₹10,000 / Yr
₹5,000 Kharif + ₹5,000 Rabi DBT for farmers with ≥1 acre land
₹4,000 / Yr
Guaranteed floor for marginal farmers and recorded bargadars
₹2,00,000
100% state-funded grant to legal heirs for age group 18–60
1. Legislative Genesis: The Transformation to Krishak Bandhu (Natun)
Agriculture in West Bengal is characterized by highly fragmented landholdings, where over 90% of cultivators fall under the marginal and small farmer categories (operating on less than 1 hectare). In January 2019, the Department of Agriculture, Government of West Bengal, instituted the flagship Krishak Bandhu Scheme to protect vulnerable agrarian households against catastrophic climate risk, predatory non-institutional credit, and cyclical market volatility.
Recognizing escalating input costs for fertilizers, hybrid seeds, and diesel pump irrigation, the State Cabinet revamped the scheme in June 2021 into Krishak Bandhu (Natun). This historic policy amendment doubled the maximum direct income support from ₹5,000 to ₹10,000 per acre per year and doubled the statutory minimum safety net from ₹2,000 to ₹4,000 per year for marginal cultivators, registered bargadars (sharecroppers), and patta beneficiaries.
2. Structural Architecture: The Two Pillars of Krishak Bandhu
The Krishak Bandhu framework is bifurcated into two mutually independent, fully funded statutory components:
Assured Financial Assistance
Direct cash transfers released in two seasonal cycles (Kharif in June–July and Rabi in December–January). Purpose-built to provide working capital prior to seed sowing, land preparation, and fertilizer procurement.
- ✓ 1 Acre or more: ₹10,000/yr (₹5,000 × 2)
- ✓ Less than 1 Acre: Pro-rata basis
- ✓ Minimum Floor: Guaranteed ₹4,000/yr (₹2,000 × 2)
Krishak Bandhu Death Benefit
Social security life coverage providing a one-time lump-sum grant of ₹2,00,000 to the bereaved family in the unfortunate event of the demise of a registered farmer or farm laborer aged 18–60 years.
- ✓ Grant Amount: ₹2,00,000 (100% State Grant)
- ✓ Age Bracket: 18 to 60 years on date of death
- ✓ Cause: Natural, illness, or accidental death
3. Benefit Calculation Engine: Land Area vs Annual Payout Formula
Financial support is computed on a pro-rata basis at the rate of ₹10,000 per acre (100 Decimals / 1 Bigha ≈ 33 Decimals), anchored by a statutory floor of ₹4,000. Under no circumstances can an enrolled beneficiary receive less than ₹2,000 per seasonal cycle.
| Landholding (Decimals) | Landholding (Acres) | Kharif Installment (June) | Rabi Installment (Dec) | Total Annual DBT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 to 40 Decimals | 0.01 – 0.40 Acres | ₹2,000 (Min Floor) | ₹2,000 (Min Floor) | ₹4,000 |
| 50 Decimals (1.5 Bigha) | 0.50 Acres | ₹2,500 | ₹2,500 | ₹5,000 |
| 70 Decimals | 0.70 Acres | ₹3,500 | ₹3,500 | ₹7,000 |
| 100 Decimals (1 Acre) | 1.00 Acre | ₹5,000 (Max Cap) | ₹5,000 (Max Cap) | ₹10,000 |
| > 100 Decimals (2+ Acres) | > 1.00 Acre | ₹5,000 (Max Cap) | ₹5,000 (Max Cap) | ₹10,000 (Capped) |
| Recorded Bargadar / Patta | Variable / Fractional | ₹2,000 (Min Guaranteed) | ₹2,000 (Min Guaranteed) | ₹4,000 (Min Floor) |
4. Comparative Master Analysis: Krishak Bandhu vs PM-KISAN
While both programs represent direct cash transfers to rural agrarian households, profound structural differences exist regarding statutory coverage, inclusion of tenant cultivators, and life insurance safeguards. The table below delineates critical parameters:
| Parameter | WB Krishak Bandhu (Natun) | Central PM-KISAN |
|---|---|---|
| Administering Authority | Dept of Agriculture, Govt of West Bengal | Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, GoI |
| Maximum Annual Benefit | ₹10,000 per year | ₹6,000 per year |
| Installment Frequency | 2 Installments (₹5,000 each in Kharif/Rabi) | 3 Installments (₹2,000 each every 4 months) |
| Sharecropper / Bargadar Cover | Yes (Guaranteed min ₹4,000/yr) | No (Strict title deed ownership required) |
| Death Benefit Insurance | ₹2,00,000 one-time lump-sum grant | None (Pure income support only) |
| Concurrent Eligibility | Permitted: A qualifying West Bengal farmer can draw BOTH schemes simultaneously (₹10,000 + ₹6,000 = ₹16,000/yr). | |
5. Step-by-Step Application Procedure: Duare Sarkar & ADA Office
Registration under Krishak Bandhu can be completed during the state-wide Duare Sarkar outreach outreach camps or at the local Block Assistant Director of Agriculture (ADA) office. Follow this verified operational workflow:
Assemble Land Dossier & KYC Credentials
Obtain a certified computer-generated Record of Rights (RoR / Parcha) from the Banglarbhumi land records portal or local BL&LRO office. If applying as a Bargadar, obtain the verified Bargadar recording certificate. Secure Aadhaar Card, Voter Card (EPIC), and an Aadhaar-seeded bank account passbook.
