Birsa Munda Krishi Kranti Yojana (Tribal Sub Plan)
Irrigation infrastructure for tribal farmers — up to ₹4 lakh for a new well, plus subsidies for repair, micro irrigation and pump sets, applied through MahaDBT.
Run by: Department of Agriculture, Government of Maharashtra
- New well
- Up to ₹4 lakh
- Well repair
- Up to ₹1 lakh
- Plastic lining
- Up to ₹2 lakh
- Who
- ST farmers only
Overview
The scheme is named after Birsa Munda and targets Scheduled Tribe farmers specifically. Its purpose is direct: give a tribal farmer a permanent water source on the farm — a well, a repaired well, a lined farm pond, a pump and the pipes to move water — so that rain-dependent land becomes irrigated land. It runs under the Tribal Sub Plan allocation of the state agriculture budget.
Applications go through the MahaDBT portal (mahadbt.maharashtra.gov.in). Selection was formerly by lottery; from 2025-26 the state shifted to a first-come-first-served model. The scheme covers all districts except Mumbai, Sindhudurg, Ratnagiri, Satara, Sangli and Kolhapur — districts with limited tribal population. The Zilla Parishad agriculture department in each district handles field verification and disbursal.
What you get
The benefit as the state notifies it — nothing here is an estimate.
- New irrigation well (Naveen Vihir): subsidy up to ₹4 lakh.
- Old well repair (Juni Vihir Durusti): subsidy up to ₹1 lakh.
- Inwell boring: up to ₹40,000.
- Pump set: up to ₹40,000; electricity connection for pump: up to ₹20,000.
- Plastic lining of farm pond: up to ₹2 lakh.
- Drip irrigation set: up to ₹97,000; sprinkler irrigation set: up to ₹47,000.
- PVC pipe: up to ₹50,000.
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
- Resident of Maharashtra, belonging to a Scheduled Tribe
- Annual family income below ₹1.5 lakh
- Landholding between 0.20 hectare and 6 hectare (minimum 0.40 hectare for a new well)
- Not in the excluded districts (Mumbai, Sindhudurg, Ratnagiri, Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur)
Not covered
- Farmers from non-tribal categories
- Landholding above 6 hectare or below 0.20 hectare
- Farmers in Mumbai, Sindhudurg, Ratnagiri, Satara, Sangli and Kolhapur districts
Documents you need
Have these ready before you start — most rejections are a missing paper, not a missing right.
- Aadhaar card
- Caste certificate (Scheduled Tribe)
- Income certificate (below ₹1.5 lakh annual)
- 7/12 extract and 8-A (land record)
- Bank passbook with IFSC
- Passport-size photograph
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 and create an account with your Aadhaar number. Complete your farmer profile.
- 2
Apply for the scheme
Log in, find "Birsa Munda Krishi Kranti Yojana" under the Agriculture Department schemes, fill the application form and upload documents.
- 3
Verification and selection
The Zilla Parishad agriculture officer verifies your land and eligibility. From 2025-26, selection follows a first-come-first-served order instead of the earlier lottery.
- 4
Subsidy disbursal
On approval, the subsidy amount is released to your bank account after the work (well construction, equipment purchase, etc.) is completed and inspected.
If something goes wrong
Missing from the list, or payment stuck — here is the channel the department itself publishes for it.
- For application status, MahaDBT login issues or subsidy delays, contact the Zilla Parishad Krishi Adhikari (Agriculture Officer) for your district, or the Taluka Agriculture Officer. The MahaDBT helpdesk is reachable at 022-49150150 / [email protected].
- Beyond the department, use the Aaple Sarkar grievance portal (grievances.maharashtra.gov.in) or the CM helpline 1800 120 8040 (toll-free, 8am–8pm). Maharashtra follows a 21 working-day disposal norm for portal complaints.
Frequently asked questions
Is this scheme only for Scheduled Tribe farmers?
Yes. It runs under the Tribal Sub Plan allocation and is exclusively for farmers with a valid ST caste certificate. A parallel scheme — Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Krishi Swavalamban Yojana — covers SC farmers with a similar benefit structure.
Can I apply for both a new well and micro irrigation under the same scheme?
Yes. The scheme covers multiple components — a farmer can apply for a new well as well as drip/sprinkler irrigation, pump set and PVC pipe. Each component has its own subsidy ceiling.
What is the minimum land required?
The general minimum is 0.20 hectare. For a new well specifically, the minimum is 0.40 hectare — the rationale being that a well on very small land is less viable.
Which districts are excluded?
Mumbai, Sindhudurg, Ratnagiri, Satara, Sangli and Kolhapur. These districts have a limited tribal farming population, and the scheme budget is focused on high-tribal-density districts.
How are beneficiaries selected — lottery or first come?
From 2025-26, the selection method has shifted to first-come-first-served (first applicant gets first priority), replacing the earlier lottery system.
When is the subsidy paid — before or after construction?
After. The subsidy is released once the work (well digging, equipment installation, etc.) is completed and inspected by the Zilla Parishad agriculture officer.
Is there an income ceiling?
Yes. The applicant's annual family income must be below ₹1.5 lakh as per the eligibility criteria on MahaDBT.
Facts checked against mahadbt.maharashtra.gov.in on 26 September 2026. editorial policy.