West Bengal Begins Kharif Season Payouts: The Government of West Bengal has rolled out the Kharif season installment of its flagship farmer welfare scheme, Krishakbandhu (New). On July 29, 2025, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced that over ₹2,630 crore has been transferred directly to the bank accounts of 1.09 crore farmers and sharecroppers in the state.
This financial support comes at a crucial juncture as the sowing season intensifies across the region, offering timely assistance to cultivators preparing for the Kharif crop cycle.
What is the Krishakbandhu (New) Scheme?
Launched in 2019 and later expanded, Krishakbandhu (New) is a comprehensive income support initiative aimed at boosting rural livelihoods and protecting farming households from financial distress. The scheme has two key components:
- Assured Income Support:
- ₹10,000 annually for farmers with one acre or more
- ₹4,000 annually for small and marginal farmers (pro-rata for holdings below one acre)
- Disbursed in two phases: before Kharif and Rabi seasons
- Death Benefit:
- ₹2 lakh one-time payment to the family of a deceased eligible farmer aged 18–60 years
This cycle alone has seen over ₹24,086 crore disbursed to Bengal’s cultivators since the scheme’s inception. More than 1.4 lakh families have received the death benefit component, totalling ₹2,920 crore.
Timing of the Payout: Addressing Urgent Agricultural Needs
The July 29 disbursal is timed to offer farmers liquidity for Kharif-related expenses such as seed procurement, fertilizers, land preparation, and labour. With the ongoing challenges of erratic monsoons, inflation in input costs, and changing crop cycles, this infusion of funds is expected to significantly aid Bengal’s agrarian communities.
The initiative complements other support programs like:
- Bangla Shasya Bima (State crop insurance)
- Amar Fasal Amar Gola (On-site paddy storage)
- Free electricity for agriculture (in select zones)
West Bengal Begins Kharif Season Payouts: Who is Eligible?
Eligibility includes:
- Resident cultivators of West Bengal
- Registered sharecroppers or bargadars
- Holders of RoR, Patta, or Forest Patta documents
Enrollment drives through government outreach like Duare Sarkar camps and Gram Panchayat facilitation have broadened access, especially among marginal farmers.
Digitalization of land records and Aadhaar-linked bank account verification ensures the seamless delivery of benefits through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.
Krishakbandhu vs PM-Kisan: A Broader Net
While the Centre’s PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi offers ₹6,000 per year to farmers with landholding records, Krishakbandhu is notable for:
- Covering sharecroppers and marginal farmers
- Having no income cap
- Offering a death benefit, which PM-Kisan lacks
Thus, Krishakbandhu fills key gaps left by national-level schemes and reflects West Bengal’s distinct agrarian demographics.
Farmer Reactions: Relief Amid Rising Costs
Across rural Bengal, the payouts have been welcomed. Farmers from Burdwan, Murshidabad, and North 24 Parganas acknowledged that the timely transfer has allowed them to avoid high-interest loans and start Kharif cultivation without delay.
A farmer from Hooghly remarked:
“I was worried about arranging seeds and labour this year. The government money arrived in my account just in time.”
However, farmers’ associations continue to demand better procurement prices, improved market access, and support during climate-induced losses.
Political Context and Implications
The rollout of Krishakbandhu benefits post-election has clear political undertones. Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress has often highlighted this scheme as proof of its pro-farmer governance, in contrast with what it terms as restrictive or insufficient central schemes.
Critics have questioned the transparency of beneficiary selection, but the government counters that extensive biometric and land record verification has reduced leakages.
Looking Ahead: Rabi Installment and Scheme Expansion
The next installment is due in December 2025, ahead of the Rabi sowing period. Additionally, the government is considering extending coverage to:
- Farm labourers
- Tenancy cultivators without formal land titles
- Women-headed agricultural households
Digital access to scheme updates, grievance redressal via e-governance portals, and village-level nodal officers are also being ramped up for better service delivery.
External Sources for Reference
- West Bengal Agriculture Department – Krishakbandhu Portal
- PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi Overview
- Duare Sarkar Program Details
- State Budget Speech 2025–26: Rural Development Highlights
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