Dehradun: On the occasion of Prime Minister Kisan Utsav Diwas, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami congratulated farmers of the state on the release of the 23rd installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana during an event held at the Himalayan Cultural Centre.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually transferred the installment amount to farmers across the country from West Bengal.
The Chief Minister stated that under this installment, approximately 100 million farmers nationwide received ₹188.8 billion (₹18,880 crore) through DBT. In Uttarakhand, more than 800,000 farmers received over ₹1.59 billion (₹159 crore).
He noted that when the scheme was launched in 2019, around 400,000 farmers in the state benefited, whereas the number has now exceeded 800,000, reflecting growing trust in the government and effective implementation of welfare programs.
The Chief Minister said farmers are the foundation of the country’s prosperity and food security. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, farmers’ dignity, security, and prosperity are being given top priority through initiatives such as the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, soil health cards, natural farming, and modern agricultural technologies.
He added that the state government has made canal irrigation completely free and allocated ₹2 billion (₹200 crore) in the budget to increase farmers’ income. More than 350 modern polyhouses have been developed with an investment of ₹1.15 billion (₹115 crore).
To address climate-related challenges, a ₹10 billion (₹1,000 crore) “Uttarakhand Climate Responsive Rain-fed Farming Project” has been approved. Farmers are also receiving subsidies of up to 80% under the new apple policy, kiwi policy, dragon fruit policy, and the State Millet Mission.
The government is expanding cold-chain infrastructure, cold storage facilities, CA storage, and mega food parks to improve market access for farmers. Under the “Mehak Kranti” initiative, seven aroma valleys are being developed, and aromatic farming is being promoted across 23,000 hectares.
The Chief Minister also highlighted that the House of Himalayas brand is helping local products and millets gain national and international recognition. He claimed that Uttarakhand has achieved the top position in India in terms of farmers’ income growth due to clear policies and effective governance.
