Launched by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development & Fisheries Department, Maharashtra State in 2022-23 (vide GR dated 29th June 2022), this scheme aims to mitigate water stress in rainfed areas by promoting the construction of individual farm ponds. With 82% of the state’s agricultural land being rainfed, farm ponds play a critical role in providing protective irrigation and reducing crop losses due to uneven rainfall. Under this scheme, eligible farmers receive a subsidy ranging from a minimum of ₹14,433 to a maximum of ₹75,000, based on the size of the farm pond. The scheme is implemented online through the Maha-DBT portal, and the subsidy is credited via the PFMS system directly to the farmer’s Aadhaar-linked bank account. Farm ponds may be of two types—those with inlet-outlet systems and those without.
Benefits
• Subsidy Range: Individual farmers receive between ₹14,433 and ₹75,000 depending on the size of the farm pond.
• Protective Irrigation: Helps mitigate water stress and prevents crop losses in rainfed areas.
• Efficient Disbursement: Subsidy is transferred through the PFMS system to the farmer’s Aadhaar-linked bank account.
Eligibility
• The farmer must hold at least 0.20 hectares of land in the Kokan region and 0.40 hectares in the rest of Maharashtra.
• The applicant’s land must be technically suitable for digging a farm pond, ensuring natural runoff capture and recharge.
• The farmer should not have availed any previous subsidy for a farm pond, community tank, or bodi in paddy bunding under any government scheme.
Application Process
Online
• Step 1: Complete Farmer Registration on the Maha-DBT portal.
• Step 2: Select user type and complete Aadhaar authentication.
• Step 3: Complete your profile by providing mobile number, address, and land holding details.
• Step 4: Apply for the Individual Farm Pond by selecting:
– Scheme: Chief Minister Sustainable Agriculture Irrigation Scheme
– Farm pond type (with inlet-outlet or without inlet-outlet)
– Farm pond size
• Step 5: Submit your application via the portal at https://mahadbt.maharashtra.gov.in/.
Documents Required
• No additional documents are required for this scheme.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What are the scheme benefits?
A: Farmers receive a subsidy ranging from ₹14,433 to ₹75,000 based on the size of their individual farm pond.
Q: How much financial assistance is given under the scheme?
A: The subsidy ranges between ₹14,433 and ₹75,000.
Q: How is the subsidy disbursed?
A: The subsidy is credited through the PFMS system directly to the farmer’s Aadhaar-linked bank account after the completion of the farm pond.
Q: If there is a joint land holding, can the scheme benefit be availed?
A: Specific guidelines for joint land holdings are provided in the scheme; typically, individual benefits apply to a single farmer, so eligibility must be confirmed as per the official criteria.
Q: What if the farmer has less than 0.20 ha in the Kokan area or less than 0.40 ha in the rest of Maharashtra?
A: Farmers not meeting the minimum land requirement are not eligible for the subsidy under this scheme.
Q: Who is eligible for the subsidy?
A: Eligible farmers are those who meet the landholding criteria and have not previously availed a subsidy for a farm pond or related structures under any government scheme.
Q: How can I apply for the scheme?
A: Applications are made online via the Maha-DBT portal.
Q: How will I know if my application is accepted or rejected?
A: Beneficiaries are selected online, and the status of the application can be tracked through the Maha-DBT portal.
Q: Can I apply for multiple schemes at once?
A: The scheme guidelines generally restrict the benefit to a one-time grant per farmer; details on multiple applications should be verified on the portal.
Q: What if I am unable to submit all required documents?
A: Since no documents are required for this scheme, this concern is minimized; however, ensure that all registration and land details are accurate.
Q: Can I apply offline?
A: The scheme accepts applications only online via the Maha-DBT portal.
Q: When should the farmer start digging the farm pond?
A: The farm pond should be constructed after the application is approved and in accordance with the scheme guidelines.
Q: When will the subsidy fund be credited to my bank account?
A: The subsidy is credited after completion of the farm pond as per the PFMS system.
Sources and References
• Chief Minister Sustainable Agriculture Irrigation Scheme GR