Top 10 Government Schemes for Farmers 2026

India''s agricultural sector supports nearly 47% of the country''s workforce, yet farmers continue to face challenges ranging from natural calamities and market volatility to inadequate credit access and post-harvest losses. To address these concerns, the Government of India has launched and strengthened numerous schemes in 2026 aimed at improving farmers'' economic conditions and ensuring food security for the nation.

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

PM-KISAN remains the cornerstone of agricultural support in India. Under this scheme, eligible farmer families receive ₹6,000 per year in three equal installments of ₹2,000 directly into their Aadhaar-linked bank accounts. As of 2026, over 11 crore farmers benefit from this scheme. The government has streamlined the e-KYC process, allowing farmers to complete verification at their nearest Common Service Centre or through the PM-KISAN mobile app. New applicants must provide their Aadhaar number, land records, and bank passbook details to register.

2. PM Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)

Agriculture in India is highly susceptible to unpredictable weather patterns, pests, and diseases. The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana provides comprehensive crop insurance coverage at heavily subsidized premium rates — just 2% for Kharif crops, 1.5% for Rabi crops, and 5% for commercial and horticultural crops. The government subsidizes the balance. In 2026, the scheme has been upgraded with satellite-based crop damage assessment, enabling faster claim settlement. Farmers no longer need to wait months — approved claims are transferred within 15 days of damage assessment.

3. Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Scheme

Timely access to credit is critical for farmers to purchase seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and equipment. The Kisan Credit Card scheme provides revolving credit for agricultural needs at a highly subsidized interest rate of just 4% per annum (after a 3% interest subvention from the government). The credit limit is determined based on the area under cultivation and the type of crops grown. In 2026, KCC benefits have been extended to fishermen and animal husbandry farmers as well, making it one of the most inclusive credit schemes available.

4. PM Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY)

Water scarcity is among the most pressing challenges facing Indian agriculture. PM Krishi Sinchai Yojana operates on the guiding principle of "Har Khet Ko Pani, More Crop Per Drop." The scheme subsidizes micro-irrigation systems including drip and sprinkler irrigation, helping farmers optimize water usage while improving crop yields by up to 40%. In 2026, the mission has been expanded to cover groundwater development components, benefiting farmers in drought-prone districts of Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.

5. e-NAM (Electronic National Agriculture Market)

e-NAM is a pan-India electronic trading portal that networks existing APMC mandis to create a unified national market for agricultural commodities. Farmers can list their produce online and receive better prices through transparent competitive bidding. As of 2026, over 1,361 mandis across 23 states are connected to the e-NAM platform. Farmers receive direct payment to their registered bank accounts within 24 hours of a successful transaction. The platform now supports mobile-based selling, allowing farmers to participate in online auctions from their villages.

6. Soil Health Card Scheme

Overuse of chemical fertilizers has degraded soil quality across vast agricultural areas in India. The Soil Health Card Scheme provides farmers with free cards containing information on 12 soil parameters, including NPK levels, secondary and micro-nutrients, pH, electrical conductivity, and organic carbon content. Based on this data, crop-specific fertilizer recommendations are issued. Farmers using these recommendations have reported up to 10% reduction in input costs while maintaining or improving yields. Cards are renewed every two years.

7. PM Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana

Recognizing that farmers have no formal retirement safety net, this voluntary pension scheme targets small and marginal farmers aged 18–40 years. Enrolled farmers contribute between ₹55 and ₹200 per month (based on entry age), and the government contributes an equal amount to the pension fund. Upon reaching 60 years of age, participants receive a guaranteed minimum pension of ₹3,000 per month. In case of the enrolled farmer''s death, the spouse receives 50% of the pension amount as family pension. Over 23 lakh farmers are currently enrolled.

8. Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF)

Post-harvest losses in India account for approximately ₹92,651 crore annually due to inadequate storage and processing infrastructure. The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund addresses this by providing medium to long-term debt financing for post-harvest management infrastructure — cold storage chains, warehouses, silos, and assaying units. Eligible borrowers include FPOs, Primary Agricultural Credit Societies, farmer groups, agri-startups, and individual farmers. Loans up to ₹2 crore are available at 3% interest subvention with credit guarantee support under CGTMSE.

9. PM-AASHA (Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan)

PM-AASHA is a comprehensive price support umbrella covering oilseeds, pulses, and copra. It consists of three sub-schemes: the Price Support Scheme (PSS) for direct government procurement at MSP, the Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS) where farmers receive the difference between MSP and market price directly into their accounts, and the Pilot of Private Procurement and Stockist Scheme (PPPS). When market prices fall below MSP, state governments are empowered to activate the relevant sub-scheme within 24 hours to protect farmers from distress sales.

10. National Mission on Natural Farming

Launched as a standalone centrally-sponsored mission in 2026, this programme promotes zero-budget chemical-free farming using locally available bio-inputs like Jeevamrit, Beejamrit, and mulching techniques. Farmers transitioning to natural farming receive technical guidance, training through Krishi Vigyan Kendras, and marketing linkages to premium organic markets. Certified natural farming produce commands 15–25% higher prices in domestic markets. The mission aims to cover 1 crore farmers across 15,000 clusters by 2028, with special focus on rain-fed farming regions.

How to Apply

Most of these schemes can be accessed through the PM-KISAN portal, your state agriculture department''s website, or the nearest Common Service Centre (CSC). You will generally need your Aadhaar card, land ownership documents (Khasra/Khatauni), bank passbook, and a passport-size photograph. Use the JanSevaPlus eligibility checker to quickly identify which schemes you qualify for based on your state, landholding size, crop type, and income level — without visiting multiple government offices.