Krishak Bandhu Scheme: Eligibility, Application, Benefits

Krishak Bandhu Scheme is a major WB agriculture scheme aimed at strengthening farmers’ financial security. It provides assured income support and social protection to eligible cultivators and sharecroppers across West Bengal. Under clearly defined Krishak Bandhu eligibility norms, farmers receive direct financial assistance to manage cultivation expenses during cropping seasons. 

The Krishak Bandhu amount is designed to offer seasonal farmer assistance, helping reduce agricultural distress. By ensuring timely payouts and a death benefit, this scheme plays a vital role in delivering farmer income support WB and improving the livelihoods of rural farming families.

Krishak Bandhu Scheme

Krishak Bandhu Scheme launched to support farmers across West Bengal. It offers two main components: assured income support and a death benefit.

Krishak Bandhu Scheme Objective

The primary objective is to provide financial assistance to land-owning farmers and sharecroppers. This helps them with cultivation expenses. It also aims to reduce financial distress among farmer families.

Krishak Bandhu Eligibility 

To qualify for the Krishak Bandhu Scheme, applicants must meet specific criteria.

• Resident Status: Applicant must be a permanent resident of West Bengal.

• Farmer Status: Must be a registered farmer with cultivable land. Sharecroppers (Bargadars) are also eligible.

• Land Ownership: Owns cultivable land within the state.

• Age Criteria: For the death benefit, the deceased farmer must be between 18 and 60 years old.

Krishak Bandhu Scheme Amount and Benefits

The scheme offers direct financial support and a life insurance component.

• Financial Assistance: Farmers receive ₹10,000 per acre annually. This is disbursed in two equal installments of ₹5,000 each. The minimum assistance is ₹4,000 per year for farmers with less than an acre. This ensures critical seasonal farmer assistance.

• Death Benefit: In case of a farmer's death (between 18-60 years), their family receives a one-time grant of ₹2 Lakh. This provides immediate relief to the bereaved family.

Krishak Bandhu Scheme Application Process

Farmers can apply for the scheme through their local Krishi Prayukti Sahayak Kendra (KPS). Online applications are also available through the official Krishak Bandhu portal. Required documents include land records, identity proof, bank details, and an Aadhaar card.

Key Rules of Krishak Bandhu Scheme

The Krishak Bandhu Scheme operates under clear guidelines to ensure fair distribution of benefits. These rules govern financial aid and death benefit payouts.

Financial Assistance Rules

The financial assistance rules of the Krishak Bandhu Scheme define how and when monetary support is provided to eligible farmers. These guidelines ensure timely seasonal support based on landholding size and promote fair distribution of farmer income support WB.

1. Disbursement Cycle: Financial support is provided in two phases: during the Kharif season (May-September) and the Rabi season (October-April).

2. Land Area Calculation: The financial aid is calculated based on the total cultivable land owned by the farmer, up to a maximum of 1 acre.

3. Minimum Support: Farmers owning less than 1 acre receive a minimum of ₹4,000 annually. This ensures even small landholders get substantial farmer income support WB.

Death Benefit Rules

The death benefit rules under the Krishak Bandhu Scheme outline the conditions for providing financial relief to a farmer’s family. These provisions ensure immediate economic support through a one-time payout to the registered nominee.

1. Age Limit: The deceased farmer must have been between 18 and 60 years of age at the time of death.

2. Nominee Eligibility: The death benefit of ₹2 Lakh is paid to the registered nominee of the deceased farmer.

3. One-Time Payout: This is a single, lump-sum payment designed to provide immediate financial relief.