PM-KISAN SCHEME (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Government Schemes)

Context: The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare recently introduced an AI chatbot, the first of its kind to be integrated with a major flagship scheme of the central government, the PM-KISAN scheme.

• The ministry said in a statement that the AI chatbot launch marks a “significant” step towards enhancing the efficiency and reach of the PM-KISAN scheme, while providing the farmers with “prompt, clear and accurate” responses to their queries.

PM-KISAN Scheme

• About: This Scheme is a Central Sector Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) Scheme. 
• Launch: February 2019 (made effective from December 2018) to give income support to farmers.
• Funding: 100% funding of rupee 6000 in 3 installments.
• Implemented by: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare.
• Purpose: The scheme is meant to provide income support to all landholding farmer’s families across the country and enable them to meet expenses related to agriculture as well as domestic needs.
• Beneficiaries: Farmer families rest with the State / UT Governments.

AI Chatbot

• About: It will assist farmers in seeking information related to their application status, payment details, ineligibility status and other scheme-related updates
• Developed by: EkStep foundation and Bhashini
• Language Available: English, Hindi, Bengali, Odia and Tamil
• Aim: Empowering farmers with a user-friendly and accessible platform