Awareness levels among beneficiary farmers of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi: An evaluation

Abstract

Agriculture is a vital sector in India, yet farmers face significant challenges, including inadequate financing. To address these issues, the Indian government introduced the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme, which provides financial assistance to farmer families. This study evaluates the awareness levels among beneficiary farmers regarding the PM-KISAN scheme and its impact on their socioeconomic conditions. Conducted in Telangana, India, with a sample of 120 farmers, the study uses an ex-post facto research design to assess socio-economic characteristics and awareness levels. The study reveals that farmers generally have a moderate level of awareness of the PM-KISAN scheme, with an average Mean Percentile Score (MPS) of 65.84%. Awareness is highest regarding basic aspects of the scheme, such as the benefit amount and payment process, but lower regarding specific details like eligibility cut-off dates and the PM-Kisan helpline. Key factors positively correlated with higher awareness include education, farming experience, and access to information sources, while age, extension contact, annual income, and risk orientation also significantly impact awareness levels. The findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to improve farmers' understanding and awareness of the PM-KISAN scheme, thereby enhancing support for the agricultural sector.