Top 10 Government Schemes Every Indian Farmer Needs to Know in 2025 — Benefits, Eligibility, and How to Get Started

Government Schemes Farmers Should Actually Pay Attention To (2025 Edition)

If you’ve worked on a farm long enough, you know one thing for sure — these government schemes can honestly be lifesavers. They help with everything from seeds to insurance to irrigation. But the reality? A lot of farmers don’t even know they qualify. NABARD once mentioned that less than half of small farmers understand the schemes meant for them. That’s the tough part.

So as 2025 rolls in, here’s a simple breakdown of the schemes worth knowing. No jargon, no sugar-coating — just what matters.

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

This one’s pretty straightforward — the government directly transfers money into your bank account.

• What you get: ₹6,000 a year (₹2,000 every few months).

• Who can apply: Farmers who actually own agricultural land.

• How to get it: Apply on pmkisan.gov.in or visit a CSC centre.

• What’s new in 2025: Faster payments, Aadhaar-linked everything, and fewer delays.

2. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)

Think of this as a safety net for your crop. Bad weather? Pest attacks? Flooding? You get compensation.

• Premiums: 2% for Kharif crops, 1.5% for Rabi, 5% for commercial crops.

• Who can apply: Any farmer growing an insurable crop — loan or no loan.

• How to join: Through your bank, insurance company, or the PMFBY mobile app.

• 2025 update: Drone surveys help settle claims faster. Less arguing, quicker payouts.

3. Kisan Credit Card (KCC)

Every farmer should honestly have this. It’s the cleanest way to get short-term money without loan sharks breathing down your neck.

• Loan limit: Up to ₹3 lakh

• Interest: Around 4% after interest subsidy

• Eligible: Farmers, fishers, livestock owners

• How to apply: Visit your bank with land documents, ID proof, and basic paperwork.

• 2025 update: Digital KCC systems are rolling out, so approvals won’t drag for weeks.

4. Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY)

If you want to shift to drip or sprinkler irrigation, this is the scheme you look at.

• Subsidy: Usually 35–55%; small farmers can get up to 70%

• Who can apply: Anyone ready to use micro-irrigation

• Where to apply: Agriculture or horticulture department office

• 2025 update: NABARD doubled the irrigation fund — money won’t be the issue now.

5. eNAM (National Agriculture Market)

No more depending entirely on the mandi middleman. This platform lets you sell your produce to buyers from any state.

• Benefit: Better prices, more buyers, less unfair cuts

• Eligible: Farmers linked to an APMC

• How to join: Register on enam.gov.in with your Aadhaar and bank details

• 2025 update: eNAM 2.0 includes AI-based price insights and better logistics suggestions.

6. Soil Health Card Scheme

If you’ve ever applied fertilizers “just because everyone else does,” this scheme fixes that. You get to know what your soil actually lacks.

• Benefits: Smarter fertilizer use, healthier soil, better yields

• Eligibility: Every farmer can use it — it’s free

• How to join: Submit soil samples at a testing centre or through your local agriculture officer

• 2025 update: Mobile soil-testing vans will start covering more rural areas.