Technology-driven income support scheme continues to strengthen agricultural investment, rural economy and India’s food supply ecosystem

New Delhi, July 31, 2026: The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the continuation of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Scheme from 2026-27 to 2030-31 with a total financial outlay of ₹3.15 lakh crore.

The extension reinforces the government’s focus on farmer welfare by providing direct income support to eligible farmer families through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system, enabling greater investment in agricultural inputs, improving productivity and strengthening rural livelihoods.

For the hospitality, food & beverage and tourism sectors, continued support to farmers is expected to contribute towards a more stable agricultural supply chain, improved availability of food products and stronger rural economies that support agri-tourism and culinary tourism initiatives.

Key Highlights

• PM-KISAN Scheme extended from 2026-27 to 2030-31.
• Approved financial allocation: ₹3.15 lakh crore.
• Eligible farmer families continue to receive ₹6,000 annually through DBT.
• Assistance transferred in three equal instalments directly into bank accounts.
• More than ₹4.47 lakh crore transferred to farmers through 23 instalments since launch.
• Over 9.49 crore farmers benefited under the 23rd instalment, receiving more than ₹18,984 crore.
• More than ₹1.71 lakh crore disbursed during the COVID-19 period to support farmers.
• Women farmers have received over ₹1.06 lakh crore, with nearly one-fourth of beneficiaries being women farmers.

PM-KISAN: A Digital Model of Farmer Support

Launched in February 2019, the PM-KISAN scheme provides financial assistance to eligible landholding farmer families through a transparent technology-based mechanism.

The scheme uses:

• Aadhaar authentication
• Digital beneficiary verification
• Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)

to ensure timely and transparent transfer of funds directly to farmers’ bank accounts.

The initiative has emerged as a key example of how digital infrastructure can improve efficiency, accountability and accessibility in welfare delivery.

Supporting Agricultural Investment and Rural Growth

The financial assistance provided under PM-KISAN enables farmers to make timely investments in:

• Seeds
• Fertilisers
• Irrigation systems
• Agricultural machinery
• Other farming requirements

According to the government, the scheme has helped farmers reduce dependence on informal credit sources while improving financial stability and strengthening their ability to invest in agricultural activities.

Independent Evaluation Highlights Positive Outcomes

The impact of PM-KISAN has been assessed by various independent institutions, including the Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO) of NITI Aayog.

Key findings include:

• Over 92% of beneficiaries reported using the assistance for agricultural activities and investments.
• Around 85% of beneficiaries reported improvement in agricultural income and reduced dependence on informal credit.

The government also highlighted growth in India’s foodgrain production between 2020-21 and 2025-26:

• Cultivated area increased by approximately 9.65%.
• Productivity increased by approximately 10.53%.
• Total foodgrain production increased by approximately 21.18%.

Impact on Hospitality, Food & Beverage and Tourism Industry

The continuation of PM-KISAN can have wider implications across India’s food and hospitality ecosystem.

1. Strengthening Food Supply Chains

Greater financial stability among farmers can support consistent production of agricultural commodities required by hotels, restaurants and food businesses.

2. Supporting Farm-to-Table Models

With improved farming capacity, hospitality brands can build stronger partnerships with local farmers for sourcing fresh and regional ingredients.

3. Growth of Culinary Tourism

A stronger rural economy can support regional food experiences, traditional cuisine promotion and destination-based culinary tourism.

4. Boost to Agri-Tourism

Improved farmer incomes can encourage rural entrepreneurship through:

• Farm stays
• Village experiences
• Local food trails
• Agricultural tourism activities

5. Supporting Sustainable Hospitality Practices

Direct farmer empowerment can encourage responsible sourcing, traceability and sustainable food procurement models adopted by modern hospitality businesses.

PM-KISAN Supporting Vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat

The government stated that the continued expansion of PM-KISAN will enhance farmers’ capacity to invest in agriculture, improve productivity, reduce risks and strengthen the rural economy.

As one of the key pillars of India’s farmer-centric policies, PM-KISAN continues to support millions of agricultural households while contributing towards the broader vision of Viksit Bharat through empowered farmers, resilient agriculture and sustainable growth.