AI chatbot for PM-Kisan scheme

• The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare launched an AI chatbot — the first of its kind to be integrated with a major flagship scheme of the central government — for the PM-KISAN scheme.
• It has been developed and improved with the support of EkStep foundation and Bhashini.
• The introduction of the AI Chatbot in the PM-KISAN grievance management system is aimed at empowering farmers with a user-friendly and accessible platform.
• The chatbot is currently available in English, Hindi, Bengali, Odia and Tamil, and will soon be available in all 22 official languages of the country.

ABOUT PRADHAN MANTRI KISAN SAMMAN NIDHI (PM-KISAN) SCHEME

• PM-KISAN is a central sector scheme launched in February 2019 to support the financial needs of land-holding farmers in India.
• The scheme offers an annual financial benefit of Rs 6,000/- in three equal instalments to eligible farmers’ families through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode.
• Since its inception, over Rs. 2.61 Lakhs Crores disbursed to more than 11 Crore farmers so far, it stands as one of the largest DBT schemes globally.
• The scheme has played a vital role in providing income support to landholder farmer families across the country with cultivable land.