Best Government Schemes for Farmers in India: Which One Fits You?
Updated: 24 September 2026 · Last Verified: 24 September 2026 · By: Akshay Kumar, Editor
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Quick Answer
There is no single “best” government scheme for every farmer — the right one depends on the problem you are trying to solve. For regular income support, look at PM-KISAN. To protect a crop against damage, look at PM Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). For low-interest money to grow the season’s crop, look at the Kisan Credit Card (KCC). To cut irrigation costs or earn from spare land, look at PM-KUSUM. And to build a warehouse or cold storage after harvest, look at the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF). This page helps you match your situation to the right scheme, then sends you to the full guide for each one.
Key Highlights
| If you need… | Look at | What it offers | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular income support | PM-KISAN | ₹6,000 a year in three installments of ₹2,000, paid by Direct Benefit Transfer | Land-holding farmer families (some categories are excluded) |
| Crop insurance | PMFBY | Cover against crop loss; farmer pays 2% (Kharif), 1.5% (Rabi) or 5% (commercial/horticultural crops) of the sum insured | Farmers growing notified crops in notified areas, including tenants and sharecroppers |
| Short-term crop loan | Kisan Credit Card | Revolving credit up to ₹3 lakh at 7% a year, effectively 4% with on-time repayment | Farmers, tenants, sharecroppers, and farmer SHGs/JLGs |
| Solar pump or extra income | PM-KUSUM | Central subsidy of up to 30% (50% in North-Eastern and special-category states) plus a state share, across three components | Farmers wanting a solar irrigation pump or a grid-connected solar plant |
| Warehouse, cold storage, processing | Agriculture Infrastructure Fund | 3% interest subvention plus credit guarantee on loans up to ₹2 crore per project | Farmers, FPOs, cooperatives, agri-entrepreneurs |
Last Verified: 24 September 2026
Which Scheme Fits Your Situation?
Most lists of farmer schemes just name them one after another. It is more useful to start from what you actually need, because each of these schemes solves a different problem and they are applied for in different ways.
“I want a steady income I can count on”
PM-KISAN pays eligible land-holding farmer families ₹6,000 a year in three equal installments directly to a bank account. It is income support, not a loan or a subsidy on something you buy. If you are already registered and a payment looks stuck, our guides on checking your PM-KISAN status, completing eKYC and checking the village-wise beneficiary list explain what each screen and message means.
“I am worried about losing my crop to weather, pests or disease”
PMFBY is the crop insurance scheme. The premium you pay is small — 2% for Kharif food and oilseed crops, 1.5% for Rabi, 5% for commercial and horticultural crops — and the government pays the rest of the premium. Enrolment happens within season-specific windows, so it has to be done before the cut-off for your season and state, not after the damage. PMFBY is voluntary for states and not every state implements it, so first confirm on pmfby.gov.in that it is available where you farm.
“I need money for seeds, fertiliser and other season expenses”
The Kisan Credit Card is a revolving credit line issued through banks, so you do not have to apply afresh each season. The interest subsidy that brings the effective rate down to around 4% for on-time repayment is a separate mechanism (MISS) that is applied by the bank; our explainer on KCC, MISS and AIF shows how the three fit together.
“Diesel for my irrigation pump is too expensive, or I have spare land”
PM-KUSUM has three separate components: a small grid-connected solar plant on your own land (Component A), a new standalone solar pump (Component B), or converting an existing pump to solar (Component C). It is implemented state by state, so the exact process and any extra state subsidy depend on where you farm. The same guide also explains how to spot the fake PM-KUSUM websites that the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has warned about.
“I want to build storage or a processing unit after harvest”
The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund finances post-harvest infrastructure such as warehouses, cold storage and processing units. It is not meant for seasonal crop expenses. It works like a project loan, so you will need a Detailed Project Report. The full explanation is in our guide to agriculture loan and subsidy schemes.
Other Central Schemes Worth Knowing About
We have not yet written full guides on the schemes below, so we are only giving the basics here. Each has its own official portal, which is the place to check the current rules.
- PMKSY (Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana) — an irrigation scheme with the aims of “Har Khet Ko Pani” (water to every field) and “More Crop Per Drop” (better water-use efficiency). Its components include the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme, micro-irrigation such as drip and sprinklers, and watershed management. It is run by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare. Official site: pmksy.gov.in.
- e-NAM (National Agriculture Market) — a pan-India electronic trading portal that networks existing APMC mandis into a unified national market, aimed at transparent auctions and online payments. It is implemented by the Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC). Official site: enam.gov.in, toll-free helpline 1800 270 0224.
