Jaipur, Oct. 31 -- Over 6.65 million farming families in the state were among the over 93.4 million nationwide beneficiaries who received a cumulative Rs.1,335 crore in their bank accounts as part of the Rs.18,690-crore disbursal of the 24th instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) on Friday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the instalment at an event at Gujarat's Banaskantha, where he also dedicated many development projects to the nation and launched new initiatives. State chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma joined the event virtually from his residence in Jaipur. Sharma said that since the launch of the PM-Kisan scheme in 2019, farmers in Rajasthan had received overRs.29,099 crore through 23 instalments. Nationwide, over Rs.4.47 lakh crore had been transferred to farmers under the scheme so far, he said. Addressing the event, Modi said the Centre had prioritised farmers' welfare and empowerment, with the agriculture budget increasing more than fivefold compared with 2013-14.He said farmers had received or saved nearly Rs.50 lakh crore through various government policies over the past 12 years.He also mentioned other agricultural initiatives, saying the Centre had transferred Rs.24 lakh crore to wheat and paddy farmers through minimum support price (MSP) procurement and provided Rs.2 lakh crore in crop compensation under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana. Under the PM-Kusum scheme, around 120,000 solar pumps had been provided to farmers to reduce irrigation costs and dependence on diesel, he said. Modi also cited the distribution of more than 26 crore Soil Health Cards, the introduction of 3,000 new seed varieties suited to changing weather conditions and the administration of 150 crore animal vaccinations under disease-prevention programmes. He said India's milk production had increased significantly, with average daily milk yield per cow or buffalo rising from less than five litres in 2013-14 to nearly eight litres. India had also emerged as the world's largest milk producer, he said. The Prime Minister also lauded the growth of fisheries and beekeeping, saying India had become the world's second-largest exporter of natural honey. He urged people to participate in the Run for Unity on October 31 to mark the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and reaffirm their commitment to a united and developed India....