Procure Application Form-1
Collect the official Krishak Bandhu registration form at the Agriculture Counter at Duare Sarkar camp free of charge. Forms are color-coded and serialized to prevent unauthorized third-party brokering.
Enter Plot Specifics & Bank Identifiers
Fill the form in Bengali or English. Accurately enter District, Block, Gram Panchayat, Mouza Name, JL Number, Khatian Number, Plot Number, and Cultivated Area (in decimals). Double-check the 11-digit bank IFSC and 16-digit account number.
Submit Dossier and Secure Acknowledgement Slip
Hand over the signed application dossier with self-attested document photocopies. Ensure the receiving officer tears off and stamps the official acknowledgement counterfoil with a registration date stamp and reference token.
Field Validation by KPS & KB ID Generation
The local Krishi Prayukti Sahayak (KPS) verifies physical land ownership against the land database. Upon sanction by the Block ADA, your profile generates a unique 10-digit Krishak Bandhu Identification Number (KB ID).
6. Krishak Bandhu Death Benefit (₹2,00,000): Statutory Claim Protocol
The death of an earning farmer creates immense distress in rural households. Under the Krishak Bandhu Death Benefit component, the Government of West Bengal guarantees ₹2,00,000 to the legal heirs. The claim must strictly follow the statutory guideline below:
Statutory Eligibility Criteria for Death Benefit
- • Age Requirement: The deceased farmer must be between 18 and 60 years of age on the date of demise.
- • Cause of Demise: All causes of death (natural, illness, heart failure, snakebite, lightning strikes, or road accidents) are covered. No exclusions except suicide.
- • Filing Timeline: The claim dossier must be submitted to the Block ADA office within 6 months from the date of death.
- • Beneficiary Definition: Enrolled Krishak Bandhu cardholders, recorded agricultural laborers, and registered bargadars qualify.
Mandatory Document Checklist for Claim
7. How to Check Krishak Bandhu Status Online via Voter Card (EPIC)
Enrolled farmers can check their application status, approval stage, and seasonal DBT payment transaction records in under two minutes using the official Department of Agriculture portal:
- Visit the official portal at krishakbandhu.wb.gov.in.
- On the homepage, click on the green banner titled "নথিভুক্ত কৃষকের তথ্য" (Nathibhukto Krishoker Tathya / Registered Farmer Information).
- In the search drop-down, select "Voter ID" (alternatively, you can search via Aadhaar, Bank Account Number, or KB ID).
- Enter your alphanumeric Voter Card (EPIC) number in the text box.
- Complete the reCAPTCHA security verification and click "Search".
Deciphering Your Portal Status Response:
• Status: Approved — Your land records and bank details are verified. You are eligible for subsequent seasonal DBT transfers.
• Transaction Status: Success — The fund transfer order (FTO) has been processed and credited directly to your bank account via PFMS/e-Kuber.
• Transaction Status: Account Validation Pending — NPCI Aadhaar seeding or IFSC matching is undergoing inter-bank clearance.
