Compulsory Farmer ID Requirement for PM-Kisan Scheme

The Government of India has introduced a new regulation for the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) scheme. Starting from January 1, 2025, all new applicants are required to obtain a farmer ID to register for the program. This move is designed to simplify the application process and ensure that only eligible farmers benefit. The farmer ID acts as a unique digital identifier connected to land records, making the verification process easier.

The PM-Kisan scheme offers financial support to eligible farmer families, providing Rs 6,000 annually in three instalments of Rs 2,000 each. Launched on February 24, 2019, the scheme is entirely funded by the Central Government. Its primary goal is to assist small and marginal farmers in covering their financial requirements for agricultural inputs.

The farmer ID plays a vital role in verifying land ownership. This unique identifier confirms that the applicants are genuine farmers and is connected to the state's land records. It also includes important details such as demographic information and crop specifics. The farmer ID will help reduce fraudulent applications and simplify the registration process.

The farmer ID requirement is currently implemented in ten states: Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. These states represent about 84% of all PM-Kisan beneficiaries. Other states will introduce this requirement at a later time.

The farmer ID database will serve as the foundation for the Farmer’s Registry, which is a part of the Agri-Stack initiative under the Digital Agriculture Mission. The government plans to generate 6 crore farmer IDs by the end of March 2025. As of January 7, 2025, one crore IDs have already been created.

The PM-Kisan scheme uses a Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system, which ensures that financial assistance is directly transferred to the beneficiaries' bank accounts. This method removes intermediaries and improves transparency in the distribution of funds.

The PM-Kisan scheme was introduced shortly before the 2019 elections. The government plans to generate 6 crore farmer IDs by March 2025. The scheme is fully funded by the Central Government. In October 2024, more than 9.4 crore farmers received the latest instalment. A Parliamentary panel has suggested raising the annual payout to Rs 12,000.

The mandatory farmer ID is expected to improve the efficiency of the PM-Kisan scheme, resulting in more streamlined operations and better assistance for farmers. The government's focus on digital infrastructure in agriculture is set to boost overall productivity and enhance farmer welfare in the long term.

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