Raitha Shakti Yojana (Farmer Strength Scheme)
A per-acre diesel subsidy for farm mechanisation — ₹250 per acre, capped at 5 acres, transferred directly to the farmer's bank account via the FRUITS portal.
Run by: Department of Agriculture, Government of Karnataka
- Subsidy
- ₹250 per acre
- Cap
- 5 acres (₹1,250 max)
- Budget
- ₹500 Cr (at launch)
- Since
- March 2022
Overview
Raitha Shakti was announced in the Karnataka state budget 2022-23 and launched by then Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on 5 March 2022, with a budget allocation of ₹500 crore. The purpose is straightforward: diesel is the single largest recurring expense for a farmer who uses a tractor, pump set or harvester, and the scheme offsets a fixed part of that cost per acre. The subsidy is ₹250 per acre of cultivated land, with a ceiling of 5 acres — so the maximum a farmer receives is ₹1,250 per season.
The amount is transferred via Direct Benefit Transfer to the bank account linked to the farmer's FRUITS (Farmer Registration and Unified Beneficiary Information System) profile. FRUITS is Karnataka's single-window farmer database — registration there is the prerequisite, and farmers already enrolled for other state agriculture schemes are typically already in it. The scheme continued under the Siddaramaiah-led government after 2023.
What you get
The benefit as the state notifies it — nothing here is an estimate.
- ₹250 per acre diesel subsidy, covering land up to 5 acres (maximum ₹1,250 per farmer per season).
- Direct Benefit Transfer to bank account — no middleman, no coupon.
- Reduces the fuel cost burden of running tractors, diesel pump sets and harvesters.
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
- Permanent resident of Karnataka
- Must be a farmer cultivating own land
- Landholding of up to 5 acres of cultivated land
- Registered on the FRUITS portal (fruits.karnataka.gov.in)
- Bank account linked to FRUITS profile for DBT
Not covered
- Farmers with landholding exceeding 5 acres (subsidy is capped at 5 acres, not available for the excess)
- Non-cultivators or landowners who are not actively farming
Documents you need
Have these ready before you start — most rejections are a missing paper, not a missing right.
- Aadhaar card
- FRUITS registration ID
- RTC (Record of Rights, Tenancy and Crops) / land record
- Bank passbook linked to FRUITS
- Mobile number registered on FRUITS
How to apply
Fewer steps than a central scheme, and usually one office rather than a portal.
- 1
Register on FRUITS
If you do not have a FRUITS ID, register at fruits.karnataka.gov.in with your Aadhaar, land records and bank details. If you already have one from another scheme, it works for Raitha Shakti too.
- 2
Apply for Raitha Shakti
Log into the FRUITS portal and look for the Raitha Shakti scheme option. Fill in the required details — primarily your cultivated acreage for the season.
- 3
Verification
The agriculture department verifies your land records and cultivation status against the FRUITS database.
- 4
DBT credit
On approval, ₹250 per acre (up to 5 acres) is transferred to your linked bank account.
If something goes wrong
Missing from the list, or payment stuck — here is the channel the department itself publishes for it.
- For FRUITS registration issues, subsidy not credited, or land-record mismatches, contact the Raitha Samparka Kendra (farmer helpline) at your taluk agriculture office, or the Assistant Director of Agriculture for the district. The FRUITS portal FAQ page (fruits.karnataka.gov.in/FAQ.aspx) also covers common issues.
- Beyond the department, use the Janaspandana (iPGRS) portal — ipgrs.karnataka.gov.in — or call 1902. The Bapuji Seva Kendra in your area can also help file the complaint.
Frequently asked questions
Is Raitha Shakti a diesel coupon or a cash transfer?
Cash transfer. The ₹250 per acre is credited directly to your bank account via DBT — there is no coupon, no token and no need to buy diesel from a specific outlet.
Do I need a separate registration, or does my FRUITS ID work?
Your existing FRUITS registration works. FRUITS is the single-window farmer database for all Karnataka agriculture schemes — if you are already on it, you apply for Raitha Shakti from within the same portal.
What if I have 8 acres?
The subsidy is capped at 5 acres. You will receive ₹1,250 (5 × ₹250), not ₹2,000. The excess acreage is not subsidised.
Is this a one-time payment or seasonal?
The subsidy is linked to the cropping season. The exact frequency (once or twice a year) depends on the state's disbursement schedule — check the FRUITS portal for the current cycle.
Did the scheme continue after the 2023 change of government?
Yes. Raitha Shakti was launched under the Bommai-led government in 2022 and has continued under the Siddaramaiah-led government. The diesel subsidy disbursements continued through 2025 and 2026.
What is FRUITS?
Farmer Registration and Unified Beneficiary Information System — Karnataka's centralised farmer database at fruits.karnataka.gov.in. It links your Aadhaar, land records and bank account and is used for DBT across all state agriculture schemes.
Facts checked against raitamitra.karnataka.gov.in on 26 September 2026. editorial policy.