In 2025, Indian farmers have access to a robust portfolio of government schemes aimed at boosting income, reducing risks, supporting infrastructure, and promoting sustainable agriculture. These initiatives cover direct income support, credit, insurance, mechanization, and more. Understanding eligibility, benefits, and the application process is key to leveraging these opportunities effectively.
Introduction
The Government of India continues to expand its farmer welfare programs to address climate risks, rising input costs, and income variability. In 2025, new schemes like the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana join long-standing initiatives such as PM-KISAN, PMFBY, and the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund. This guide provides a clear overview of the top schemes, including eligibility, benefits, and application steps.
Key Central Government Schemes for Farmers
1. PM-KISAN (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi)
A flagship direct income support scheme.
-
Eligibility: All landholding farmers. Certain exclusion criteria apply (e.g., institutional landowners).
-
Benefit: ₹6,000 per year, paid in three equal instalments of ₹2,000 directly into the beneficiary’s bank account.
-
Application: Register through the PM-KISAN portal or at Common Service Centres (CSCs). Aadhaar and bank account linkage is mandatory.
2. PMFBY (Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana)
A crop insurance scheme protecting against yield loss from natural calamities, pests, and diseases.
-
Eligibility: Farmers growing notified crops in notified areas.
-
Benefit: Comprehensive insurance at a low premium (2% for Kharif, 1.5% for Rabi crops); the remainder is paid by the government. Timely compensation is provided for crop failure.
-
Application: Enroll through banks, insurance companies, or the agriculture department during the specified enrollment period before sowing.
3. Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF)
A fund to build post-harvest management and value-addition infrastructure.
-
Eligibility: Farmers, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Agri-entrepreneurs, and start-ups.
-
Benefit: Credit support with a partial interest subsidy for establishing facilities like cold storage, warehouses, and processing units.
-
Application: Submit a project proposal via the AIF portal or through district-level nodal offices.
4. PM-Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana (PM-KMY)
A pension scheme providing social security for small and marginal farmers.
-
Eligibility: Farmers between 18 to 40 years of age who enroll voluntarily.
-
Benefit: A guaranteed monthly pension of ₹3,000 upon reaching 60 years of age, after making small, fixed contributions during their working years.
-
Application: Register through the PM-KMY portal or designated centers, often linked with PM-KISAN registration.
5. Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY)
A new 2025 initiative to boost agricultural productivity in low-yielding districts.
-
Eligibility: Farmers in selected low-productivity districts.
-
Benefit: Convergence of multiple schemes, along with focused credit and subsidy support for pulses and food grains infrastructure.
-
Application: Eligibility is determined via district-level planning; farmers apply through state agriculture departments.
6. National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF)
Promotes chemical-free, traditional farming practices.
-
Eligibility: Farmers willing to adopt natural farming methods, typically in cluster-based approaches.
-
Benefit: Training, inputs (bio-fertilizers, compost), and financial assistance to support the transition.
-
Application: Register via state agriculture departments or dedicated natural farming programs.
Comparison Table: Major Central Schemes at a Glance
| Scheme Name | Eligibility / Target Group | Key Benefit Offered |
|---|---|---|
| PM-KISAN | Landholding farmers | ₹6,000 per year in three instalments |
| PMFBY | Farmers of notified crops | Crop insurance with low premium & compensation |
| AIF | Farmers, FPOs, Agri-entrepreneurs | Credit + interest subsidy for agri-infrastructure |
| PM-KMY | Farmers aged 18-40 | ₹3,000/month pension after age 60 |
| PMDDKY | Farmers in low-productivity districts | Converged support for food grains & pulses |
Other Important Initiatives
NABARD & State-Led Schemes
These schemes support mechanization, market infrastructure, and FPO development.
-
Eligibility: Farmers, FPOs, Cooperatives, Agribusinesses.
-
Benefit: Subsidies or soft credit for tractors, harvesters, post-harvest units, and market infrastructure.
-
Application: Apply through NABARD or state agricultural/cooperative departments.
Animal Husbandry & Dairy Sector Schemes
For livestock and dairy farmers, key schemes include:
-
Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM): Focuses on indigenous cattle breed improvement.
-
National Livestock Mission (NLM): Supports overall livestock development, fodder, and health.
-
Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF): Credit support for dairy and meat processing infrastructure.
-
Dairy Infrastructure Development Fund (DIDF): Aids in expanding dairy processing capacity.
Major State-Specific Schemes
Many states run complementary welfare programs:
-
Telangana: Rythu Bandhu – Investment support of ₹10,000 per acre per year.
-
West Bengal: Krishak Bandhu – Annual grant and financial assistance in case of the farmer’s death.
-
Chhattisgarh: Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay – Direct income support for various crops.
How to Access These Schemes: A Step-by-Step Guide
-
Visit Local Offices: Contact your local Agriculture Department or Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) for information on state-level implementation.
-
Check Online Portals: Use official portals like PM-KISAN, AIF, and your state’s agriculture website for registration and application status.
-
Use Common Service Centres (CSCs): CSCs can assist with online registration, form submission, and document uploads.
-
Update Documents: Ensure your bank account is linked with Aadhaar and that land records are updated and digitized.
-
Form/Join FPOs: Become part of a Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) to access schemes designed for group applications and larger benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Can tenant farmers benefit from PM-KISAN?
A: Some states allow tenant farmers and sharecroppers to enroll if they can provide supporting legal agreements or are recorded as cultivators in state records.
Q2. What is the maximum credit limit under the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) in 2025?
A: In the 2025 budget, the Kisan Credit Card loan limit has been increased to ₹5 lakh per holder.
Q3. Is there specific support for setting up cold storage?
A: Yes. The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) provides significant credit and interest subvention for building post-harvest infrastructure, including cold storage chains.
Conclusion
In 2025, Indian farmers have access to diverse government support spanning income, insurance, infrastructure, pensions, and sustainable farming. The key to maximizing these benefits is to proactively check eligibility and apply through the correct channels. By effectively utilizing a mix of central and state schemes, farmers can significantly boost income security, mitigate risks, and build a resilient and profitable agricultural enterprise. Stay informed by regularly checking with your state agriculture department and official central scheme portals.
