India is an agrarian economy, and the government consistently launches schemes to support farmers’ income, provide financial assistance, enhance crop production, ensure irrigation facilities, and promote sustainable practices. Below is a detailed list of the major government schemes for farmers with their objectives, benefits, and eligibility details.
| Scheme | Year / Launch | Objective / Purpose | Benefits / Key Features | Eligibility / Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) | 2019 | To provide income support to small & marginal farmers | ₹6,000/year (in 3 installments) deposited via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into farmer’s bank account (pib.gov.in) | Landholding farmer, subject to exclusions (defaulters, high-income, etc.) (pib.gov.in) |
| Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) | 2016 | Crop insurance to protect farmers against natural calamities, pests, diseases | Covers pre-sowing to post-harvest risks; reduced premium; claim settlement support (en.wikipedia.org) | All farmers growing notified crops in notified areas; scheme made voluntary for non-loanee farmers (en.wikipedia.org) |
| Pradhan Mantri Kisan MaanDhan Yojana (PM-KMY / PM Kisan Maandhan) | 2019 | Pension support for small & marginal farmers in their old age | On attaining age 60, receive monthly pension (₹3,000) (pib.gov.in) | Farmers aged between 18–40, small & marginal, meeting scheme criteria (pib.gov.in) |
| Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) | ~2015 | To enhance irrigation coverage and improve water use efficiency | Subsidies/support for micro-irrigation, watershed development, “More Crop per Drop” initiative (agriwelfare.gov.in) | Available to farmers willing to adopt micro-irrigation, states implementing projects (agriwelfare.gov.in) |
| Soil Health Card Scheme | 2015 | To promote soil testing and balanced fertilizer use | Farmers receive cards with crop-wise soil nutrient recommendations (en.wikipedia.org) | Farmers whose land is sampled; states / agricultural departments coordinate sampling (en.wikipedia.org) |
| Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) | 2019 (launched) | To promote solar-powered irrigation and decentralized solar power | Subsidy (≈ 60%) for solar pumps, solarizing existing pumps, revenue from selling surplus power (en.wikipedia.org) | Farmers, panchayats, cooperatives eligible; meeting technical & regulatory requirements (en.wikipedia.org) |
| Interest Subvention / Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS) | Ongoing | To reduce interest burden on agricultural loans | Concessional interest rates / subsidized interest on short-term crop loans (pib.gov.in) | Farmers taking short-term crop loans through banks/cooperatives (pib.gov.in) |
| Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) | Launched earlier (2007) | To encourage states to invest in agriculture & allied sectors | Central funds matched by states; supports infrastructure, extension, inputs etc. (indiansugar.com) | Projects by state/districts; farmers benefit via state-level programs (indiansugar.com) |
| National Mission on Oilseeds & Oil Palm (NMOOP) | — | To boost domestic production of oilseeds & oil palm | Subsidies, support for planting, inputs, extension services (igod.gov.in) | Farmers engaged in oilseeds / oil palm crops in target areas (igod.gov.in) |
| Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) | — | To promote organic farming using traditional / natural inputs | Support for cluster-based organic farming, certification assistance (Testbook) | Farmers who commit to organic practices in designated clusters (Testbook) |
| National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM) | — | To promote beekeeping for income diversification | Subsidies, training, inputs for beekeeping units (Testbook) | Farmers / entrepreneurs interested in beekeeping (Testbook) |
1.Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM‑KISAN)
Launch Year: 2019
Objective: To provide income support to small and marginal farmers.
Benefits: ₹6,000 per year provided in three equal installments directly to farmers’ bank accounts.
Eligibility: Landholding farmers are eligible. Certain high-income groups are excluded.
2. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)
Launch Year: 2016
Objective: To provide crop insurance against natural calamities, pests, and diseases.
Benefits: Coverage from pre-sowing to post-harvest losses with affordable premiums.
Eligibility: Voluntary for all farmers growing notified crops in notified areas.
3. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana (PM‑KMY)
Launch Year: 2019
Objective: To provide old-age pension to small and marginal farmers.
Benefits: Pension of ₹3,000 per month after 60 years of age.
Eligibility: Farmers aged 18–40 years, subject to contribution requirements.
4.Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY)
Launch Year: 2015
Objective: To enhance irrigation coverage and water-use efficiency.
Benefits: Subsidies for micro-irrigation, watershed development, and “More Crop per Drop” initiatives.
Eligibility: Farmers adopting micro-irrigation systems.
5. Soil Health Card Scheme
Launch Year: 2015
Objective: To improve soil health and promote balanced fertilizer use.
Benefits: Farmers receive soil health cards with nutrient recommendations for crops.
Eligibility: Available to farmers whose soil samples are collected.
6.Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM‑KUSUM)
Launch Year: 2019
Objective: To promote solar energy use in agriculture.
Benefits: Subsidies for solar pumps and income generation from selling surplus solar power.
Eligibility: Farmers, cooperatives, and panchayats meeting technical criteria.
7. Interest Subvention Scheme (ISS) / Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS)
Objective: To reduce interest burden on farmers taking crop loans.
Benefits: Subsidized interest rates on short-term agricultural loans.
Eligibility: Farmers availing crop loans through banks and cooperatives.
8. Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)
Launch Year: 2007
Objective: To encourage states to increase investment in agriculture.
Benefits: Central assistance to states for infrastructure, inputs, and extension services.
Eligibility: Farmers benefit indirectly via state-level projects.
9. National Mission on Oilseeds & Oil Palm (NMOOP)
Objective: To increase production of oilseeds and oil palm.
Benefits: Subsidies for planting material, inputs, and extension activities.
Eligibility: Farmers growing oilseeds and oil palm.
10.Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)
Objective: To promote organic farming using traditional practices.
Benefits: Support for cluster-based organic farming and certification.
Eligibility: Farmers willing to adopt organic practices.
11. National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM)
Objective: To promote beekeeping for income diversification.
Benefits: Training, subsidies, and support for beekeeping infrastructure.
Eligibility: Farmers and entrepreneurs interested in beekeeping.
Important State-Level Schemes
- Rythu Bandhu (Telangana): Provides ₹5,000 per acre per season for input costs.
- Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana (Madhya Pradesh): Government pays farmers the difference if the market price falls below MSP.
Conclusion
These government schemes are designed to support farmers’ income, reduce risks, and promote sustainable agriculture. Farmers can benefit greatly by staying updated with these initiatives and applying through their state agriculture departments, banks, or official online portals. Together, these schemes aim to strengthen the agricultural backbone of India.