PM Kisan Yojana: Central Government Schemes for Farmers

India is an agriculture-based country, and farmers form the backbone of our economy. To increase farmers’ income, simplify farming, and integrate modern technology in agriculture, the central government has launched several schemes over time. These schemes aim to increase farmers’ income, reduce risks, and promote sustainable farming.

In this blog, we will explore Pradhan Mantri Kisan Yojana and other important central government schemes for farmers in detail.

1. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) is a flagship central government scheme launched in December 2018 to support small and marginal farmers. Under this scheme, farmers receive ₹6,000 per year as direct financial support, transferred straight to their bank accounts through DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer). The amount is disbursed in three installments of ₹2,000 each, helping farmers manage day-to-day expenses like seeds, fertilizers, and other farm inputs.

The scheme is aimed primarily at farmers who own up to 2 hectares of land, and the registration process is simple, requiring basic documents such as Aadhaar, landholding details, and a bank account. Farmers can register through their village Panchayats, online portals, or through local government offices. https://pmkisan.gov.in/

Benefits:

1. Provides immediate financial support to farmers.
2. Reduces dependency on informal loans or moneylenders.
3. Helps in buying seeds, fertilizers, or paying labor costs.

PM-KISAN has reached millions of farmers across India and ensures financial stability during crop seasons, especially during adverse situations like droughts or floods. It is a significant step toward improving farmer welfare and increasing agricultural productivity.

2. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)

The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is a crop insurance scheme launched in 2016 to protect farmers against losses due to natural calamities like drought, floods, hailstorms, pests, or diseases. Under this scheme, farmers pay a nominal premium – 2% for Kharif crops and 1.5% for Rabi crops – while the government bears the remaining cost of the premium.

The scheme covers a wide range of crops, including cereals, pulses, oilseeds, horticulture, and commercial crops. In the event of crop failure, the farmer receives prompt compensation, ensuring financial stability. Enrollment is simple and can be done online, through banks, or at local agricultural offices. https://pmfby.gov.in/

Key benefits:

1. Reduces the financial burden of crop loss.
2. Encourages farmers to adopt modern agricultural practices without fear of loss.
3. Promotes stability in farm income, improving rural livelihoods.

PMFBY has helped millions of farmers across India to manage risk effectively and prevent financial distress, making it one of the most crucial schemes for agricultural risk management.

3. Kisan Credit Card (KCC) and Interest Subvention / Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (ISS/MISS)

The Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme provides farmers with short-term credit for agricultural needs, including seeds, fertilizers, equipment, and working capital. It allows easy access to loans at subsidized interest rates. With timely repayment, farmers can also avail of interest subvention under ISS or MISS schemes, reducing interest by 2-3%.

KCC is available to small, marginal, and tenant farmers and can also cover allied activities such as livestock, poultry, and fisheries. Loans are provided by banks and cooperative institutions, and farmers can repay them as per crop cycles.

Benefits:

1. Easy access to low-cost loans.
2. Reduces dependency on informal moneylenders.
3. Promotes investment in modern farming practices.

The scheme ensures that farmers have timely credit without financial stress. Over the years, KCC has become an essential financial tool for millions of Indian farmers to increase productivity, adopt technology, and improve their income.

4. Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF)

The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) supports farmers, farmer-producer organizations, cooperatives, and agri-entrepreneurs to build post-harvest infrastructure. It includes cold storage, warehouses, silos, and packaging units, which help in reducing post-harvest losses and improving marketability.

Farmers can avail loans for up to 10 years at subsidized interest rates, and part of the loan may be guaranteed by the government. This scheme encourages private investment in agricultural infrastructure, helping farmers store and sell produce at optimal prices.

Benefits:

1. Prevents post-harvest losses.
2. Improves income by enabling better storage and marketing.
3. Encourages modern infrastructure in rural areas.

The scheme empowers farmers to adopt long-term planning, reduces reliance on middlemen, and ensures that high-quality produce reaches markets efficiently, making agriculture more profitable.

5. Formation & Promotion of 10,000 FPOs (Farmer Producer Organizations)

The government aims to form 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) to empower small and marginal farmers. FPOs are collective organizations where farmers pool resources, access credit, and sell produce directly to markets.

FPOs help farmers gain economies of scale, reduce dependency on middlemen, and improve bargaining power. The government provides support for capacity building, registration, infrastructure, and market linkages. Farmers can also access modern storage and transport facilities.

