PM Kisan 24th instalment: Rs 67.36 crore reaches 3.36 lakh farmer families in Buldhana

The 24th instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, or PM Kisan scheme, was released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Under it, Rs 67.36 crore was credited directly to the bank accounts of 3,36,825 eligible farmer families in Buldhana district.

Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav said that, on the occasion of Diwali, farmers were getting financial support through various Central and state government schemes.

The programme was telecast live at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra in Buldhana, which comes under Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth. Those present there included Dr Dhanraj Undirwade, Dr Pramod Wakale, Santosh Dabre, Dr Satish Jadhav, Amol Jhape, Omsing Rajput, Anuja Sawale and Adv. Gaikwad. Farmers from the district and representatives of women's self-help groups also attended.

The programme discussed the likely impact of climate change and El Nino. Farmers were advised to make effective use of modern technology to deal with the challenges these could pose to farming.

Some women's self-help groups and progressive farmers were also symbolically honoured with certificates. Amol Jhape, senior scientist at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, introduced the programme. Director of Extension Education Dr Dhanraj Undirwade and District Superintending Agriculture Officer Santosh Dabre gave information on various farming schemes.

Jadhav also said that, in view of drought-like conditions and crop losses, the state government was giving an advance benefit of Rs 5,000. According to him, with both schemes combined, eligible farmers will receive total financial support of Rs 7,000 before Diwali.

The rabi season was also discussed. Given the likelihood of water scarcity in the coming days, careful planning of available water was described as essential. Farmers were asked to plan rabi sowing keeping in mind drinking water needs and fodder availability for cattle, and to give priority to gram, sorghum and fodder crops.