Farmers in Nagaland to get benefit of PM-KMY

Two farmers working on their terrace paddy field somewhere in Nagaland. (Morung File Photo) 

Kohima, September 12 (MExN): Minister for Agriculture, G. Aye launched the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana (PM-KMY) scheme in the State capital at the Conference Hall, Directorate of Agriculture on September 12.

A DIPR report stated that, while launching the PM-KMY, Minister Kaito Aye said that Nagaland has about 1,95,784 farmers registered under PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, and that these farmers may opt for the PM-KMY scheme also. He further said that this scheme will benefit the State farmers when they grow old, but it will also encourage and boost them morally to work harder when they are young and active, which will in turn, boost the state's agricultural sector. He urged the departments work sincerely in registering the farmers of the State. 

In her short speech, Principal Secretary & APC, N. Hushili Sema, IAS said that this scheme is a very important scheme for small and marginal farmers which will sustain them at their old age. She asked the people working in the Department to make it their duty to not only sustain the farmers, but also to aggressively pursue monitoring the district, sub-district, and village level blocks for sensitizing, and for wide publicity in order to encourage the famers. She also mentioned that this scheme will benefit the cultivators in the village in the long run.

Hushili Sema she asked the departments to transparently pursue this scheme and to ensure visibility, so as to achieve the highest potential which will help in the growth of the Department as well as the agricultural sector of the State. Quality performance is essential for the advancement of the State, she added.

In his welcome address, Additional Director, S. Kivikhu Achumi said that the Government of India (GOI) launched this scheme since August 9, 2019. He said that the State Government has conducted sensitization programme and the Department has initiated camping and melas at the district and sub-division levels for awareness of the scheme. The registration of beneficiaries will begin as soon as the Central Government sends the details of the internet portal for the Scheme.

State Nodal Officer, PM-KMY, L. Hangshing mentioned that the status of PM-KMY is an age old pension scheme introduced by GoI for all small and marginal farmers in the country as a voluntary and contributory pension scheme for the entry age group of 18-40 years. The objective and benefits of this scheme is to create a social security for the farmers during old age. He also added that the subscriber/farmer will get an assured monthly pension of Rs. 3000 on attaining the age of 60 years.

Some of the key features of this scheme are: this scheme is launched in partnership with Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), which will be the Pension Fund manager and responsible for pension pay out, it is a voluntary and periodic contribution and can opt for contribution from the financial benefits received by them from the PM-Kisan Scheme, the Ministry shall contribute an equal amount as contributed by the eligible subscriber, etc.
The programme was chaired by Director of Agriculture, M Ben Yanthan.