Benefits:

1. Increased income through collective bargaining.
2. Better access to credit and government schemes.
3. Easier adoption of modern technology and mechanization.

FPOs are transforming the way farmers operate, helping them achieve sustainable profits and stronger market connections.

6. Soil Health Card Scheme

The Soil Health Card (SHC) scheme aims to analyze soil fertility and provide farmers with a card detailing nutrient content. It recommends the type and quantity of fertilizers needed for optimum crop production.

Farmers can submit soil samples at local centers, and results are delivered through SHC, usually covering macronutrients and micronutrients. This helps farmers use fertilizers efficiently, reduce costs, and improve soil quality over time.

Benefits:

1. Promotes balanced use of fertilizers.
2. Reduces input costs and increases crop yields.
3. Encourages sustainable farming practices.

The SHC scheme is crucial for modern, science-based agriculture, helping farmers make informed decisions about soil and crop management.

7. Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY)

PMKSY, or the “Har Khet Ko Pani” scheme, aims to improve irrigation facilities across India. The program supports drip and sprinkler irrigation, small water storage structures, and watershed development.

Farmers receive financial assistance for installing efficient irrigation systems, which reduces water wastage and improves crop productivity. The scheme also includes training and support to adopt water-saving technologies.

Benefits:

1. Efficient water management for agriculture.
2. Increased crop yields due to timely irrigation.
3. Reduced input costs and sustainable water use.

PMKSY ensures that even water-scarce regions can achieve better crop production, making Indian agriculture more resilient.

8. e-NAM (National Agriculture Market)

e-NAM is an online trading platform connecting farmers with buyers across India. Farmers can list their produce and receive transparent market-driven prices.

The platform allows bidding, price discovery, and direct sales to buyers, reducing the role of intermediaries. It also provides digital payment and logistics support, making transactions simple and efficient. https://enam.gov.in/web/

Benefits:

1. Access to national markets.
2. Better price realization for produce.
3. Reduced dependency on local middlemen.

e-NAM is modernizing agricultural marketing, empowering farmers to sell their produce fairly and profitably.

9. Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)

PKVY promotes organic farming to improve soil health and crop quality. Farmers are provided training, inputs, and certification support to adopt traditional and sustainable agricultural practices.

The scheme emphasizes chemical-free farming, encouraging crop rotation, composting, and natural pest management. Certified organic produce fetches higher prices in markets.

Benefits:

1. Sustainable agriculture and soil conservation.
2. Premium prices for organic crops.
3. Reduced environmental impact of chemical inputs.

PKVY helps farmers transition to eco-friendly farming, improving long-term productivity and income.

10. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan-Dhan Yojana (PM-KMY)

PM-KMY is a pension scheme for farmers, providing ₹3,000 per month after the age of 60. Farmers aged 18-40 can contribute small premiums to secure future income.

The scheme ensures financial stability in old age and complements other farmer welfare schemes. Contributions are flexible and affordable for small and marginal farmers- https://csc.gov.in/pmkmy

Benefits:

1. Financial security in old age.
2. Encourages long-term savings.
3. Protects farmers from income uncertainty post-retirement.

PM-KMY is a step toward social security for farmers, enhancing their confidence in planning for the future.

11. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM)

PM-KUSUM is a government initiative aimed at promoting solar energy in agriculture. It helps farmers install solar pumps, solar panels, and decentralized solar power plants, reducing dependency on conventional electricity or diesel pumps. Farmers can also sell extra electricity to the grid, creating an additional income source.

The scheme targets small and marginal farmers, providing financial support and subsidies for both installation and operation. It includes three components: standalone solar pumps, grid-connected solar pumps, and grid-connected solar power plants on barren or cultivable land.

Benefits:

1. Reduces energy costs for irrigation.
2. Provides additional income through the sale of surplus power.
3. Promotes sustainable and clean energy in agriculture.

PM-KUSUM empowers farmers to adopt modern technology and renewable energy, increasing productivity while reducing environmental impact.

12. PM Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)

Launched in 2020, PMMSY focuses on fisheries development and aims to double fish production and increase fishermen’s income. It provides support for aquaculture, cold storage, processing units, and marketing infrastructure.

The scheme targets fish farmers, coastal communities, and inland fisheries. Beneficiaries receive financial assistance, low-interest loans, and technical training to improve productivity.

