Overview of the Bharat Vistar Yojana Program (BVY): Benefits and Assistance for Indian Farmers

Central and state governments are implementing several programs to provide financial support to farmers and increase their income. Some of these initiatives involve direct financial assistance, while others offer subsidies. This overview presents five such schemes through which the state provides economic support to agriculture.

The PM-KUSUM program assists farmers in installing solar pumps or modernizing existing agricultural pumps to solar equipment. According to the National Portal, central support can range from 30% to 50% of the costs in ordinary states, with additional funds potentially available from state government programs.

Under PMKSY (Pre Drop More Crop), financial assistance of up to 55% is provided to small and marginal landholders for drip and sprinkler irrigation systems, while other farmers receive 45%.

Subsidies are also available for the purchase of agricultural machinery, such as tractors and silo cultivators, under the SMAM program. The DBT portal functions for this purpose in 2026-27, and states accept applications according to their own targets.

In horticulture, the MIDH program provides a credit-linked subsidy of up to 50% for commercial horticulture projects in protected environments, with the possibility of receiving a subsidy of up to 100 million rupees per project.

PM-KISAN Program

Under the PM-KISAN program, eligible farmers receive annual assistance of 6000 rupees, disbursed in three equal installments directly into their bank accounts. This scheme is overseen by the central government.

It is important to note that the actual subsidy amount depends on the farmer's category, state, land area, type of machinery or project, cost limits, and regional programs. To benefit from these programs, applicants must apply on the official websites of the respective schemes and thoroughly verify their eligibility and required documentation.

Income from agriculture depends not only on a good harvest. Sometimes the costs for seeds and fertilizers increase, sometimes the weather nullifies all the efforts of farmers, and sometimes the most difficult task is attracting funds for running the farm. In such situations, if farmers can take advantage of certain government programs, their financial burden can be significantly reduced. It is important to note that these programs provide not only support in agriculture but also protection against debt and financial security in old age.

Let's look at four government initiatives that are useful for farmers:

During the agricultural season, farmers need funds to purchase seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and other necessary materials. The PM-KISAN program helps during this period. According to this program, the central government provides financial assistance of 6000 rupees annually to eligible farmers. This amount is transferred in three equal installments of 2000 rupees directly to the farmer's bank account, which can use this money to cover urgent agricultural expenses. Some regional governments also provide additional financial support on top of the PM-KISAN amount.

The main concern for a farmer is the harvest. After great effort and expense, if the crop is destroyed due to flooding, drought, heavy rain, or pest infestation, it will be difficult for the farmer to cover even their initial costs, let alone make a profit. The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) program is designed to protect farmers from such risks. Farmers can insure their crops at a reduced premium. Depending on established rules and the circumstances of the damage, the insurance provides financial assistance, which can reduce the financial burden on the farmer in case of total crop loss.

Another serious problem for farmers is ensuring financial stability in old age. The PM-Kisan Mandhan Yojana (PM-KMY) program can be useful for solving this problem. Small and marginal farmers aged between 18 and 40 can join this program. The farmer makes monthly contributions according to their age. Upon reaching 60 years of age, a pension payment of 3000 rupees per month is provided, guaranteeing a certain income in old age, even if agricultural earnings decrease.

Sometimes a farmer needs money before sowing, but the funds do not arrive on time. In such a situation, the Farmer Credit Card (KCC) is very useful. With it, a farmer can take out a loan directly from the bank for agricultural needs and related activities. Financial support is provided not only for crop needs but also for animal husbandry. Depending on compliance with requirements and rules, relief on the loan interest rate is provided. The advantage of this tool is that it helps the farmer reduce dependence on expensive loans from moneylenders to cover farming expenses.

Analyzing these four programs, it is clear that each one addresses the specific needs of the farmer. 'PM-KISAN' helps with initial farming expenses, the crop insurance program reduces the risk of losses from natural disasters and bad weather, 'Kisan Mandhan' provides a pension in old age, and 'Kisan Credit Card' helps meet the need for credit to run agriculture.