Farmer Welfare Cash Schemes in India (2025 Update): Central & State Government Initiatives
India’s agricultural sector continues to be the backbone of the economy, supporting over 10 crore farming families. To strengthen farmer income, reduce financial stress, and promote sustainable agriculture, both the Central Government and State Governments are running several cash-based and Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) schemes in 2025.
This updated blog provides a 2025-ready overview of major farmer-focused cash schemes, covering scheme details, benefit amount, launch timeline, approximate beneficiaries, eligibility, and application criteria.
Central Government Farmer Cash Schemes (2025)
1. PM-KISAN Samman Nidhi Yojana
Launched: February 2019
Benefit Amount (2025): ₹6,000 per year (₹2,000 in three installments)
Beneficiaries: Over 11 crore registered farmers
Scheme Details:
PM-KISAN remains the largest income-support scheme for farmers in India. The assistance is transferred directly to farmers’ bank accounts to help meet agricultural and household expenses.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Small and marginal landholding farmers
- Ownership of cultivable land
- Aadhaar-linked bank account
Not Eligible:
- Income tax payers
- Institutional landholders
- Certain categories of government employees
2. PM Kisan Maandhan Yojana
Launched: September 2019
Benefit Amount: ₹3,000 monthly pension after the age of 60
Beneficiaries: Around 25 lakh enrolled farmers
Scheme Details:
A voluntary and contributory pension scheme providing social security to farmers in old age.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Age between 18–40 years
- Landholding up to 2 hectares
- Regular monthly contribution
3. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)
Launched: 2016
Benefit Amount: Crop loss compensation (amount varies)
Beneficiaries: Crores of farmers insured every year
Scheme Details:
Provides direct financial compensation to farmers’ bank accounts in case of crop loss due to natural calamities, pests, or diseases.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Farmers growing notified crops
- Enrollment through banks, CSCs, or state portals
Major State Government Farmer Cash Schemes (2025)
4. Rythu Bandhu Scheme – Telangana
Launched: 2018
Benefit Amount (2025): ₹10,000 per acre per year
Beneficiaries: Around 70 lakh farmers
Eligibility Criteria:
- Land-owning farmers of Telangana
- Valid land records and Aadhaar
5. YSR Rythu Bharosa – Andhra Pradesh
Launched: 2019
Benefit Amount: ₹13,500 per year (including PM-KISAN share)
Beneficiaries: Over 50 lakh farmers
Eligibility Criteria:
- Small & marginal farmers, including tenant farmers
- Aadhaar-linked bank account
6. KALIA Scheme – Odisha
Launched: 2018
Benefit Amount: ₹10,000 per family per year
Beneficiaries: Around 60 lakh farming families
Eligibility Criteria:
- Small and marginal farmers
- Landless agricultural households
7. Mukhyamantri Kisan Kalyan Yojana – Madhya Pradesh
Launched: 2020
Benefit Amount: ₹4,000 per year (in addition to PM-KISAN)
Beneficiaries: Around 80 lakh farmers
Eligibility Criteria:
- Registered farmers of Madhya Pradesh
- Active PM-KISAN beneficiary
8. Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana – Chhattisgarh
Launched: 2020
Benefit Amount: ₹9,000–₹12,000 per acre (crop-dependent)
Beneficiaries: Around 25 lakh farmers
Eligibility Criteria:
- Farmers registered with the State Agriculture Department
Common Eligibility Requirements (Across Most Schemes)
- Aadhaar-linked bank account
- Valid land records or tenancy proof (state-specific)
- Registration with Agriculture Department
- Active mobile number for DBT notifications
How Ezeepay Helps Farmers Access Their Scheme Benefits
Ezeepay does not perform DBT verification or scheme enrollment. However, it plays a critical last-mile role in helping farmers access and withdraw their credited funds.
Through AEPS (Aadhaar Enabled Payment System) and Micro ATM (MATM) services, Ezeepay enables:
- Easy cash withdrawal of DBT and scheme amounts
- Banking access in villages and semi-urban areas
- Reduced dependency on distant bank branches
- Secure and fast transactions using Aadhaar or debit card
Ezeepay’s wide retailer network ensures that once the government credits the scheme amount, farmers can conveniently withdraw and use their money locally.
Conclusion
As of 2025, farmer cash schemes continue to play a vital role in improving income stability, risk protection, and long-term security for India’s farming community. With digital financial access through platforms like Ezeepay, farmers are able to seamlessly withdraw their benefits and manage their finances with ease.
Ezeepay remains committed to empowering farmers by enabling simple, secure, and accessible banking services across rural India.
