West Bengal Krishak Bandhu Scheme

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

West Bengal Krishak Bandhu Scheme is one of the flagship farmer welfare schemes launched by the Government of West Bengal to provide assured income support and social security benefits to farmers across the state. The scheme was officially launched on 1 January 2019 with the objective of reducing the financial burden on farmers and supporting agricultural activities through direct financial assistance.

Under the Krishak Bandhu (Natun) Scheme, eligible farmers having 1 acre or more cultivable land receive Rs. 10,000 annually, while small and marginal farmers having less than 1 acre land receive a minimum assured assistance of Rs. 4,000 per year. The financial assistance is released in two equal instalments for Kharif and Rabi crop seasons directly into the beneficiary's Aadhaar-linked bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode.

The scheme not only provides yearly financial support for farming activities but also offers social security coverage to farmers' families. In case of the untimely death of a registered farmer, the nominee or legal family member receives a financial assistance of Rs. 2 lakh under the Krishak Bandhu Death Benefit Scheme. This financial support helps families manage sudden economic hardship after the loss of an earning member.

Farmers possessing cultivable land records such as Record of Rights (RoR), Patta, Forest Patta, and registered Bhagchasi (sharecroppers) are eligible to apply for benefits under the scheme. The West Bengal Agriculture Department acts as the nodal department responsible for implementation, verification, beneficiary approval, and transfer of assistance amount.

Since its launch, the West Bengal Krishak Bandhu Scheme has become one of the most important agricultural support schemes in the state due to its direct income assistance, transparent DBT payment system, and farmer welfare coverage. Farmers can apply for the scheme through the prescribed Krishak Bandhu application form available at Gram Panchayat offices and Agriculture Department offices.

Latest Update Regarding Krishak Bandhu Scheme

After the recent political change in West Bengal, many farmers are waiting for clarity regarding the continuation of the Krishak Bandhu Scheme benefits. As of now, the newly formed state government has not officially confirmed whether the existing benefits under the Krishak Bandhu (Natun) Scheme will continue in the same manner or if any major changes will be introduced.

However, the new government has announced that beneficiaries of the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana in West Bengal will receive additional financial assistance from the state government. Currently, eligible PM Kisan beneficiaries receive Rs. 6,000 annually from the Central Government in three equal instalments. The newly formed state government has proposed to provide an additional assistance of Rs. 3,000 per year to PM Kisan beneficiaries of West Bengal. After adding the proposed state assistance, eligible farmers may receive a total financial assistance of Rs. 9,000 annually under PM Kisan Samman Nidhi. 

Farmers are now waiting for the official announcement regarding whether the West Bengal Government will continue the existing Krishak Bandhu Scheme benefits along with the newly proposed PM Kisan state assistance or replace it with a revised farmer support scheme.

Scheme Benefits

The Government of West Bengal provides financial and social security benefits to eligible farmers under the Krishak Bandhu Scheme. The scheme aims to reduce the financial burden on farmers and support agricultural activities throughout the year.

• Rs. 10,000 yearly financial assistance for farmers having 1 acre or more cultivable land.
• Minimum assured assistance of Rs. 4,000 per year for small and marginal farmers having less than 1 acre land.
• Financial assistance is released in two equal installments during Kharif and Rabi seasons.
• Rs. 2,00,000 death benefit is provided to the nominee or legal family member after the death of a registered farmer.
• Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) ensures transparent transfer of funds into the beneficiary bank account.

Eligibility Requirements

• Applicant must be a permanent resident farmer of West Bengal.
• Farmer should possess cultivable agricultural land.
• Eligible land categories include RoR land, Patta land, Forest Patta, and registered Bhagchasi (sharecropper).
• Age of the farmer should generally be between 18 years and 60 years for death benefit coverage.
• Applicant must have a valid Aadhaar-linked bank account.

