Kerala Farmers' Welfare Fund Board Scheme

Why it matters

Contribute a small monthly amount and the government matches it, building you a pension plus sickness, disability, maternity and education benefits.

What you get

Established under the Kerala Farmers' Welfare Fund Act, 2019, this contributory welfare-fund scheme covers farmers owning between 5 cents and 15 acres of land (with some higher limits for plantation crops like rubber, coffee, tea and cardamom up to 7.5 acres) and an annual income below ₹5 lakh, whose main livelihood has been farming for at least three years. Members pay a one-time registration fee of ₹100 and a minimum monthly contribution of ₹100, which the state government matches with an equivalent contribution of up to ₹250. Members who contribute for at least five years without arrears and reach 60 years of age become entitled to a pension proportional to their contribution, alongside sickness benefit, disability benefit, medical assistance, marriage and maternity allowance, education assistance, and posthumous benefits for the family. The scheme also covers vegetable farmers, nursery farmers, gardeners, medicinal plant cultivators, and farmers engaged in fish/ornamental fish breeding, beekeeping, poultry, dairy, duck, goat, rabbit and pig rearing.

Eligibility criteria

• Owner, licensee, sole proprietor, oral tenant, or government-land lessee farmer in Kerala owning between 5 cents and 15 acres (up to 7.5 acres for plantation crops)
• Annual income below ₹5 lakh with farming as the main livelihood for at least 3 years
• Willingness to pay the ₹100 registration fee and ongoing ₹100/month minimum contribution

How to apply

1. 1

   Register with the Kerala Farmers' Welfare Fund Board at the local Krishi Bhavan or online portal

2. 2

   Pay the registration fee and begin monthly contributions

3. 3

   After 5 years of contribution and reaching age 60, apply for pension; sickness/disability/education benefits can be claimed anytime as per eligibility

Documents required

• Aadhaar card
• Land ownership/tenancy documents
• Income certificate
• Bank passbook