Illustration: A farmer using PM-KISAN money to buy better seeds, which results in better crop yields and profitability.

B. PM-KISAN’s Role in Promoting Rural Development

• Boosting Local Markets
  • Increased purchasing power leads to higher demand for goods and services, boosting local rural economies.
  • Fact: Farmers’ increased disposable income contributes to consumer demand in rural areas.
  • Illustration: A farmer using the financial support to buy household goods, which boosts sales in the local village market.
• Investment in Local Businesses
  • The scheme indirectly supports the development of non-agricultural activities by enhancing household incomes.
  • Fact: With additional income, farmers may venture into small businesses or services, fostering entrepreneurship.
  • Illustration: Example of a farmer investing in a small retail business, improving family income and creating employment locally.
• Agricultural Productivity
  • The regular income support allows farmers to adopt improved agricultural practices, resulting in better productivity and diversification.
  • Fact: PM-KISAN indirectly contributes to higher yields through better input usage and modern techniques.
  • Illustration: Farmers using PM-KISAN funds to adopt water-saving irrigation systems, leading to efficient farming and higher output.

C. Challenges Faced by PM-KISAN

• Limited Beneficiary Reach
  • Only a fraction of the eligible small and marginal farmers have been registered under the scheme.
  • Fact: As of , only 32% of the 125 million intended beneficiaries have been included.
  • Illustration: Mention how tenant farmers and landless laborers, who make up a significant portion of the rural population, are excluded from the scheme.
• Inadequate Financial Support
  • The Rs 6,000 annual payment is insufficient to address the high production costs of farming.
  • Fact: The amount is only a fraction of what is needed for a small farm’s operational costs.
  • Illustration: Show that even though the income support is beneficial, it covers only a small portion of actual production or consumption costs.
• Market and Structural Issues
  • Without complementary reforms in agricultural markets, PM-KISAN risks distorting market prices or cropping patterns.
  • Fact: The scheme doesn’t address deeper structural issues such as market access, price volatility, or crop diversification.
  • Illustration: Farmers may continue focusing on traditional crops rather than diversifying due to limited market reforms, despite receiving income support.
• Awareness and Registration Barriers
  • Many eligible farmers are unaware of how to register or face barriers in accessing the benefits.
  • Fact: In some states, awareness about the scheme remains low; for example, only 41% of farmers in Bihar were aware of PM-KISAN.
  • Illustration: Include examples of states where registration processes are cumbersome, leading to exclusion of deserving farmers.
• Incorrect Beneficiaries
  • Non-farmers or ineligible individuals have been found receiving benefits due to faulty verification systems.
  • Fact: Reports show instances of government employees or large landowners benefiting from PM-KISAN.
  • Illustration: Use the example of Uttar Pradesh, where over 12,000 non-farmers received payments under the scheme.

3. Way Forward

• Expand Beneficiary Base: Include tenant farmers, landless laborers, and sharecroppers under the scheme to ensure inclusivity.
• Improve Awareness Campaigns: Conduct targeted campaigns using local languages, media, and community networks to raise awareness about the scheme.
• Strengthen Verification and Data Updates: Use advanced technology to regularly update beneficiary lists and avoid incorrect payments.
• Integrate with Market Reforms: Complement the income support with agricultural market reforms to encourage crop diversification and ensure better market access.
• Enhance Financial Support: Consider increasing the amount of income support to make it more meaningful in addressing input costs and other needs.