Bhagalpur (Bihar), Feb 24: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday released the 19th instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme under which more than Rs 22,000 crore was transferred to the bank accounts of 9.8 crore farmers across the country.
At an event in Bihar’s Bhagalpur district, the PM reiterated the government’s commitment to rural development and agricultural prosperity, emphasising that the scheme continues to provide crucial financial support to farmers.
“The scheme supports farmers nationwide and further reaffirms the government’s commitment to rural development and agricultural prosperity,” Modi said.
The PM-KISAN scheme is a central sector scheme launched in February 2019 by the PM to supplement the financial needs of land-holding farmers.
Eligible farmers will receive Rs 2,000 as part of the Rs 6,000 annual benefit, distributed in three instalments.
The PM also launched several development projects for the state on the occasion.
Modi said the NDA government was promoting animal husbandry to increase the income of landless and small farmers.
He also highlighted the success of the ‘Lakhpati Didis’ in villages and so far, around 1.25 crore Lakhpati Didis were created across the country, including thousands of Jeevika Didis in Bihar.
Modi mentioned that the Centre of Excellence in Motihari will help develop superior indigenous cattle breeds. Additionally, the milk plant in Barauni will benefit three lakh farmers in the region and provide employment opportunities for the youth, he added.
“Bihar has made remarkable progress in fish production. Ten years ago, Bihar was among the top 10 fish-producing states in the country, but today, Bihar has become one of the top five fish-producing states in India,” said the PM.
He said that Bhagalpur is also known for the Ganga dolphins, which is a significant success of the Namami Gange campaign.
Several agricultural products, which were never exported before, are now reaching international markets, the prime minister said.
Modi highlighted that it is now time for Bihar’s Makhana (fox nut) to enter the global market.
“Makhana has become a popular part of breakfast in Indian cities and is considered a superfood. The formation of a Makhana Board announced in this year’s budget will assist farmers in every aspect, including Makhana production, processing, value addition, and marketing,” said the PM.
“Bihar is set to become a major centre for the food processing industry in Eastern India. The National Institute of Food Technology and Entrepreneurship will soon be set up in Bihar. Additionally, three new Centres of Excellence in agriculture will be established in the state,” he said.
One of these centres will be set up in Bhagalpur, focusing on the Jardalu variety of mangoes, while the other two will be established in Munger and Buxar, assisting tomato, onion, and potato farmers, he said.
The PM highlighted that numerous steps are being taken to strengthen the textile industry in the country.
Noting that Bhagalpur is considered a place where even trees produce gold, he said, “Bhagalpuri silk and Tussar silk are popular in India and the demand for Tussar silk is continuously increasing in other countries as well”.
The PM also highlighted that the government had set a target to establish 10,000 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) in the country, and it has now achieved this goal.
“Bihar is witnessing the establishment of the 10,000th FPO. This FPO, registered in Khagaria district, focuses on maize, banana, and paddy,” he said.
“The rise of a ‘viksit Bharat’ (developed India) will begin with Purvodaya”, said Modi, emphasizing that Bihar is the most important pillar of Eastern India and a symbol of India’s cultural heritage.
He expressed confidence that in a developed India, Bihar will regain its position akin to the ancient prosperous Pataliputra.
Modi announced that a new highway from Munger to Bhagalpur to Mirza Chauki, costing approximately Rs 5,000 crore, is being constructed.
The PM also said that Bhagalpur has been culturally and historically significant, highlighting that during the era of Vikramshila University, it was a global centre of knowledge.
He noted that the government had initiated efforts to link the ancient glory of Nalanda University with modern India.
Following Nalanda, a central university is being established at Vikramshila and the central government will soon commence work on this project, he added. (PTI)