- Soil Health Card — gives farmers the nutrient status of their soil on 12 parameters (including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur, micronutrients, pH, electrical conductivity and organic carbon) along with fertiliser recommendations. The stated goal is to provide every farmer a card once every two years. Official portal: soilhealth.dac.gov.in.
Documents Most of These Schemes Ask For
The exact list differs by scheme, and each of our guides above lists the specifics. In general, expect to need:
- Aadhaar (for PM-KISAN it must be linked to your bank account)
- A bank account in your own name
- Land ownership records or, for tenants and sharecroppers, tenancy or lease documents
- Crop and sowing details, where the scheme covers a specific crop or season
How to Apply
There is no single application for all farmer schemes. Each one is applied for through its own route:
- PM-KISAN — self-register on the PM-KISAN portal or through a Common Service Centre.
- PMFBY — self-register on the PMFBY portal, enrol through a Common Service Centre or bank branch, or (if you take a crop loan) through your bank, before the season’s enrolment cut-off.
- KCC — through your bank branch, or online through NABARD’s eKCC platform.
- PM-KUSUM — through your state’s designated renewable energy or nodal agency.
- AIF — online, through the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund portal, with a Detailed Project Report.
Follow the step-by-step guide linked in the table above for whichever scheme you choose.
Application Mode
Mostly online or through your bank, with Common Service Centres available as an assisted route. The application route for each scheme is listed above.
Important Dates
There is no single date for all schemes. PM-KISAN pays in installments — the 23rd installment was released on 20 June 2026, and the next date has not been officially announced. PMFBY has season-wise enrolment windows that open and close each cycle. KCC, AIF and the other schemes above run on an ongoing basis. Check the official portal for the current cut-off before you plan around any date.
Official Source
This page summarises and connects information from the official sources below. Rules, amounts and interest rates can change, so confirm current details there before applying:
- Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare: agriwelfare.gov.in
- PM-KISAN: pmkisan.gov.in
- PMFBY: pmfby.gov.in
- Kisan Credit Card (eKCC): ekcc.nabard.org
- PM-KUSUM: pmkusum.mnre.gov.in
- Agriculture Infrastructure Fund: agriinfra.dac.gov.in
- PMKSY: pmksy.gov.in
- e-NAM: enam.gov.in
- Soil Health Card: soilhealth.dac.gov.in
Important Notes
- JanAvsara is not a government website and does not take applications, fees or documents for any scheme. Apply only through the official portals, your bank, or an authorised Common Service Centre.
- Be careful with anyone who promises guaranteed approval or asks for extra payment. Some official routes do carry a small fixed fee — for example, biometric eKYC for PM-KISAN at a Common Service Centre costs ₹15 — but that is set by the scheme, not negotiable with an agent.
- These are central government schemes. Many states run their own additional schemes for farmers on top of these, and those are covered separately.
- Eligibility, amounts and deadlines are set by the government and can change. This page is a starting point for choosing, not a substitute for the official notification.
Related Schemes
- PM-KISAN Samman Nidhi — direct income support for land-holding farmer families
- PM Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) — crop insurance
- Kisan Credit Card (KCC) — short-term crop credit
- PM-KUSUM — solar pump subsidy
- Agriculture Loan & Subsidy Schemes — KCC, MISS and AIF explained
- Farmer Schemes — browse all farmer-related articles on JanAvsara
FAQs
Which government scheme is best for a small farmer?
There is no single best scheme — it depends on what you need. PM-KISAN is income support, PMFBY is crop insurance, KCC is a low-interest crop loan, PM-KUSUM is for solar pumps and solar income, and AIF is for post-harvest infrastructure. Start from the situation that matches yours in the section above.
Can I use more than one farmer scheme at the same time?
These are separate schemes with their own eligibility rules. Being a PM-KISAN beneficiary does not by itself stop you from applying for PMFBY, KCC or the others, but check each scheme’s rules on its official portal, since conditions differ.
Which scheme should I apply for first?
As general guidance, if you own land and are not yet registered, PM-KISAN registration is a common first step because it is free and does not depend on a loan or a season. If you need money for the coming season, KCC is usually the next one to look at. Your own situation may differ, so treat this as a starting point.
Do I have to pay anyone to apply for these schemes?
No. Applications go through official portals, banks or authorised Common Service Centres. Some assisted routes have a small official fee, such as the ₹15 charge for PM-KISAN biometric eKYC at a CSC, but no one can legitimately charge extra to “guarantee” approval.
Are these central or state schemes?
PM-KISAN, PMFBY, KCC, PM-KUSUM and AIF are central government schemes. PM-KUSUM is carried out by state agencies, and many states also run their own separate farmer schemes.
Where can I find the official list of all farmer schemes?
The Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare publishes its schemes and guidelines at agriwelfare.gov.in. Each scheme also has its own portal, listed in the Official Source section above.