• Transaction Status: Rejected / Failed — Immediate visit to Block ADA office required with a fresh cancelled bank cheque to correct IFSC or account typo.
8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the maximum and minimum financial assistance under Krishak Bandhu (Natun) in 2026?▼
Under Krishak Bandhu (Natun), farmers with 1 acre or more of cultivable land receive ₹10,000 per year, disbursed in two equal installments of ₹5,000 each for the Kharif and Rabi cropping seasons. Farmers with less than 1 acre receive pro-rata assistance, subject to a guaranteed statutory minimum of ₹4,000 per year (₹2,000 per installment), regardless of how small their landholding is.
2. Are recorded Bargadars (sharecroppers) and Patta holders eligible for Krishak Bandhu?▼
Yes. West Bengal Krishak Bandhu is explicitly designed to include recorded Bargadars (sharecroppers) and Patta holders even if they do not own the proprietary land title. They are entitled to the minimum assured assistance of ₹4,000 per annum (or pro-rata up to ₹10,000 based on recorded cultivation rights) and full coverage under the ₹2 Lakh Death Benefit component.
3. What is the Krishak Bandhu Death Benefit Scheme and who qualifies?▼
The Krishak Bandhu Death Benefit provides a one-time lump-sum financial assistance of ₹2,00,000 (₹2 Lakh) to the legal heirs of any registered farmer or agricultural laborer aged between 18 and 60 years upon their demise (natural or accidental). The deceased must have been enrolled in Krishak Bandhu or held legitimate agrarian livelihood status.
4. Can a farmer receive both PM-KISAN (₹6,000) and Krishak Bandhu (₹10,000)?▼
Yes. West Bengal farmers are fully entitled to claim benefits under both schemes concurrently. A qualifying farmer holding 1 acre of land can receive ₹10,000 from West Bengal Krishak Bandhu plus ₹6,000 from Central PM-KISAN, totaling ₹16,000 in annual direct income support into their bank account.
5. How can I check my Krishak Bandhu status online using my Voter Card?▼
Visit the official portal at krishakbandhu.wb.gov.in, navigate to 'Nathibhukto Krishoker Tathya' (Information of Registered Farmers), select your search parameter as 'Voter ID (EPIC)', enter your 10-digit Voter Card number, solve the captcha, and click 'Search'. The system displays your Krishak Bandhu ID (KB ID), registered land acreage, status (Approved/Pending), and transaction history.
6. What documents are required to claim the ₹2 Lakh Krishak Bandhu Death Benefit?▼
The legal heir must submit: (1) Form-1 Death Benefit Claim application, (2) Certified Death Certificate of the farmer, (3) Age proof showing age between 18 and 60 at the time of death, (4) Record of Rights (RoR/Parcha) or Bargadar certificate, (5) Legal Heir Certificate from local BDO/Pradhan/Court, (6) Claimant's Aadhaar and bank passbook, and (7) Krishak Bandhu ID card copy.
7. When are the Kharif and Rabi installments credited to bank accounts?▼
The Kharif installment (₹5,000 or ₹2,000 min) is typically credited between June and July prior to monsoon sowing. The Rabi installment (₹5,000 or ₹2,000 min) is disbursed between December and January to support winter cropping and input purchases. All transfers are executed via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
8. What should I do if my Krishak Bandhu status shows 'Transaction Failed'?▼
A 'Transaction Failed' or 'Account Rejected' status generally occurs due to invalid IFSC codes from bank mergers, inactive Aadhaar NPCI bank mapping, or name mismatches. Beneficiaries must visit their local Assistant Director of Agriculture (ADA) office or Gram Panchayat Duare Sarkar desk with an updated cancelled cheque or passbook copy to rectify bank master records.
Krishak Bandhu Official Helpline & Support
• Department: Department of Agriculture, Government of West Bengal, Nabanna, Howrah - 711102.
• Official Toll-Free Helpline: 8336957370 / 8336957262 / 8336957297 (Available 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM on working days).
• Official Email Support: support.krishakbandhu@wb.gov.in / krishak.bandhu@yahoo.com
• Portal Web Address: https://krishakbandhu.wb.gov.in/