Government Schemes for Small and Marginal Farmers in India
Updated: 28 September 2026 · Last Verified: 28 September 2026 · By: Akshay Kumar, Editor
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Quick Answer
The Government of India treats a “small and marginal” farmer family as one that owns cultivable land of up to 2 hectares. Most central farmer schemes are open to you whatever your land size, but three are built specifically around small farmers: the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan-Dhan Yojana (PM-KMY), an old-age pension scheme only for small and marginal farmers; the micro-irrigation subsidy under Per Drop More Crop, which pays a higher share (55%) to small and marginal farmers than to others (45%); and the Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) scheme, which helps small farmers join together. Alongside these, PM-KISAN, PMFBY, the Kisan Credit Card and PM-KUSUM matter most to small farmers in practice. This guide shows what each one gives you and where to go next.
Key Highlights
| Scheme | What it does for small and marginal farmers | Who it covers |
|---|---|---|
| PM-KMY (Kisan Maan-Dhan) | Assured pension of ₹3,000 a month from age 60, for a monthly contribution of ₹55–₹200 | Land-holding small and marginal farmers aged 18–40 at entry |
| Per Drop More Crop (micro irrigation) | Subsidy of 55% of the unit cost for drip and sprinkler systems (45% for other farmers) | Farmers installing drip or sprinkler irrigation, through state governments |
| FPO scheme (10,000 FPOs) | Helps small, marginal and landless farmers pool resources for inputs, marketing and bargaining power | Farmers who join or form a Farmer Producer Organisation |
| PM-KISAN | ₹6,000 a year in three installments; started for small and marginal farmers, now covers all eligible land-holding families | Land-holding farmer families, subject to exclusions |
| PMFBY | Crop insurance at a capped farmer premium of 2% (Kharif), 1.5% (Rabi) or 5% (commercial/horticultural) | Farmers, including tenants and sharecroppers, growing notified crops |
| Kisan Credit Card | Credit up to ₹3 lakh at 7%, effectively 4% with on-time repayment | Farmers, tenants, sharecroppers, and farmer SHGs/JLGs |
Last Verified: 24 September 2026
Who Counts as a Small or Marginal Farmer?
The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare defines a small and marginal landholder farmer family as a family of husband, wife and minor children who together own cultivable land of up to 2 hectares, as shown in the land records of the concerned State or Union Territory. Two points follow from this:
- The measure is the family’s combined land, not each person’s share.
- It is based on land records, so the details in your state’s Record of Rights matter. Our documents guide for farmer schemes explains how to get and check them.
Schemes Built for Small and Marginal Farmers
PM Kisan Maan-Dhan Yojana (PM-KMY): a pension for farmers
PM-KMY is a voluntary, contributory pension scheme for small and marginal farmers who join between the ages of 18 and 40. It promises a minimum assured pension of ₹3,000 a month once you turn 60. You contribute between ₹55 and ₹200 a month, depending on the age at which you join, and the Government of India adds a matching contribution to your pension account. The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) manages the pension fund.
- Who cannot join: farmers who are already covered under other statutory social security schemes such as the National Pension Scheme (NPS), Employees’ State Insurance (ESIC) or the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).
- If you leave early: if you exit within ten years of joining, your own contributions are returned with savings bank interest, but the government’s matching share is not paid.
- Family pension: if a pensioner dies, the spouse is entitled to 50% of the pension, which is ₹1,500 a month, provided the spouse is not already a beneficiary of the scheme.
- Enrolment cost: enrolment is free of cost at Common Service Centres — you pay only your monthly contributions, and no one should charge you to enrol.
Micro irrigation subsidy (Per Drop More Crop)
Under the Per Drop More Crop component, financial assistance for installing drip and sprinkler irrigation is 55% of the unit cost for small and marginal farmers and 45% for other farmers. It has run since 2015-16 as part of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) and, from 2022-23, is implemented under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY). It is carried out by state governments, so how you apply depends on your state — start with your state’s agriculture or horticulture department. The official PMKSY portal is pmksy.gov.in.
Farmer Producer Organisations (the 10,000 FPO scheme)
Small, marginal and landless farmers often struggle to get quality seed, fertiliser, finance and a fair price on their own. The central scheme for forming and promoting 10,000 Farmer Producer Organisations aims to bring them together into a collective, so they can buy inputs and sell produce with more strength. The Small Farmers’ Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC) is a key implementing agency. If you want to benefit, the practical route is to ask your district agriculture office about an FPO near you, or about forming one.