Required Documents

• Any of the below-mentioned Land Record :-
  • Record of Right (RoR) of Cultivable Land.
  • Record of Right (RoR) recorded with Barga.
  • Patta Record.
  • Forest Patta.
• Voter ID Card. (Mandatory).
• Aadhar Card.
• First Page of Bank Passbook or Cancelled Cheque.
• Recent Passport Size Photo.
• Mobile Number.

Steps to Apply

• Eligible farmers can submit the Krishak Bandhu Scheme application form through the Gram Panchayat Office.
• For this, they need to first obtain the Krishak Bandhu Scheme Application Form.
• Farmer has to fill the form and submit it to the Gram Panchayat office in his area.
• The following documents will be attached to the application form:-
  • Latest Record of Rights (RoR) / Patta Record / Forest Patta / Recorded Bhagchasi document.
  • Aadhaar Card.
  • Voter ID Card.
  • First page of bank passbook or cancelled cheque.
  • Passport size photograph.
  • Mobile number.
• After submitting the application form and documents, an acknowledgement slip will be provided to the applicant.
• Concerned authorities will verify all details and attached documents.
• Information regarding approval or rejection of the application will be shared with the applicant through the registered mobile number.
• After successful verification, financial assistance under the West Bengal Krishak Bandhu Scheme will be transferred directly into the farmer's bank account through DBT mode.

Death Benefit Claim Procedure

In case of the untimely death of a registered farmer, the nominee or legal claimant can apply for financial assistance under the Krishak Bandhu Death Benefit Scheme.

• Claimant needs to fill the Krishak Bandhu Death Benefit Application Form.
• Duly filled application form will be submitted along with the following documents :-
  • Photocopy of any identity card of the deceased farmer:-
    • Voter ID Card.
    • Aadhar Card.
    • Pan Card.
    • Passport.
  • Photocopy of Death Certificate.
  • Claimant Certificate.
  • Record of Right (RoR) of the deceased farmer.
  • Self Declaration Form of the Claimant.
• Concerned Agriculture Department officials verify the application and attached documents.
• After successful verification, Rs. 2 lakh death benefit assistance is transferred to the claimant's bank account.

Feature of the Scheme

• Farmers will be given financial assistance in two equal instalments every year.
• Farmers having 1 acre or more cultivable land will get Rs. 5,000/- for rabi crop and Rs. 5,000/- for kharif crop.
• Farmers having less than 1 acre of cultivable land will get Rs. 2,000/- for rabi crop and Rs. 2,000/- for kharif crop.
• In case of untimely demise of the farmer, the claimant get on time grant of Rs. 2,00,000/-.
• Under the Krishak Bandhu Death Benefit Scheme, the farmers' age should be between 18 to 60 years.
• Voter ID Card is mandatory to avail the benefit of this scheme.
• The nodal bank of this scheme is West Bengal State Co-operative Bank Limited.
• Original documents must be produced by the farmer at the time of verification.

Important Forms

• West Bengal Krishak Bandhu Scheme English Application Form.
• West Bengal Krishak Bandhu Scheme Bengali Application Form.
• West Bengal Krishak Bandhu Scheme Death Benefit Application Form. (English)
• West Bengal Krishak Bandhu Scheme Death Benefit Application Form. (Bengali)
• West Bengal Krishak Bandhu Scheme Self Declaration Form.

Relevant Links

• West Bengal Krishak Bandhu Scheme Portal.
• West Bengal Krishak Bandhu Application Status.
• West Bengal Krishak Bandhu Scheme English Guidelines.
• West Bengal Krishak Bandhu Scheme Bengali Guidelines.
• West Bengal Krishak Bandhu Scheme Standard Operating Procedure.
• West Bengal Krishak Bandhu Scheme App.

Contact Information

• West Bengal Krishak Bandhu Scheme Help Line Number:- 6291720406.
• West Bengal Krishak Bandhu Scheme Helpdesk Email:- [email protected]
• Department of Agriculture, Government of West Bengal.