Over 9.44 crore farmers to receive direct benefit transfer as Centre launches key agriculture initiatives aimed at digital farming, crop protection and sustainable agriculture

Key Highlights

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will release the 23rd PM-KISAN instalment on June 20 from Tarakeswar, Hooghly district, West Bengal.
• More than ₹18,880 crore will be transferred directly to over 9.44 crore farmers.
• Over 2.18 crore women farmers will receive benefits under the latest instalment.
• Total PM-KISAN disbursement since launch will cross ₹4.46 lakh crore.
• West Bengal farmers will receive over ₹907 crore under the latest instalment.
• PMFBY crop insurance scheme to be formally rolled out in West Bengal.
• AgriStack digital agriculture platform to be launched in the state.
• National Mission on Natural Farming and PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana to expand agricultural support across selected districts.

PM-KISAN Crosses New Milestone as ₹18,880 Crore Set for Direct Transfer to Farmers

New Delhi/Kolkata, June 18: The Centre is set to transfer more than ₹18,880 crore directly into the bank accounts of over 9.44 crore farmers under the 23rd instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme, marking one of the largest direct benefit transfers to India’s farming community.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will release the instalment during a programme at Tarakeswar in Hooghly district, West Bengal, on June 20.

The latest disbursement will take the cumulative transfer under PM-KISAN beyond ₹4.46 lakh crore since the scheme’s launch in February 2019.

More than 2.18 crore women farmers are expected to benefit from the latest instalment.

Major Boost for West Bengal Farmers

West Bengal will be a major beneficiary of the latest transfer cycle.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, over 45.35 lakh farmers in the state will receive more than ₹907 crore, taking cumulative PM-KISAN disbursements in the state beyond ₹15,055 crore.

The event is expected to be accompanied by large-scale farmer outreach programmes under PM-KISAN Utsav Diwas, with participation from Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), agricultural universities and local governance institutions.

More than one crore farmers are expected to connect virtually through various agriculture-focused institutions and community centres.

Crop Insurance Scheme Expands to West Bengal

One of the most significant announcements is the rollout of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and the Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS) in West Bengal.

The programme aims to provide insurance coverage to nearly:

• 1.10 crore farmers.
• Around 30 lakh hectares of agricultural land.
• Crops valued at approximately ₹28,140 crore.

To support adoption, the Centre and State Government will provide premium subsidies estimated at around ₹777 crore.

The move extends the benefits of what is considered the world’s largest crop insurance programme to a larger section of farmers in the state.

Digital Agriculture Gets a Push with AgriStack

The Prime Minister will also launch AgriStack in West Bengal under the Digital Agriculture Mission.

The digital platform is designed to streamline access to:

• Fertilizer distribution.
• Kisan Credit Cards.
• Direct Benefit Transfers.
• MSP procurement services.
• Agriculture-related digital records.

The initiative is part of the government’s broader effort to modernize agricultural governance through technology and digital public infrastructure.

Natural Farming Mission Expands

The National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) will also be introduced in West Bengal.

Under the 2026-27 action plan:

• 346 natural farming clusters will be established.
• 17,300 hectares will be brought under natural farming practices.
• Approximately 43,250 farmers will be covered.
• Bio-Input Resource Centres and Krishi Sakhis will support implementation.

The programme seeks to reduce chemical input dependency while promoting sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture.

Four Districts to Benefit Under PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana

The government will also expand the Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY) to four districts in West Bengal:

• Purulia
• Darjeeling
• Alipurduar
• Jhargram

The initiative focuses on:

• Crop diversification.
• Irrigation development.
• Post-harvest infrastructure.
• Institutional credit access.
• Convergence of agricultural development programmes.

Why It Matters for Hospitality and Food Processing

Beyond farm incomes, the package of agricultural initiatives could have important implications for food supply chains and rural economies.

Strengthening Agricultural Supply

Greater crop insurance coverage and direct income support can help farmers invest in better inputs and improve production stability, benefiting food processors and hospitality businesses dependent on agricultural raw materials.

Natural Farming and Premium Food Markets

The expansion of natural farming clusters may create opportunities for:

• Organic food brands.
• Farm-to-table restaurants.
• Sustainable hospitality operators.
• Specialty food processors.

As consumer demand for chemical-free and traceable produce grows, natural farming ecosystems could become an important sourcing channel.

Rural Economic Growth

The combined impact of PM-KISAN, crop insurance, digital agriculture and infrastructure support is expected to strengthen rural purchasing power, creating indirect benefits for hospitality, tourism and foodservice businesses operating in emerging rural and semi-urban markets.

Industry Outlook

The simultaneous rollout of direct income support, crop insurance, digital agriculture platforms and natural farming initiatives reflects the government’s increasingly integrated approach to agricultural development.

For agribusinesses, food processors and hospitality operators, these interventions could improve farm productivity, strengthen supply chains and accelerate the transition towards more sustainable agricultural production systems.