Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to release the 17th installment of ₹20,000 crore under the PM-KISAN scheme during his visit to Varanasi on June 18, 2024. This announcement was made by Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
The event, organized by the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in collaboration with the Government of Uttar Pradesh, will also see the distribution of certificates to over 30,000 self-help groups recognized as Krishi Sakhis. Dignitaries expected to attend include Uttar Pradesh Governor, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and other state ministers. After the 16th installment, farmers were eagerly waiting for the 17th installment to come.
Approximately 20 million farmers from various states will participate in the event, both physically and virtually. Invitations have been extended to all state chief ministers. Additionally, Union ministers have been assigned to interact with farmers and officials by visiting 50 Krishi Vigyan Kendras, which are district-level farming knowledge centers. Nearly 100,000 primary agricultural cooperatives will also join the event virtually.
Minister Chouhan stated that the agriculture ministry is developing a 100-day agenda for the farm sector as directed by the Prime Minister. The agenda is part of a broader initiative where each department is tasked with preparing a work program for 100 days.
Chouhan also mentioned a memorandum of understanding between the agriculture and rural affairs ministries to train 30,000 women from self-help groups in farming practices. These women will receive certificates at the June 18 event, enabling them to work as Krishi Sakhis or farm counselors, potentially earning an additional income of ₹60,000 to ₹80,000 annually. This initiative supports the Lakhpati Didi scheme aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs.