9 Most Popular Central Government Schemes for Farmers in India
The central government of India runs schemes and programs for the welfare of farmers to produce sufficient crops or grains. The governmental schemes aim to provide seeds, fertilizers, irrigation, and other farming equipment at low cost. A Central Government Scheme is an initiative that is implemented and monitored by the central government. Typically, this program aim to give advantages and encourage Indian farmers to cultivate more yields. Moreover, this scheme consists personal growth of the farmers and to contributes the country’s economy.
As well as the schemes of agriculture are also run by the state government according to their goals but it may vary depending on the state government’s policies. In India, the government mainly focuses on improving the infrastructure for farmers, enhancing rural development, promoting job creation in the agriculture industry, and providing sufficient funding to the farmers.
Benefits of the Central Government Schemes for Farmers in India
Here are the key benefits of government schemes
•Government initiatives are required to provide the farmers with a higher, more stable standard of living. Farmers from lower-income communities can obtain startup financing with their assistance.
•Government agricultural programs in India assist farmers in strategically planning and arranging their farming operations. Farmers receive professional support, advice, and guidance on farming practices that result in high-quality output.
•There is one of the major programs run by the central and state governments on radio and television, like Krishi Darshan. The program aims to provide the right way of farming.
•The Government schemes provide an easy way to get credit for farming at a low rate of interest. Government schemes protect the farmers from fraud loan traps.
•Crop insurance programs assist farmers in lowering agricultural hazards. They have the right to reimbursement for losses brought on by illness, flooding, or other unexpected occurrences.
•Farm tools and equipment such as solar pumps, rotavators, and many more are available at lower rates through several programs. Farms can easily purchase modern machinery and integrate farm mechanization into their operations with the help of subsidies.
Top 9 Central Government Agriculture Schemes for Farmers in India
1. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, or PM-KISAN is one of the well-known government agriculture programs in India. Which aims to provide large amounts of money to the marginal and small-scale farmers. It was introduced in 2019 with the intention of providing Indian farmers the money they require to meet their basic farming requirements.
Benefits
- The main aim of this scheme is to support the farmers with the amount of INR 6000 annually.
- Every four months, the farmers receive a payment of INR 2000 in three equal installments directly into their account.
Eligibility
According to State or UT land records, any farmer with up to two hectares of land is eligible.
Target Group
This scheme is for small and marginal land-holder farmers.
Where to Apply
2. Pradhan Mantri Kisan MaanDhan Yojana (PM-KMY)
The government of India introduced the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan-Dhan Yojana (PM-KMY), a pension plan. The Ministry of Labor and Employment controlled its operations.
Benefits
- This scheme has been launched, to provide a continuous income that farmers even when they are not able to work in fields.
- In this scheme, eligible farmers can get a pension of Rs. 3,000 per month after the age of 60 years old.
- Additionally, If the eligible farmer dies due to any reason, then the spouse is also eligible for a pension.
Eligibility
This scheme is applicable to small and marginal farmers, who hold up to 2 hectares as well as the eligible farmers who are not enrolled with any other type of pension scheme.
Target Group
The farmers between the age of 18 to 40 years will be beneficiaries.
Where to Apply
3. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)
In India, due to the loss of yields thousands of farmers commit suicide every year. In order to tackle this problem, the central government introduced the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) in 2016. This agricultural program, which is based on crop insurance, aims to provide farmers with risk prevention and financial support in the event that their crops are destroyed or suffer damage from pests, illnesses, or natural disasters. It aims to protect farmers from the financial burden brought on by crop losses and to ensure the stability of the agricultural industry as a whole.
Benefits
- This government scheme has a yield covers plan for the farmers including crops, oilseeds, and annual commercial/horticultural crops.
- PMFBY schemes is to tackle the hassle such as drought, floods, cyclones, pests, diseases, and so on as well as from sowing to harvest.
- Costs associated with crop insurance premiums are split between the government and farmers. The government subsidizes farmers’ premiums in order to lower the cost of and increase access to insurance.
Eligibility
Farmers who are eligible for financial institution loans for seasonal agricultural operations (SAO) may submit an application.
Target Audience
Small-scale and marginal farmers
Where to Apply
4. Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS)
Another well-known central government program for Indian farmers, the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS) was introduced in 2006–07 and aims to offer short-term loans at low rates of interest. It aims to lower the incidence of farmer suicide in Idaho brought on by overkill interest rates or a lack of finance.
Benefits
- According to this scheme, farmers can get a loan amount of up to 3 Lakhs at low rate of interest 7%.
- Farmers can get an incentive of 3% if they pay all the due amount before tenure ends.
- This scheme is also available for animal husbandry, dairy, poultry, and fisheries.
Eligibility
Farmers can take advantage, of those who are related to small-scale farming or services.
Target Audience
All the farmers of India, who is associated with small and marginal farming.
Where to Apply
With the help of authorized public sector banks, private sector banks, small finance banks, regional rural banks, cooperative banks, and computerized primary agricultural credit societies (PACS), farmers can apply for the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS).
5. Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF)
Launched in July 2020, the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) is a central government program established by the Union Cabinet. This program allows farmers to apply for medium- to long-term farming loans for a range of purposes, including infrastructure construction and post-harvest management.
Benefits
- This scheme offers up to INR 2 crores loan amount for 7 years to the farmers.
- This loan offers a subsidy of 3% interest on all the loans.
- A 9% ROI cap is also given to beneficiaries.
Eligibility
Farmers who are associated with vertical, hydroponic, mushroom, and polyhouse farming.
Target Audience
This scheme is available for, Agri-entrepreneurs, self-help groups like joint liability groups, and many more people associated with farming.
Where to Apply
https://agriinfra.dac.gov.in/Home/BeneficiaryRegistration
6. Formation and Promotion of 10,000 new Farmer (FPOs)
The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) is in charge of managing the Government of Central Government scheme, which is called Formation and Promotion of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). Along with the assistance of nine authorized Operational Agencies, the program works to support and encourage farmers.
Benefits
- Interested farmers and organizations are allowed to take advantage of this financial support scheme as well as equity grants and credit facilities.
- This initiative offers an equity award of INR 2,000 to each farming member, up to a maximum of fifteen lakh per FPO, and credit up to INR 18 Lakh per FPO for three years.
- This scheme also consists of credit guarantee facilities of up to Rs. 2 crores per FPO.
Eligibility
Registered FPOs can avail of this scheme.
Target Audience
The scheme is for farmer groups, small-scale farmers, cooperatives, and other entities involved in agriculture.
Where to Apply
The program can be obtained via the designated Implementing Agencies (IAs) like NABARD, SFAC, NCDC.
7. National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM)
The National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM) was founded by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare with the intention of advancing commercial beekeeping in India. It’s an attempt to bring up a “Sweet Revolution” in India by offering farmers who practice beekeeping sufficient support and direction.
Benefits
- This scheme offers to get financial support, and awareness to the beneficiaries about modern beekeeping techniques, subsidiaries, and markets.
- This scheme claims 100% financial support for the public sector and 50% of the total set-up cost up to INR 3 Lakh per venture.
- Benefits for bee breeders might total up to Rs. 5 lakhs per initiative.
- The creation of regional research centers has allotted INR 750 lakhs to each IBDC.
- Testing lab setup costs up to Rupees 800.00 lakhs per lab, whereas district-level testing lab costs up to Rupees 100.00 lakhs per lab.
- For a group of women INR 20,000/- per women.
Eligibility
Eligibility varies according to the category. For example, in order to receive the relevant incentives, women’s groups must employ women from SC/ST categories, and bee breeders must be able to oversee at least 2000 high-quality colonies annually.
Target Audience
Farmers, cooperatives, FPOs, self-help groups, and business owners engaged in scientific beekeeping and associated endeavors.
Where to Apply
https://nbb.gov.in/default.html
8. Implementation of Market Intervention Scheme
The Price Support Scheme (PSS) and Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) are designed to provide farmers a chance to earn a fair price for their products. It works with horticulture and perishable goods.
Benefits
- The goal of this scheme is to provide possible price support.
- The scheme ensures the stability of income to the farmers.
- The scheme has covers plans to reduce the hassle of crops like black pepper, ginger, red chillies, apple, garlic coriander seeds, and clove.
Eligibility
- The Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) and Price Support Scheme (PSS) depend on the specific scheme and guidance.
- This scheme relies on a minimum increase or decrease of 10% in the crop rates.
Target Audience
Farmers of India, growers, and producers of perishable and horticultural commodities can take advantage.
9. Namo Drone Didi
Prime Minister Narender Modi announced the Namo Drone Didi scheme with the goal of empowering women in rural India. Under this program, women farmers receive drones from the central government to assist them with tasks like seeding, crop monitoring, and fertilizer application.
Benefits
- This scheme is especially for women with a subsidy of 80% of total drone cost up to INR 8 Lakh.
- AIF offers an affordable loan with an interest rate of 3%.
- Training to operate the drones.
- The use of drones can enable women’s self-help groups to earn Rs. one lakh annually.
Eligibility
Active members of self-help groups are eligible.
Target Audience
Women who belong to Self Help Groups (SHGs) in rural areas.
Where to Apply