Question : Expansion of PM Kisan Yojana

(a) whether the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Scheme has been expanded to cover all farmers’ families in the country, irrespective of the size of their land holdings and area of agricultural activity;

(b) if so, the identified target of beneficiaries under the scheme in Kerala and the fields of agriculture to which these benefits would be extended, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government also plans to consider establishing a regulator to maintain prices of agricultural produces for the benefit of the farmers; and

(d) if so the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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(a): Yes, Sir. The ambit of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Scheme has been expanded to cover all farmers in the country, irrespective of the size of their land holdings, subject to exclusion criteria relating to higher income status.

(b): As per the existing data of estimated number of operational holdings according to the Agriculture Census 2015-16, about 75,83,000 farmers are eligible for getting the benefits of PM-KISAN in Kerala.

(c) & (d): The Government has already constituted the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP), which is an expert body for recommending Minimum Support Prices by taking into account cost of production, trends in domestic and international prices etc.

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