Madhya Pradesh government is running Annapurna Scheme Seed Exchange Programme for small and marginal farmers of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe families. Under this component, farmers get high-yielding certified seed for up to one hectare of land, with a 75 percent subsidy on the seed price and a maximum limit of ₹1,500.
Farmer Welfare and Agriculture Development Department, Madhya Pradesh runs the scheme through district agriculture offices. Seed is given in exchange for the crop or seed a farmer already has, so out-of-pocket spending stays low for families who cannot buy costly improved seed.
Annapurna Scheme Seed Exchange Programme 2026 Details
Main aim of this seed exchange component is simple. Poor farming families often keep sowing old, low-yield seed year after year because buying certified seed is out of budget. This scheme breaks that cycle by taking their existing seed and giving improved variety seed of the same quantity in return, with most of the cost paid by the state.
Work on the ground is handled by Rural Agriculture Extension Officers, Janpad Panchayat committees and local Service Co-operative Societies. Targets for every district are fixed as per demand and SC/ST population, so the seed reaches villages where the need is higher. As of August 2026, the scheme rules are the same as the published department guidelines, and no closure or replacement notice has come from the department.
Scheme Highlights
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Annapurna Scheme Seed Exchange Programme |
| Level | State scheme, Madhya Pradesh |
| Eligible People | SC and ST small and marginal farmers |
| Benefit | 75 percent subsidy on seed price, up to ₹1,500 |
| Land Limit | Seed for maximum one hectare |
| Main Department | Farmer Welfare and Agriculture Development Department |
| Application Mode | Offline through local agriculture office |
| Official Website | mpkrishi.mp.gov.in |
Apply Process for Seed Exchange
Whole process is offline and runs season by season. There is no separate online form for this component, so farmers have to reach their block agriculture office in time. Steps below explain how selection and seed handover happen.
STEP 1 - Meet the Rural Agriculture Extension Officer of your village circle before the season selection date and tell him you want seed under Annapurna Scheme Seed Exchange Programme. Carry your caste certificate and land papers at this first visit itself.
STEP 2 - Officer prepares the village-wise list as per the district target. Usually about 1.5 times the target number of farmers are listed so that the full target gets covered even if some farmers drop out.
STEP 3 - Agriculture Standing Committee of the Janpad Panchayat checks this list and approves the final names. Farmers whose names are approved are informed by the extension officer.
STEP 4 - Take your existing crop or seed to the seed distribution point, which can be a Service Co-operative Society, a government farm or the Development Block office. Same quantity of certified improved seed is handed over in return.
STEP 5 - Subsidy of 75 percent is adjusted in the seed cost itself, so there is no separate claim form and no waiting for a bank payment. Keep the receipt given at the distribution point for record.
Season Wise Dates
Selection and seed handover follow fixed cut-off dates every year, so plan the visit early. For Kharif 2026, the selection date has already passed on 25 May and seed was given by 15 June. For Rabi and summer sowing, selection runs up to 31 August 2026 and seed is provided by 10 October 2026.
| Season | Selection Last Date | Seed Handover Last Date |
|---|---|---|
| Kharif | 25 May | 15 June |
| Rabi and Summer | 31 August | 10 October |
Who Can Apply
Rules for eligibility are narrow, since the scheme is meant only for farming families who cannot buy improved seed on their own. Check the points below before going to the office.
- Farmer must belong to Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe category, proved by a valid caste certificate.
- Only small and marginal farmers are covered, so landholding papers are checked at the time of selection.
- Farmer must give existing crop or seed in exchange, as this is not a free seed distribution scheme.
- Repeat applicants have to pick a different crop or a different variety from what they took in earlier years.
Benefits and Conditions
Benefit is given in the form of seed, not cash. Along with the subsidy, a few conditions decide how much seed a farmer finally gets.
- High-yielding variety seed of foodgrain crops is given, limited to the seed needed for one hectare.
- Subsidy covers 75 percent of the seed price with a top limit of ₹1,500 per farmer.
- Quantity of new seed matches the quantity of seed given for exchange.
- If a different crop is offered for exchange, its value must be at least 25 percent of the price of the certified seed being taken.
- Seed collected from farmers is auctioned through the local Agricultural Produce Market Committee and the money goes to the government treasury.
Documents Required
Paperwork is light for this scheme. Keep the caste certificate, land records such as khasra or B-1 copy showing small or marginal holding, and details of the crop or seed being offered for exchange. Aadhaar and a passport size photo are usually asked at the block office for the record register.
Other Madhya Pradesh Farmer Schemes
Farmers taking this seed benefit can also check other state support running now, such as MP Kisan Anudan Yojana for farm equipment subsidy, MP Mukhyamantri Solar Pump Yojana for irrigation, and Kisan Credit Card Pashupalan for cattle loan support.
Helpline and Contact
For doubts about selection lists or seed availability, contact the block level agriculture office or the district Deputy Director Agriculture. Farmers can also use the state farmer portal MP Kisan Portal for season notices and the Kisan Call Centre number 1800-180-1551 for general farming queries.
References
Scheme rules, subsidy limit and season dates are taken from the Annapurna Scheme Guidelines PDF published by the department, and from the Farmer Welfare and Agriculture Development Department website.
FAQ's
Who can get seed under this scheme
Small and marginal farmers of SC and ST families in Madhya Pradesh who cannot buy improved seed themselves. Caste certificate and land papers are checked at selection.
How much subsidy is given
Subsidy is 75 percent of the seed price with a maximum of ₹1,500 per farmer, adjusted directly in the seed cost.
Is there any online form for this scheme
No online form is there for the seed exchange component. Selection happens through the Rural Agriculture Extension Officer and the Janpad Panchayat committee.
Can a farmer take benefit again
Yes, but the crop or variety has to be different from what was taken in earlier years.
Is the scheme still running in 2026
Yes, the department has not issued any closure notice. Season dates for Rabi selection run up to 31 August 2026 with seed handover by 10 October 2026.
What if the farmer has more than one hectare land
Seed support is capped at the quantity needed for one hectare, even if the holding is bigger.