The 22nd instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme has been released, extending financial assistance to thousands of farmers in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with local authorities organising island-wide programmes to mark the disbursal and ensure participation at the grassroots level.
According to official information, a total amount of Rs 2.64 crore has been credited to 12,993 eligible farmers across the Islands as part of the latest instalment covering the period from December 2025 to March 2026. The funds were transferred as part of the central sector scheme that provides direct income support to landholding farmers through direct benefit transfer into Aadhaar-linked bank accounts.
The release of the instalment was carried out during a national-level programme held at Jyoti-Bishnu International Cultural Centre in Guwahati, Assam, where the Prime Minister formally initiated the transfer. In the Islands, the Department of Agriculture facilitated participation by organising live telecast sessions across all blocks and several Gram Panchayats on March 13, allowing farmers and stakeholders to witness the event collectively.
Officials stated that the initiative saw participation from more than 2,400 individuals, including farmers, Panchayati Raj Institution members, Krishi Vigyan Kendra representatives and departmental personnel. The turnout reflected continued engagement with the scheme at the local level, as beneficiaries gathered in multiple locations to track the disbursement process.
The PM-KISAN scheme, launched in February 2019, is designed to supplement the financial needs of farmers by providing Rs 6,000 annually in three equal instalments of Rs 2,000 each. The assistance is aimed at supporting farmers in meeting agricultural and allied expenses, particularly in regions where farming remains a key livelihood activity.
Data shared by the administration indicates that since the inception of the scheme, a cumulative amount of Rs 62.013 crore has been disbursed to farmers in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The continued flow of funds under successive instalments highlights the sustained coverage of beneficiaries under the programme.
Officials noted that the organisation of live telecast events at the Panchayat and block levels was intended not only to ensure transparency in the disbursal process but also to strengthen awareness about the scheme among farmers who may not yet be enrolled. The gatherings also served as a platform for interaction between farmers and officials, enabling clarification of procedural aspects related to eligibility and registration.
The participation of Krishi Vigyan Kendra officials and local representatives further underscored efforts to integrate agricultural extension services with financial support mechanisms. Authorities indicated that such coordinated outreach is essential in geographically dispersed regions like the Islands, where access to information can vary across locations.
The Department of Agriculture has been facilitating enrolment and verification processes to ensure that eligible farmers are included under the scheme. Emphasis has also been placed on Aadhaar linkage and bank account verification to avoid delays in fund transfers and to maintain the integrity of the direct benefit transfer system.
While the scheme continues to provide periodic financial relief, officials reiterated that it complements broader agricultural initiatives aimed at improving productivity, sustainability and resilience in the sector. The consistent release of instalments, they said, plays a role in stabilising farm incomes and supporting routine agricultural operations.
With the latest instalment now credited, attention is expected to shift towards ensuring that remaining eligible farmers are brought under the scheme and that awareness efforts continue across remote and rural pockets of the Islands.
