Gandhinagar (Gujarat), March 13: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday released the 22nd instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) Yojana from Guwahati in Assam, transferring more than ₹18,640 crore directly into the bank accounts of 9.32 crore farmers across India.
Out of this amount, over ₹1,028 crore was credited to the accounts of 49.59 lakh farmers in Gujarat, according to an official release.
To mark the occasion, a state-level “PM Kisan Utsav Diwas” programme was organised in Gandhinagar, attended by State Agriculture Minister Jitubhai Vaghani, Minister of State Ramesh Katara, and other officials. During the event, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel distributed benefits under various agriculture and horticulture schemes to farmer beneficiaries. Thousands of farmers across the state also watched the live telecast of the Prime Minister’s address.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Patel reiterated the government’s commitment to farmer-centric governance, noting that Narendra Modi has consistently prioritised farmers’ welfare since his tenure as the Chief Minister of Gujarat.
Highlighting past challenges, Patel recalled the severe water scarcity once faced by the state’s farmers. He credited the expansion of the Narmada canal network with transforming agriculture in many regions by delivering water to distant areas and improving water management.
On the issue of power supply, the Chief Minister said farmers previously had access to electricity mainly at night. However, he noted that Gujarat now provides 24-hour electricity throughout the year, with 96–98 per cent of farmers receiving power during the daytime. He added that the government remains committed to rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge initiatives.
Patel further announced that the state government has allocated a special grant of ₹50 lakh to each MLA, which will be used exclusively for water conservation and groundwater recharge projects, aimed at preventing future water shortages for farmers.
Expressing concern over the increasing use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides, the Chief Minister urged farmers to shift toward natural farming, warning that excessive chemical use may be linked to rising health problems such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease at younger ages.
He noted that Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat has been visiting villages to promote awareness about natural farming practices, describing it as a sustainable approach to preserving soil fertility and maintaining carbon balance.
In response to challenges posed by climate change and global warming, Patel called for accelerating the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, encouraging farmers to plant more trees along farm boundaries to enhance green cover and reduce the impact of irregular climatic conditions.
Referring to the current global situation, the Chief Minister also appealed to citizens not to be misled by rumours about shortages of gas cylinders or essential commodities, expressing confidence that under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi the nation will continue progressing with the mantra “Sauno Saath, Sauno Vikas, Sauno Vishwas, Sauno Prayas.”
He added that farmers would play a key role in achieving the vision of a “Viksit Bharat” through a “Viksit Gujarat.”
Speaking at the event, Minister of State for Agriculture Ramesh Katara said farmers remain the backbone of the nation’s economy and assured that the government will continue to support them during natural calamities and other crises through schemes like PM-Kisan, which provide direct financial assistance to farming families. (ANI)
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