Benefits:

1. Boosts income for fishermen and aquaculture farmers.
2. Reduces post-harvest losses through cold storage and processing.
3. Creates jobs in fish production and allied industries.

PMMSY strengthens the fisheries sector and contributes to food security and rural livelihoods, making it a vital program for coastal and inland farming communities.

13. Atal Bhujal Yojana

Atal Bhujal Yojana is a groundwater management and conservation program. It aims to improve water use efficiency in water-scarce regions through community participation, monitoring, and sustainable practices.

The scheme promotes activities like rainwater harvesting, aquifer recharge, and participatory groundwater management. Farmers are trained to adopt water-efficient practices for crops, reducing water stress.

Benefits:

1. Sustainable groundwater management.
2. Reduces water scarcity for irrigation.
3. Ensures long-term agricultural sustainability.

Atal Bhujal Yojana helps farmers manage water resources efficiently, making agriculture more resilient to climate change and seasonal droughts.

14. Gramin Bhandaran Yojana

Gramin Bhandaran Yojana provides financial assistance for village-level storage infrastructure. Farmers and farmer organizations can build warehouses, silos, and storage units to store their produce safely.

This scheme helps reduce post-harvest losses and allows farmers to sell produce when market prices are favorable. Loans under the scheme are subsidized, making it affordable for small farmers.

Benefits:

1. Prevents crop wastage and spoilage.
2. Improves income by selling at better prices.
3. Promotes organized storage infrastructure in rural areas.

It strengthens agricultural marketing and supply chains, ensuring farmers get fair value for their produce.

15. National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)

NMSA promotes climate-resilient and sustainable agriculture. It focuses on soil health, water conservation, efficient resource use, and environmentally friendly farming practices.

The mission provides training, support for crop diversification, and assistance in adopting precision farming, integrated pest management, and organic agriculture. Farmers can access financial incentives for climate-smart practices.

Benefits:

1. Increases productivity while conserving natural resources.
2. Reduces environmental impact of farming.
3. Encourages long-term agricultural sustainability.

NMSA ensures farmers adapt to climate change, improving livelihoods while maintaining ecological balance.

16. PM-AASHA (Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan)

PM-AASHA aims to ensure Minimum Support Price (MSP) for farmers’ crops. It includes Price Support Scheme (PSS), Farmer-Focused Procurement, and Price Deficiency Payment (PDP) mechanisms.

If market prices fall below MSP, the government compensates farmers, protecting them from losses. The scheme covers crops like cereals, pulses, and oilseeds.

Benefits:

1. Ensures income stability for farmers.
2. Reduces exploitation by middlemen.
3. Promotes crop planning and confidence among farmers.

PM-AASHA safeguards farmers’ incomes and strengthens food security and agricultural economy in India.

17. Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM)

SMAM promotes modern farming machinery to increase efficiency and reduce labor dependence. Farmers can access tractors, power tillers, harvesters, and other mechanized equipment at subsidized rates.

The scheme targets small and marginal farmers and includes training programs to use machines effectively. It helps reduce drudgery, save time, and increase productivity.

Benefits:

1. Reduces manual labor and increases farm efficiency.
2. Boosts crop yields and profitability.
3. Encourages adoption of modern agricultural techniques.

SMAM enables mechanized and sustainable farming, empowering farmers to improve income and productivity.

18. Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF)

AHIDF provides financial support and low-interest loans to boost livestock, dairy, and poultry sectors. Farmers can set up dairies, meat processing units, cold chains, and fodder infrastructure.

The scheme benefits small, marginal, and large farmers involved in animal husbandry and allied activities, promoting self-employment and income diversification.

Benefits:

1. Strengthens livestock and dairy sectors.
2. Increases rural income through allied agricultural activities.
3. Promotes organized and modern infrastructure for animal husbandry.

AHIDF improves productivity, reduces post-production losses, and enhances rural livelihoods.

19. Namo Drone Didi

Namo Drone Didi trains women farmers to operate drones for agricultural purposes. Drones are used for pesticide spraying, fertilizer distribution, and crop monitoring, making farming efficient and less labor-intensive.

The initiative empowers women in rural areas, promotes modern technology, and increases precision in agriculture. Farmers benefit from timely application of inputs and reduced labor costs.

Benefits:

1. Empowers women farmers.
2. Improves efficiency and reduces crop losses.
3. Introduces technology-driven farming practices.

Namo Drone Didi is a game-changer in precision farming, enabling gender inclusion and modernizing agriculture in India.