The ICAR–Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, organised a Kisan Gosthi today to mark the disbursement of the 21st instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN). The event brought together farmers, policymakers, scientists and senior officials to discuss advancements in agriculture and highlight ongoing national initiatives aimed at farmer welfare.

Dr. R. N. Padaria, Joint Director Extension, ICAR-IARI, New Delhi welcomed all dignitaries and participants, reaffirming IARI’s commitment to empowering farmers through scientific research, technology dissemination and hands-on learning. He underscored the Institute’s role in bridging the gap between research and field application.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Kamlesh Paswan, Minister of State for Rural Development, highlighted the Government of India’s continuous efforts to improve rural livelihoods and strengthen grassroots institutions. He praised farmers’ deep understanding of soil and crop behaviour and emphasised the transformative potential of Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) in enhancing farm income. He reiterated that a range of government schemes are being implemented to ensure the holistic development of farmers.

Speaking at the event, Smt. Raksha Nikhil Khadse, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, described farmers as the backbone of the nation and stressed the importance of making them saksham (empowered) for building a Viksit Bharat. She called for greater adoption of integrated and organic farming practices and commended IARI for providing farmers with opportunities to learn directly from research fields, demonstrations and innovative technologies.

Shri Harsh Malhotra, Minister of State for Corporate Affairs and Road Transport & Highways, appreciated IARI’s pivotal role in India’s agricultural advancement. He noted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, multiple farmer-centric initiatives have been launched, ensuring timely financial assistance to small and marginal farmers through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system. He further highlighted the importance of robust logistics and infrastructure in improving market access and strengthening agricultural value chains.

The programme featured a series of technical sessions conducted by IARI scientists on a wide range of topics, including natural farming, improved pulse varieties, quality seed production, weed management in rabi crops, protected cultivation of vegetables, and integrated farming systems. Farmers actively engaged with experts, raising queries and sharing field-level experiences. The Kisan Gosthi witnessed active participation from 254 male farmers and 10 female farmers, along with Ex-MLA Shri R P Singh, senior officials, scientists and staff of IARI.

A live broadcast of the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s address and the release of the 21st PM-KISAN instalment was shown to all participants. During his address, the Prime Minister praised the farmers of Tamil Nadu for their courage and dedication, encouraged the adoption of natural farming, highlighted the significance of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), and congratulated farmers across the nation for their relentless hard work. He also noted that the reduction in GST on biofertilizers has significantly benefitted farmers, promoting affordability and wider adoption of sustainable agricultural inputs.

Since its inception, the PM-KISAN scheme has released ₹3.9 lakh crore to farmers across the country through 20 instalments, providing direct income support and ensuring financial stability for farm households. In the 21st instalment released today, the Government transferred over ₹18,000 crore to more than 9 crore farmers, reinforcing its commitment to timely and transparent assistance through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism.

The programme concluded with a field visit, where farmers observed advanced agricultural technologies, improved crop varieties and key research initiatives currently underway at IARI. The exposure visit enabled farmers to gain first-hand insights into the latest innovations shaping India’s agricultural future.

Delivering the vote of thanks, Dr. P. S. Brahmanand, Project Director, WTC, ICAR-IARI, New Delhi expressed gratitude to all dignitaries, scientists, and participating farmers. He acknowledged the collective efforts of various departments in successfully organising the programme and reaffirmed IARI’s commitment to supporting farmers with advanced technologies and scientific guidance.