The Government of India disbursed Rs 422.05 crore to more than 20.31 lakh farmers in Assam on Saturday under the 20th installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme. The direct benefit transfer (DBT) was launched virtually by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Varanasi, as part of the PM-Kisan Utsav commemorations held nationwide.

In Assam, the occasion was marked by a dedicated programme at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kahikuchi, where state officials, farmers, and representatives of the Agriculture Department participated through virtual and physical means. The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare reiterated the importance of PM-KISAN in strengthening rural livelihoods and driving inclusive agricultural growth.

Launched in February 2019, PM-KISAN provides Rs 6,000 annually to eligible farming families across India in three equal installments. With this latest disbursal, the scheme has maintained its position as the world’s largest DBT initiative targeting the agriculture sector, reinforcing its role in India’s rural policy architecture.

The Assam disbursal underscores the Centre’s continued emphasis on supporting smallholder and marginal farmers who form the backbone of the state’s agrarian economy. Timely financial assistance under PM-KISAN has contributed to improving farmers’ ability to invest in inputs, manage cultivation risks, and stabilize household income amid growing climate and market uncertainties.

The event was attended by key dignitaries, including the Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Textiles and the Assam Minister for Agriculture. Their presence signaled the alignment between central and state governments on prioritizing farm-sector reforms and rural economic resilience.

Over the years, PM-KISAN has also played a catalytic role in expanding formal land record digitization, accelerating financial inclusion, and linking farmers with institutional credit mechanisms. In vulnerable agrarian states like Assam, where recurring floods, soil degradation, and fragmented land holdings challenge productivity, the scheme has emerged as a stabilizing intervention.

The release of the 20th installment comes at a time when policy discourse is increasingly focused on enhancing the delivery efficiency of welfare transfers, integrating DBT platforms with climate-smart agriculture, and transitioning toward regenerative and market-responsive farm systems.

By embedding predictability and transparency in farm income support, PM-KISAN continues to shape India’s strategy for sustainable agricultural development and rural transformation.