The Krishak Bandhu Scheme is a farmer welfare initiative of the Department of Agriculture, Government of West Bengal. It provides financial assistance to eligible farmers and registered sharecroppers to support agricultural activities and strengthen household income.
The scheme also offers financial protection to eligible families in cases of death or permanent disability, subject to the prescribed conditions. Payments are made directly to beneficiaries through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism.
What Is the Krishak Bandhu Scheme?
The Krishak Bandhu Scheme seeks to reduce the financial burden faced by farmers by providing regular income support linked to landholding.
Eligible farmers and recorded sharecroppers can use the assistance for agricultural inputs and other cultivation-related expenses. The scheme also provides a financial safety net to eligible beneficiaries and their families.
What Are the Benefits of the Krishak Bandhu Scheme?
The scheme provides income assistance as well as financial protection.
Annual Income Support
Farmers holding one acre or more receive ₹10,000 annually, generally paid in two instalments.
Those with less than one acre receive assistance proportionate to their landholding, subject to a minimum annual benefit of ₹4,000.
The support can help meet expenses related to seeds, fertilisers and other farm inputs.
Death Benefit
An eligible registered farmer’s family can receive a ₹2 lakh lump-sum benefit in case of death, subject to the applicable rules and claim requirements.
The assistance is intended to provide financial support to the family following the loss of an earning member.
Permanent Disability Benefit
The scheme also provides ₹2 lakh financial assistance in eligible cases involving permanent disability caused by an accident. The specified age range for this benefit is 18–60 years, subject to applicable conditions.
Direct Benefit Transfer
Eligible payments are transferred directly to beneficiaries’ bank accounts through DBT, helping reduce dependence on intermediaries. Aadhaar-linked banking information may be required for verification and payment.
What Is the Eligibility Criteria for the Krishak Bandhu Scheme?
Applicants generally need to satisfy the following conditions:
- Must be a resident of West Bengal.
- Must be an eligible farmer, landholder or recorded sharecropper (Bargadar).
- Must provide valid records relating to cultivable land or sharecropping.
- Death benefit claims are available to legal heirs of eligible farmers who die between 18 and 60 years.
What Documents Are Required for the Krishak Bandhu Scheme?
Applicants may require Aadhaar, Voter ID, land records, bank account details, photograph, mobile number and relevant sharecropping documents.
For death benefit claims, documents such as the death certificate and proof of legal-heir status may also be required.
How to Apply for the Krishak Bandhu Scheme?
Farmers can approach the Agriculture Department or the relevant block-level office for registration guidance.
The general process involves:
- Visit the official Krishak Bandhu platform.
- Contact the Assistant Director of Agriculture at the block level.
- Obtain the prescribed application form or follow the current registration process.
- Enter personal, land and bank details.
- Attach the required documents and submit the application to the designated authority.
- Preserve the acknowledgement or application reference for future tracking.
Applicants should verify the latest official guidelines before applying, as eligibility conditions, documents and procedures may be updated by the state government.
FAQs - Krishak Bandhu Scheme
What is the Krishak Bandhu Scheme?
Krishak Bandhu is a West Bengal government scheme that provides financial support to eligible farmers and recorded sharecroppers for agricultural expenses.
How much annual assistance is provided under Krishak Bandhu?
Farmers with one acre or more receive ₹10,000 annually in two instalments. Those with smaller holdings receive proportionate assistance, with a minimum annual benefit of ₹4,000.
Who is eligible for the Krishak Bandhu Scheme?
Eligible farmers and recorded sharecroppers residing in West Bengal can apply with valid land or sharecropping records and the required identification documents.
What is the death benefit under Krishak Bandhu?
Legal heirs of eligible farmers who die between 18 and 60 years can receive ₹2 lakh, subject to the scheme’s conditions and claim verification.
How can farmers apply for the Krishak Bandhu Scheme?
Farmers can contact their block-level Assistant Director of Agriculture and submit the prescribed application with identification, land records and bank account details.
