Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Krushi Swavalamban Yojana
Scheduled Caste and Neo-Buddhist farmers get up to ₹4 lakh for a new irrigation well, plus a package of pump, pipe, drip and more.
Run by: Agriculture Department, Government of Maharashtra
- New irrigation well
- Up to ₹4 lakh
- Old well repair
- Up to ₹1 lakh
- Land needed
- 0.40 to 6 hectares
- Who can apply
- Scheduled Caste / Neo-Buddhist farmers
Overview
A farmer with no reliable water can grow only one rain-fed crop a year. This scheme, started under a government order of 5 January 2017, gives Scheduled Caste and Neo-Buddhist farmers in Maharashtra money to build their own irrigation source. It is run by the state Agriculture Department.
In October 2024 the state government reported a cabinet decision that raised the limits and eased the rules. The limit for a new well is ₹4 lakh, and the old rule that the well must be 12 metres deep was dropped. The old rule of 500 feet between two wells was also dropped. A new well is not allowed within 500 metres of an existing drinking-water source. Repair of an old well gets up to ₹1 lakh. Lining a farm pond with plastic gets up to 90% of the cost or ₹2 lakh, whichever is lower.
One farmer can take only one of three main items — a new well, an old-well repair or a farm-pond lining — together with its package. The package for a new well can go up to ₹6.42 lakh, or ₹6.92 lakh if the farmer chooses drip instead of sprinkler. It adds in-well boring (₹40,000), electricity connection (₹20,000 or the actual charge), pump set or diesel engine (up to ₹40,000), pipes (up to ₹50,000), sprinkler (₹47,000) or drip (₹97,000), farm machinery (₹50,000) and a kitchen garden (₹5,000). A solar pump (up to ₹50,000) can replace the connection and pump.
The same decision removed the ₹1.5 lakh yearly income limit. A farmer now needs 0.40 to 6 hectares of land. The 6-hectare ceiling does not apply to families below the poverty line, and they get first priority. Farmers with less than 0.40 hectare each can join if their land together adds up to 0.40 hectare and they sign an agreement. After a farmer has taken the full benefit, the same farmer or family cannot take it again for five years. The state’s MahaDBT portal lists the scheme for applications, with a helpline on 022-61316429.
What you get
The benefit as the state notifies it — nothing here is an estimate.
- Up to ₹4 lakh for a new irrigation well, or up to ₹1 lakh to repair an old one.
- Farm-pond plastic lining: 90% of the cost or ₹2 lakh, whichever is lower.
- A package on top: in-well boring ₹40,000, electricity connection up to ₹20,000, pump set up to ₹40,000 or solar pump up to ₹50,000, pipes up to ₹50,000.
- Sprinkler set up to ₹47,000 or drip set up to ₹97,000, and farm machinery up to ₹50,000.
- Money goes to your Aadhaar-linked bank account.
Who is eligible
State schemes usually state their criteria as prose rather than a checklist. This is that prose, unpacked — the department’s verification is what decides.
You qualify if
- You must be a Scheduled Caste or Neo-Buddhist farmer, with a caste certificate from the competent authority.
- Your name must be on the 7/12 extract and the 8-A extract, with at least 0.40 hectare and at most 6 hectares of land.
- Families below the poverty line have no 6-hectare limit and get first priority.
- Two or more farmers with less than 0.40 hectare each can apply together if their land adds up to 0.40 hectare and they sign an agreement.
- You need an Aadhaar card and a bank account linked to Aadhaar.
Not covered
- A farmer or family that has already taken the full benefit — no second benefit for five years.
- Anyone who already got a similar benefit under the Special Component Plan or under central SCA or Article 275(A) funds.
- A new well within 500 metres of an existing drinking-water source.
Documents you need
Have these ready before you start — most rejections are a missing paper, not a missing right.
- Caste certificate
- 7/12 extract and 8-A extract in your name
- Aadhaar card
- Bank account linked to Aadhaar
- Land agreement, if two or more farmers join to reach 0.40 hectare
How to apply
Fewer steps than a central scheme, and usually one office rather than a portal.
- 1
Register on MahaDBT
Go to mahadbt.maharashtra.gov.in, or use the MahaDBT farmer app, and create your farmer login with Aadhaar.
- 2
Apply under this scheme
Choose Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Krushi Swavalamban Yojana in the scheme list and select the items you need. Upload the documents.
- 3
Selection
Farmers are selected on the MahaDBT portal. District pages reported a lottery for 2024-25, so an application is not a guarantee.
- 4
Build, verify and get paid
After approval, do the work as sanctioned. The agriculture office verifies it and the subsidy is paid to your bank account. Ask your Taluka Agriculture Office for details.
If something goes wrong
Missing from the list, or payment stuck — here is the channel the department itself publishes for it.
- For portal or application problems, call the MahaDBT helpline on 022-61316429 (9:45 AM to 6:15 PM). For scheme details, contact your Taluka Agriculture Office.
- To escalate, use Aaple Sarkar at grievances.maharashtra.gov.in or the CM helpline 1800 120 8040 (8 AM to 8 PM). The state aims to dispose of a complaint within 21 working days.
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply?
Only Scheduled Caste and Neo-Buddhist farmers who hold 0.40 to 6 hectares of land in their own name. Families below the poverty line have no 6-hectare limit.
Is there an income limit?
No. The October 2024 cabinet decision removed the old ₹1.5 lakh yearly income limit.
Do I get all the amounts together?
Not automatically. You pick one main item — new well, old-well repair or farm-pond lining — and get its package. The total is capped: up to ₹6.42 lakh (₹6.92 lakh with drip) for a new well, ₹3.42 lakh (₹3.92 lakh) for repair and ₹4.02 lakh (₹4.52 lakh) for pond lining.
My well already exists. Can I still get help?
Yes, for the items you still lack, within the limits. For example, electricity connection, drip or sprinkler can be sanctioned if you already have a well.
Can I take the scheme again later?
Not for five years. After a farmer or family takes the full benefit, they cannot take it again for the next five years.
Is the scheme open this year?
MahaDBT lists it for applications, and the last cabinet decision we found is from October 2024. We did not find a fresh 2026 announcement, so check the scheme list on MahaDBT or ask your Taluka Agriculture Office before you plan.
Facts checked against mahadbt.maharashtra.gov.in on 26 September 2026. editorial policy.