In January,2019 the Department of Agriculture, Govt. of West Bengal introduced the “Krishak Bandhu” Scheme with an aim to provide financial assistance to all Farmers of West Bengal for agricultural purposes and to provide social security to the farm families in the event of untimely death of the farmers. Recently the scheme has been recast and renamed as "Krishak Bandhu (Natun)". The new scheme was launched by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of West Bengal on 17th June 2021.
Direct benefit under the scheme includes financial assistance for cultivation purposeupto a maximum of Rs. 10,000 /- per annum and a minimum of 4,000/- per annum receivable in two equal installments during Kharif and Rabi seasons every year.Farmers with 1 acre or more of cultivable land are entitled for assistance of Rs.10,000/- per annum. Farmers with cultivable land holding of less than 1 acre will get assistance on pro-rata basis subject to a minimum assistance of Rs. 4,000/- .
Under "Krishak Bandhu Death Benefit" component of the scheme, in case of death of a farmer between the age of 18 to 60 years, the State Government provides one time lump sum grant of Rs. 2 lakh to the family of the deceased to ensure social security to the bereaved family.
Farmers registered in "Krishak Bandhu" scheme get preference in the State Government's paddy procurement scheme implemented by the Food & Supplies Department. The State Government is planning to extend benefits of other farmer centric government schemes to the Krishak Bandhu registered farmers.
For registration and other information about the scheme, the farmers may contact the office of the Assistant Director of Agriculture of his/her block.