Krishak Bandhu Scheme West Bengal: ₹10,000 Income Support & ₹2 Lakh Cover

Krishak Bandhu is an income-support and social-security scheme run by the Department of Agriculture, Government of West Bengal. It was first launched on 1 January 2019 and revised as 'New Krishak Bandhu' from 17 June 2021. The scheme has two goals: to give farmers assured financial support for crop cultivation each season, and to provide a lump-sum death benefit to the family if a registered cultivator dies. More than 90 lakh farmers and sharecroppers are registered under the programme.

The income-support component is paid by direct benefit transfer in two seasonal instalments covering the Kharif and Rabi seasons. The amount depends on the size of the landholding, with a guaranteed minimum for small and marginal cultivators. The death-benefit component works like a life-cover payout, giving a one-time sum to the legal heir of a registered farmer or recorded sharecropper who dies between the ages of 18 and 60, from any cause.

Agriculture supports a large share of West Bengal's population, and small and marginal farmers are especially exposed to the ups and downs of each season. Krishak Bandhu tries to smooth some of that uncertainty by putting a predictable amount into a farmer's bank account ahead of the Kharif and Rabi seasons, when spending on seeds, fertiliser and labour is highest. The scheme also recognises that the loss of a working cultivator can push a family into crisis, which is why the death benefit is a core part of the programme rather than an afterthought. Registration covers both landholding farmers and recorded sharecroppers, so the support reaches those who actually till the land.

Krishak Bandhu has two distinct components: seasonal income support and a one-time death benefit. The income support is scaled to the size of the landholding, with a guaranteed floor for the smallest cultivators, while the death benefit works like a life-cover payout for the family. The points below set out exactly what is paid under each part.

Eligibility rests on holding or cultivating agricultural land in West Bengal, evidenced by land records such as a Record of Rights, Patta or Forest Patta. Recorded sharecroppers, known locally as bhagchasi, are specifically included so that tenants who farm the land are not left out. The death-benefit component carries an additional age condition. The following points summarise who qualifies.

The documents mainly establish your right to the land and provide a bank account for the direct benefit transfer. Because payment is linked to land records, it is worth checking that mutation is up to date and that the name on your land record matches your Aadhaar and bank account. For the death benefit, the family needs additional paperwork confirming the legal heir. Keep the following ready.

The main way to apply is offline, at a camp held in the Gram Panchayat where you hold the largest share of your land. Duare Sarkar camps and dedicated Krishak Bandhu desks make this easier by bringing the process closer to farmers. Once registered, you can check your status online using your voter ID. The steps below walk through the process.

Since Krishak Bandhu payments flow through land records and bank accounts, most problems trace back to mismatched or outdated details. A little care before applying can prevent a delayed or failed instalment. Keep the following points in mind.

Krishak Bandhu was launched on 1 January 2019 and revised as 'New Krishak Bandhu' from 17 June 2021. The scheme is currently active, with more than 90 lakh registered farmers and sharecroppers. Income support is paid in two seasonal instalments (Kharif and Rabi). Confirm current instalment dates and details on the official portal.

কৃষকবন্ধু পশ্চিমবঙ্গ কৃষি দপ্তরের একটি প্রকল্প (১ জানুয়ারি ২০১৯ চালু, ১৭ জুন ২০২১ থেকে 'নতুন কৃষকবন্ধু')। এতে কৃষকদের নিশ্চিত আয় সহায়তা এবং মৃত্যুতে পরিবারের জন্য এককালীন সহায়তা দেওয়া হয়। ৯০ লক্ষেরও বেশি কৃষক ও ভাগচাষি নথিভুক্ত।

Official portal: krishakbandhu.wb.gov.in (please verify — the official domain is .wb.gov.in, not .net). The scheme is administered by the Department of Agriculture, Government of West Bengal. A state Agriculture Department helpline is listed on the portal (number to be verified). Confirm current details and helpline numbers on the official portal before applying.