Page 18 - NIS English 1-15 June, 2026

Cover Story
Years
of Vikas Yatra
Funds for Agricultural Development
The budget allocated `1,32,561 crore for the
agriculture sector in 2026-27. Approximately `9,967
crore was allocated for agri-education and research.
This reaffirms the government’s commitment to
prioritizing agricultural development.
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana
60 year-and-above persons who opted for
it will be given a monthly pension of
₹3,000. The monthly contribution amount
ranges from ₹55 to ₹200, depending on
the entry age.
24.96 crore farmers are registered
under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan
Maandhan Yojana as of February
6, 2026.
The government currently at the
Centre is working with absolute
sincerity to reduce farmers’
expenses and to share the burden of
their costs. The PM Kisan Samman
Nidhi stands as the world’s largest
scheme wherein financial assistance
is transferred directly into the bank
accounts of farmers.
Narendra Modi, Prime Minister
16 NEW INDIA SAMACHAR || June 1-15, 2026
Farmers Continue to Receive Fer-
tilizers at Concessional Rates
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent
conflicts, fertilizer prices in the international market
skyrocketed manifold. Sourcing fertilizers from foreign
markets also became extremely difficult; however, the
Central Government made every possible effort to
mitigate this crisis.
rupees worth urea bag in the
3,000 international market has been
provided by the Central Government
to farmers below ₹300.
n The government has spent over ₹12 lakh crore from
its own exchequer on this initiative to ensure that no
financial burden falls upon the farmers.
n Over the past 12 years, the Central Government has
woven a robust safety net around the nation’s farmers.
Schemes such as MSP, affordable credit, crop insurance,
and the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi have served as pillars
of immense support for the farming community.
n With the objective of integrating farming with
modern technology, connecting farmers to innovative
irrigation methods, and ensuring benefits for their
crops, the government formulated the ‘Per Drop, More
Crop’ policy. Through this initiative, micro-irrigation
technologies—such as drip and sprinkler systems—
were made accessible to farmers.
n The Centre launched the Kusum Scheme. Today, a large
number of farmers are not only utilizing solar pumps
for irrigation but are also generating electricity through
them, thereby earning additional income.