PM Kisan Samman Nidhi benefits 2.62 crore farmers, without discrimination based on caste, religion, or identity

Lucknow : Amidst the ongoing political discourse on caste issues in the country, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has reiterated his stance that there are only four castes — farmers, women, youth and poor. He emphasized that uplifting these groups will eliminate discrimination across the nation.

Addressing the House on the supplementary budget during the monsoon session of the Assembly, the Chief Minister stated that for the first time, farmers have become a central part of the government’s agenda.

“Today, farmers are receiving the full benefit of MSP. The Soil Health Card Scheme has been introduced for the first time, and Annadatas are benefiting from the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi without regard to caste, religion, or appearance,” he said.

Emphasizing that farmers, women, youth, and the poor are the only four castes, CM Yogi stated, “Efforts have been made at the government level to uplift these groups, with significant work done in the agriculture sector. This has become a transformative force in farmers’ lives, with Krishi Vigyan Kendras serving as prime examples.”

Criticizing the previous SP government, CM Yogi pointed out that in 2016, the Government of India offered 20 Krishi Vigyan Kendras to Uttar Pradesh, but the then government did not accept them. He added, “When our government came to power in 2017, we acquired and strengthened these Krishi Vigyan Kendras.”

He elaborated, “Today, these centers are actively training farmers, conducting demonstrations, and providing information on obtaining quality seeds, improving crop quality, and the optimal timing for sowing. Laboratories are available for testing, and arrangements are being made for certification of farmers’ produce.”

The Chief Minister highlighted that in the past seven years, there has been a 36 per cent increase in pulses production and a 127 per cent increase in oilseeds. “We have advanced towards crop diversification. Through Agrotech, we have promoted Shri Anna alongside pulses and oilseeds. Previously, it was dismissed as a coarse grain, but now its demand has surged globally. The world is recognizing the value of Shri Anna, and it is now available in every major hotel.”

CM Yogi announced that Uttar Pradesh is the first state in the country to assess crop production through a digital crop survey across 75 districts.

He added, “We have established 3,406 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), connecting 9 lakh 39 thousand farmers. The state operates 529 farm machinery units, 472 warehouses, and 100 seed processing units, generating an annual turnover of Rs 629 crore.”

He stated that 2 crore 62 lakh farmers in the state are benefiting from the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, with each beneficiary receiving Rs 6,000 annually.