Krishonnati Yojana - Sub Mission on Seed And Planting Material (SMSP)

Sub Mission on Seed And Planting Material (SMSP), part of the central Krishonnati Yojana umbrella, helps farmers across India get certified and quality seed at low cost. The scheme has been running since 2014-15, and for 2026-27 the government raised the budget for Krishonnati Yojana, under which SMSP works, from ₹8,000 crore to ₹11,200 crore.

Since 2023-24, SMSP has been merged with the National Food Security and Nutrition Mission (NFSNM), and from October 2024 all agriculture ministry schemes were grouped under two umbrellas, Krishonnati Yojana and PM-RKVY, with SMSP staying under Krishonnati Yojana. The scheme still covers the full seed chain, from seed testing and storage to distribution of certified seed to farmers.

SMSP supports the entire seed production chain, from production of nucleus seed to supply of certified seed to farmers. It helps build seed testing labs, storage godowns, processing plants and greenhouses, and it runs the Seed Village Programme under which village farmers grow certified seed from foundation seed at subsidised rates. In 2024-25, the government allocated ₹270.90 crore for the seed scheme, released ₹206.86 crore to states and union territories, and spent ₹141.46 crore of that under the Seed Village Programme.

Krishonnati Yojana - Sub Mission on Seed And Planting Material (SMSP) - Introduction

Krishonnati Yojana - Sub Mission on Seed And Planting Material (SMSP) works under the Krishonnati Yojana umbrella, which the Union Cabinet reorganised on 1 October 2024. All centrally sponsored schemes of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare were grouped into two umbrella schemes, Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY) and Krishonnati Yojana, and SMSP was kept under Krishonnati Yojana. The same Cabinet decision let states move money between sub-components within the umbrella in a given financial year.

Core objectives of the scheme are given below.

• Increasing the production of certified and quality seed across the country.
• Boosting the Seed Replacement Rate (SRR) for crops such as paddy, gram, groundnut and cotton.
• Upgrading farm-saved seed through participatory seed production in over 60,000 villages.
• Strengthening public sector seed infrastructure and encouraging seed treatment.
• Modernizing seed certification as per the Seeds Bill 2004 and OECD standards.
• Supporting plant variety protection through the PPVFRA.

Key Information

Benefits

This scheme gives financial support for seed testing, storage and processing. Whether you are a farmer, a cooperative or a private seed company, there is a component for you.

Small and marginal farmers in a Seed Village can get 25% subsidy on seed storage bins, and SC and ST farmers get 33% subsidy, up to ₹3,000 for a 20 quintal bin. Private companies can get a credit-linked back-ended subsidy of 40% in general areas and 50% in hilly areas, capped at ₹150 lakh. Seed transport to north-eastern, hilly, J&K, Ladakh and tribal areas also gets subsidy under the scheme.

Eligibility

The scheme is open to small and marginal farmers as well as to organizations involved in seed production. Small and marginal farmers can join the Seed Village Programme in their village. Registered seed producers, seed companies, agricultural cooperatives and farmers with seed production experience can also apply. State agriculture departments, seed certification agencies, seed testing laboratories and seed processing units are eligible for the infrastructure components.

Application Process

Application under this scheme is done through the state agriculture department. There is no separate online form for most components, so you need to contact your local agriculture office and get your name included in the state plan for the year.

STEP 1 - Go to the office of the Agriculture Development Officer of your block or the District Agriculture Officer of your district and ask whether your area is covered under SMSP for the current year.

STEP 2 - Carry your land record (B1 khasra or land record book), Aadhaar card and active bank passbook.

STEP 3 - Fill the application form given by the office and submit it along with the copies of the documents.

STEP 4 - The department verifies the details and, once your name is approved, you get the subsidy support or seed supply as per the approved plan.

Documents

Keep these documents ready when you visit the office.

• Copy of farmer B1 khasra or land record book
• Valid Aadhaar card
• Copy of active bank passbook

References

Official sources and links for more details are given below.

• SMSP operational guidelines (PDF)
• Seeds section of the Agriculture Ministry website
• PIB reply on SMSP status and its merger with NFSNM
• PIB release on the restructuring of agriculture schemes under Krishonnati Yojana
• Union Budget 2026-27, Demand for Grants of the Agriculture Ministry
• Central Government Schemes List

FAQ's

What is the pattern of funding for seed storage facilities?

The government provides 100% funding for these facilities, covering construction, electrification and equipment.

What subsidy can private entities get for seed production?

Private entities can get a credit-linked back-ended subsidy of up to 40% in general areas and 50% in hilly areas, capped at ₹150 lakh.

Who can access the Seed Village Programme?

Local farmers, especially small and marginal landowners, can join these village groups and get training and subsidy on certified seed.

What support is there for seed testing?

The scheme gives financial support for setting up or renovating lab testing facilities, including DNA fingerprinting units.

Has SMSP been merged with any other scheme?

Yes. From 2023-24 SMSP has been merged with the National Food Security and Nutrition Mission (NFSNM), and from October 2024 it works under the Krishonnati Yojana umbrella. The scheme continues to run, and the government raised the Krishonnati Yojana budget to ₹11,200 crore for 2026-27.