National Schemes On The Ground : Farmers Perspective On Government Support In Virudhunagar

This research explores the grassroots implementation of national agricultural development programs in Virudhunagar, a district in southern Tamil Nadu characterized by semi-arid conditions and a high reliance on dryland farming. By investigating the "on-the-ground" reality of flagship central schemes—most notably the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN), the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), and the Soil Health Card (SHC) initiative—the study evaluates how national policy interventions align with the lived experiences and socio-economic constraints of local farmers. The findings indicate a mixed reception of these initiatives. While the direct benefit transfers provided under PM-KISAN have been widely praised for offering a critical financial safety net that helps cover immediate input costs like seeds and fertilizers, significant hurdles remain regarding more technical schemes. In the case of PMKSY, the study reveals that high capital requirements for micro-irrigation systems and the complexity of the subsidy application process often exclude marginal farmers, despite the desperate need for water conservation in this drought-prone region. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the Soil Health Card scheme is frequently limited by a lack of follow-up extension services, leaving many farmers with technical data they cannot easily translate into better agricultural practices. A central theme emerging from the research is the "digital and administrative divide." Many farmers in Virudhunagar express frustration with the bureaucratic delays and the technological literacy required to navigate online registration portals and Aadhaar-linked verification. The study concludes that while national schemes have significantly improved financial stability, their transformative potential is currently hampered by top-down administrative bottlenecks. It recommends a more decentralized approach that empowers local Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), simplifies the digital interface for subsidy access, and integrates local traditional knowledge with central scientific directives to ensure sustainable agricultural growth in the region.