Patna: A total of Rs1,476 crore was transferred to the bank accounts of more than 73 lakh farmers in Bihar under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, at a programme held at Gyan Bhavan here on Friday. Chief minister Samrat Choudhary expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for continuing financial support to farmers through the scheme.Addressing the gathering, the CM said Bihar govt is making sustained efforts to raise farmers’ income and ensure they receive maximum returns from agriculture. He said Rs7,000 per farmer had been provided as relief to flood-affected cultivators in the state, while Rs 270 crore had been disbursed to farmers through agricultural input subsidy.Choudhary said PM Kisan Samman Nidhi has strengthened agriculture by providing direct financial assistance to farmers. Under the scheme, eligible farmers receive Rs6,000 annually in three instalments. He said farmers have been receiving assistance continuously under the programme for the past seven years.The CM stressed the need to improve production by linking agriculture with modern technology. He said Bihar is among the states where farmers in every panchayat receive farming advice based on weather conditions. Moving beyond traditional practices, agriculture must be connected with markets and minimum support price mechanisms to strengthen farmers’ economic condition and bring positive changes to Bihar’s farm sector, he said.Choudhary added that electricity is being supplied to farmers from 6am to 6pm, and work is underway to connect agricultural feeders fully with solar energy. Govt provides about Rs5,500 crore as additional annual subsidy for agricultural feeders. He also called for greater focus on organic farming, green energy and water management.Principal secretary, agriculture department, Narmadeshwar Lal, also addressed the programme and welcomed the CM.