General Schemes That Matter Most to Small Farmers
- PM-KISAN — the scheme began as income support for small and marginal farmers with up to 2 hectares and was later widened to cover all eligible land-holding farmer families, subject to certain exclusions. It pays ₹6,000 a year in three installments. Registration and eKYC are required, so see our guides on eKYC and checking your status.
- PMFBY — a small farm can be wiped out by one bad season. The farmer’s premium is capped low and the government pays the rest, and tenants and sharecroppers are covered.
- Kisan Credit Card — low-interest institutional credit instead of borrowing from moneylenders. See also how KCC, MISS and AIF fit together.
- PM-KUSUM — subsidised solar pumps to cut diesel costs; implemented state by state.
Not sure where to start? Our guide to the best government schemes for farmers matches schemes to your situation.
Eligibility
For PM-KMY
- A small or marginal farmer with cultivable land of up to 2 hectares as per land records
- Age 18 to 40 at the time of joining
- Not already covered under NPS, ESIC or EPFO
For the other schemes
Eligibility for PM-KISAN, PMFBY, KCC and PM-KUSUM is covered in each scheme’s own guide linked above; for micro irrigation and FPOs, check with your state agriculture department or district agriculture office.
Documents Required
The common core is Aadhaar, a bank account in your own name, and your land record (or a tenancy agreement where a scheme accepts one). For PM-KMY, expect to need Aadhaar and a savings bank account; confirm the exact list at the Common Service Centre when you enrol. Our full documents checklist covers each scheme.
How to Apply
- PM-KMY: visit your nearest Common Service Centre and enrol there; enrolment is free.
- Micro irrigation subsidy: apply through your state government’s agriculture or horticulture department, following your state’s process.
- FPO: ask your district agriculture office about joining an existing FPO or forming one.
- PM-KISAN, PMFBY, KCC, PM-KUSUM: follow the step-by-step guide linked for each scheme above.
Application Mode
PM-KMY through Common Service Centres; micro irrigation through state agriculture or horticulture departments; the general schemes through their own portals or banks, as explained in each guide.
Important Dates
There is no single date. PM-KMY has an entry age window (18 to 40) rather than a calendar deadline, so joining earlier means a lower monthly contribution. PMFBY has season-wise enrolment cut-offs. PM-KISAN pays in installments; the 23rd was released on 20 June 2026 and the next date has not been officially announced. Check each official portal for current details.
Official Source
- PM-KMY salient features (Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare): pmkisan.gov.in (PM-KMY Salient Features, PDF)
- Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare: agriwelfare.gov.in
- PMKSY (including Per Drop More Crop): pmksy.gov.in
- Small Farmers’ Agribusiness Consortium (FPO scheme): sfacindia.com
- PM-KISAN: pmkisan.gov.in
- Common Service Centre locator: locator.csccloud.in
Important Notes
- JanAvsara is not a government website and does not enrol anyone in any scheme or collect money or documents.
- PM-KMY is a long-term commitment: the pension starts only at age 60, and leaving within ten years means losing the government’s matching contribution. Read the official salient features before joining.
- Amounts, subsidy percentages and rules can change, and states may add their own schemes for small farmers. Confirm current details with the official source before acting.
Related Schemes
- Best Government Schemes for Farmers — which scheme fits your situation
- Documents Required for Farmer Schemes — one checklist for all major schemes
- PM-KISAN Samman Nidhi
- PM Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)
- Kisan Credit Card (KCC)
- Farmer Schemes — browse all farmer-related articles on JanAvsara
FAQs
Who is a small and marginal farmer under government schemes?
A family of husband, wife and minor children who together own cultivable land of up to 2 hectares, as shown in their state’s land records. This is the definition the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare uses for its schemes.
Is there a pension scheme for small farmers?
Yes. The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan-Dhan Yojana gives an assured pension of ₹3,000 a month from age 60 to small and marginal farmers who join between 18 and 40, with a monthly contribution of ₹55 to ₹200 that the Government of India matches.
Do I have to be a small farmer to get PM-KISAN?
No. PM-KISAN began for small and marginal farmers with up to 2 hectares but was widened to cover all eligible land-holding farmer families, subject to exclusions such as income-tax payers and certain categories of government pensioners.
What happens to my PM-KMY money if I leave early?
If you exit within ten years of joining, your own contributions are returned with savings bank interest. The government’s matching contribution is not paid in that case.
How much subsidy do small farmers get on drip and sprinkler irrigation?
Under the Per Drop More Crop component, small and marginal farmers get 55% of the unit cost, while other farmers get 45%. It is implemented through state governments, so check with your state’s agriculture or horticulture department.
Where do I enrol in PM-KMY, and does it cost anything?
At a Common Service Centre. Enrolment itself is free; you only pay your monthly contribution once enrolled.