“In a significant boost for Indian farmers, the government has launched the 2025 Seed Subsidy Scheme to promote sustainable agriculture. The initiative offers up to 50% subsidies on high-quality seeds for pulses, oilseeds, and climate-resilient crops, targeting 7 states. With over ₹100 crore allocated, the scheme aims to enhance productivity, reduce import dependency, and ensure food security.”
New Seed Subsidy Scheme to Empower Indian Farmers
In a bid to bolster agricultural productivity and sustainability, the Indian government has rolled out the 2025 Seed Subsidy Scheme, targeting farmers in seven key states: Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Manipur, and Tripura. Announced on July 4, 2025, by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, the scheme provides subsidies of up to 50% on high-quality seeds for pulses like arhar and urad, oilseeds, and climate-resilient crop varieties. This initiative, backed by an allocation of over ₹100 crore, aims to reduce India’s reliance on imported pulses and oilseeds while ensuring farmers have access to affordable, high-yield seeds.
The scheme focuses on distributing seeds in select districts, including Palamu, Latehar, and Garhwa in Jharkhand; Mirzapur and Lalitpur in Uttar Pradesh; Gaya and Jehabad in Bihar; and Vijayapura in Karnataka. According to Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare, the government will ensure 100% procurement at Minimum Support Prices (MSP) of ₹8,000 per quintal for arhar and ₹7,800 per quintal for urad during the 2025-26 kharif marketing season, safeguarding farmers against market volatility.
This move comes amid growing concerns over groundwater depletion and the environmental impact of water-intensive crops like paddy. The scheme encourages crop diversification by promoting pulses and oilseeds, which require less irrigation. In states like Punjab and Haryana, where paddy cultivation dominates, the government is also offering incentives of ₹17,500 per hectare for farmers switching to kharif maize, aiming to divert 12,000 hectares from paddy this season.
To ensure effective implementation, the government has integrated digital platforms for seed distribution. Farmers can apply for subsidies through mobile apps linked to the Government e-Marketplace, ensuring transparency and timely delivery. Over 60% of farmers already use such apps for crop advisories and market price updates, and the scheme leverages this digital infrastructure to streamline access.
However, challenges remain. Experts highlight that while subsidies for alternative crops are promising, the lack of guaranteed markets for crops like maize discourages farmers from diversifying. In Telangana’s Jogulamba Gadwal, for instance, substandard cotton seeds have triggered a debt crisis, underscoring the need for robust quality control in seed distribution. The 2025 scheme addresses this by prioritizing certified seeds and strengthening plant variety protection to combat counterfeit seeds, ensuring farmers receive genuine, high-yield varieties.
The initiative aligns with broader agricultural reforms, including the PM-PRANAM scheme, which has reduced synthetic fertilizer use by 15.14 lakh tonnes in 2023-24, with Karnataka contributing 30% of the savings. By promoting sustainable practices and climate-resilient seeds, the Seed Subsidy Scheme is a step toward achieving the government’s ambitious target of 148.48 lakh tonnes of food grain production for 2025-26.
Disclaimer: This article is based on recent news reports and official statements from government sources, including The Indian Express, The Hindu, and Times of India. Information is subject to change as new details emerge. Farmers are advised to verify subsidy details through official government portals.