The ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Manipur Centre, along with its Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), today observed PM Kisan Diwas at its Lamphelpat campus to mark the disbursement of the 20th instalment of the PM-KISAN Samman Nidhi Yojana.

The event, held as part of a nationwide observance, celebrated the landmark moment in the government’s flagship income support scheme for farmers. Vice Chancellor of Central Agricultural University (CAU), Imphal, Dr. Anupam Mishra, termed the occasion a “significant milestone” in India’s agricultural journey and hailed the scheme’s role in bolstering farmer welfare.

Dr. Mishra highlighted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the scheme—launched in 2019—has become one of the world’s largest direct benefit transfer (DBT) initiatives. With the 20th instalment, over ₹20,500 crore will be directly credited to the bank accounts of more than 9.7 crore farmers across India.

He emphasized that PM-KISAN is more than just financial aid, calling it a symbol of recognition for the resilience and contribution of India’s farming community. He also lauded the scheme’s transparency, citing timely SMS alerts, KYC compliance, and land record verification as proof of its efficient governance model.

Prof. Ph. Ranjit Sharma, Director of Extension Education at CAU Imphal, underscored the significance of PM-KISAN for farmers in the Northeast, including those part of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs). He encouraged all eligible farmers to enroll and benefit from the scheme’s latest phase.

The programme featured the distribution of agricultural inputs to selected beneficiaries. A live telecast of the Prime Minister’s national address and the official release of the 20th instalment was also screened, allowing attendees to witness the moment in real time.

Dr. Ch. Basudha Devi, Head of ICAR Manipur Centre, and Peter Salam, Director of Agriculture, Government of Manipur, were also present at the observance.