Krishak Bandhu Prakalpa is a flagship scheme of the West Bengal government in India, aimed at providing financial assistance and support to farmers in the state. Launched in 2019, the scheme has gained immense popularity among the farming community due to its direct benefits transfer approach and comprehensive coverage.
What is Krishak Bandhu Prakalpa?
Krishak Bandhu Prakalpa is a welfare scheme designed to address the financial needs of farmers in West Bengal. Under this scheme, the state government provides direct financial assistance to farmers, enabling them to invest in their agricultural activities and improve their livelihoods.
Key Features:
- Financial Assistance: The scheme provides a direct cash transfer of โน10,000 per acre of landholding per year to eligible farmers. This amount is disbursed in two equal installments of โน5,000 each.
- Coverage: The scheme covers all farmers in West Bengal, including small and marginal farmers, as well as sharecroppers and agricultural laborers.
- Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): The financial assistance is directly transferred to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries through the DBT mode, ensuring transparency and efficiency.
- Crop Insurance: Krishak Bandhu Prakalpa also includes a crop insurance component, providing financial security to farmers in case of crop loss due to natural calamities or other unforeseen circumstances.
- Death Benefit: In the unfortunate event of the death of a registered farmer, their family is entitled to a one-time compensation of โน2 lakh.
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Eligibility Criteria:
To be eligible for Krishak Bandhu Prakalpa, farmers must meet the following criteria:
- Resident of West Bengal: The applicant must be a resident of West Bengal.
- Landholding: The applicant must own or cultivate land in West Bengal.
- Registered Farmer: The applicant must be a registered farmer with the state government’s Department of Agriculture.
- No Government Employee: The applicant should not be a government employee or a recipient of any other government pension scheme.
How to Apply:
Farmers can apply for Krishak Bandhu Prakalpa through the official website of the West Bengal Department of Agriculture or by visiting their nearest Block Development Office (BDO). The application process involves submitting necessary documents, such as land ownership proof, an Aadhaar card, bank account details, and a voter ID card.
Benefits :
- Financial Support: The scheme provides much-needed financial support to farmers, enabling them to invest in seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and other inputs.
- Increased Productivity: By providing financial assistance, the scheme helps farmers adopt modern agricultural practices and improve their productivity.
- Improved Livelihoods: The scheme contributes to improving the livelihoods of farmers and their families.
- Social Security: The death benefit component provides a sense of security to the families of farmers.
Impact of Krishak Bandhu Prakalpa:
Krishak Bandhu Prakalpa has had a significant positive impact on the agricultural sector in West Bengal. The scheme has helped farmers to overcome financial constraints, adopt modern farming techniques, and increase their income. It has also contributed to improving the overall agricultural productivity in the state.
Conclusion:
Krishak Bandhu Prakalpa is a commendable initiative by the West Bengal government to support the farming community. The scheme’s comprehensive coverage, direct benefit transfer approach, and additional benefits like crop insurance and death benefits make it a valuable tool for empowering farmers and promoting agricultural development in the state.
