As farmers from Chungtia and Khensa shared positive feedback on the PM Kisan Scheme, highlighting its impact on their livelihoods, Deputy District Agriculture Officer (Dy DAO) Maongsangla in a conversation with Mokokchung Times explained that the scheme is specifically targeted towards small and marginal farmers.
She emphasized that the scheme is not applicable to job holders and pensioners and urged citizens to refrain from registration if they do not meet the eligibility criteria. The registration process, which previously took place at Community Service Centers, has undergone changes due to an increasing number of ineligible registrations, she explained.
“Due to the linkage with Aadhar, false information can now be easily identified. Consequently, the center has ruled out ineligible registrations and has been urging beneficiaries to refund any funds received,” stated Deputy DAO Maongsangla.
Farmers are now required to visit the office, accompanied by a signature from the Village Council, to ensure the legitimacy of their applications. The Deputy DAO explained, “We request Village Councils to maintain lists of beneficiaries, strike out the deceased and ineligible applicants, and accept new applicants only with approval from the Village Councils.”
The main challenges faced in the implementation of the PM Kisan Scheme, according to the Deputy DAO, include misinformation, deceit, and occasional ignorance. While genuine cases exist, such as individuals who were farmers when the scheme started in 2019 but are now employed, instances of students enrolling solely for financial benefits have been noted.
“Due to awareness creation, such misuse has reduced; however, I still want to appeal to villages not to enroll students as it may impact even their scholarship opportunities,” added the Deputy DAO.
According to a report provided by the Deputy DAO, under Mokokchung Sadar, a total of 1039 farmers have been newly registered for the PM Kisan scheme. 150 from Kobulong block, 243 from Ongpangkong North and 646 from Ongpangkong South.
In addition to the PM Kisan Scheme, Maongsangla highlighted the ongoing implementation of other agricultural schemes, including the National Food Security Mission (NFSM) and the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY). The NFSM, launched in 2007, focuses on sustainable crop production, soil fertility restoration, and increased farm-level net income. PMKSY, initiated in 2015, aims to expand cultivated areas with assured irrigation and improve water use efficiency.
Currently, PMKSY is being implemented in Ungma Village, with previous implementations in Longpa and Yimchalu, changing on a rotation basis.