Shivraj Singh Chouhan Highlights Farmers’ Role & Bihar’s Makhana Leadership as PM-Kisan 20th Installment Released

Patna – Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan addressed a large gathering of farmers in Patna during the release of the 20th installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Yojana. The event, organized in the holy month of Sawan, was attended by Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sinha, Cooperative Minister Prem Kumar, and several senior officials.

In his speech, Chouhan praised the hard work and dedication of Indian farmers, particularly women farmers, calling agriculture the “backbone of the Indian economy” and farmers its “soul.”

He said that serving farmers is the government’s foremost responsibility, reaffirming Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to making farming a profitable and sustainable profession.

The minister highlighted the achievements of the PM-KISAN scheme, under which over ₹3.77 lakh crore has so far been transferred directly to farmers’ bank accounts across the country. On this occasion, an additional ₹20,000 crore was deposited, benefitting lakhs of farmer families. He noted that Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) has eliminated leakages, ensuring farmers receive the full amount of government assistance.

Chouhan praised Bihar’s cultural and agricultural legacy, recalling its role in India’s freedom movement, particularly Mahatma Gandhi’s Champaran Satyagraha. He acknowledged the state’s leadership in Makhana production, emphasizing its contribution to the agricultural economy. He also spoke about government initiatives such as the Pradhan Mantri Dhan Dhanya Yojana, aimed at improving per-hectare productivity, especially in low-yield regions.

The Union Minister assured farmers of the timely supply of fertilizers and pesticides and reiterated the government’s commitment to procurement at Minimum Support Price (MSP) with a 50 percent profit margin over production costs. He said that various welfare schemes, crop insurance measures, and compensation programs have been designed to safeguard farmers against losses and ensure their financial stability.

Chouhan concluded by reaffirming that under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, farmers’ welfare remains the government’s top priority, with continuous efforts being made to strengthen agricultural productivity, profitability, and the overall rural economy.