Mera Pani Meri Virasat Yojana is a crop diversification scheme launched by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Haryana, during the Kharif 2020 season to encourage farmers to shift from water-intensive paddy cultivation to alternative crops for groundwater conservation. The Government of Haryana provides Rs. 8,000 per acre incentive to eligible farmers for the Kharif 2025 season. Farmers register and apply through the official Meri Fasal Mera Byora Portal at fasal.haryana.gov.in.
Haryana Mera Pani Meri Virasat Yojana Highlights | |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Mera Pani Meri Virasat Yojana |
| Launched | Kharif 2020 Season |
| Implementing Department | Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Haryana |
| Main Objective | Encourage crop diversification from water-intensive paddy to alternative crops for groundwater conservation |
| Incentive for Kharif | Rs. 8,000 per acre for the shift from paddy to alternative crops |
| Incentive for Horticulture Crops | Rs. 7,000 per acre plus additional Horticulture Department grants |
| Minimum Diversification Required | 50% of the last Kharif paddy area |
| Not Eligible | Farmers who shifted from paddy in the last 4 years |
| Crop Procurement | All alternative crops procured at MSP |
| Irrigation Subsidy | 80% subsidy on micro-irrigation and drip irrigation equipment |
| Crop Insurance | The government pays the farmer’s share for crop insurance |
| Kharif 2025 Target | 1 lakh acres across Haryana |
| Alternative Crops Covered | Maize, Cotton, Pulses, Oilseeds, Vegetables, Fodder, Horticulture, Agro-forestry, Bajra |
| Dark Zone Blocks | Ratia, Siwan, Guhla, Pipli, Shahabad, Babain, Ismailabad, Sirsa |
| Tubewell Restriction | Farmers with 50 HP or above tubewell motor are not allowed to grow paddy |
| Panchayat Restriction | Village Panchayats with groundwater below 35 meters cannot permit paddy on their lands |
| Payment Mode | DBT directly to the Aadhaar-linked bank account after procurement season verification |
| MFMB Registration | Mandatory before applying |
| Application Portal | fasal.haryana.gov.in |
| Official Scheme PDF | agriharyana.gov.in |
| Helpline | 1800-180-2117 (Monday to Friday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM) |
| mfmb-agri@hry.gov.in | |
Introduction of Haryana Mera Pani Meri Virasat Yojana: A Brief Insight
Haryana is one of India’s largest paddy-producing states, but paddy cultivation consumes enormous amounts of groundwater. In many blocks across Haryana, the water table has already gone below 40 meters, a level at which sustainable farming becomes seriously threatened. If unchecked, this depletion will leave future generations of farmers with no water to irrigate their fields. Mera Pani Meri Virasat Yojana directly addresses this crisis by incentivising farmers to move away from paddy and adopt crops that demand far less water.
The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Haryana, launched the scheme during the Kharif 2020 season. For Kharif 2025, the Government of Haryana increased the incentive to Rs. 8,000 per acre for farmers who shift from paddy to alternative crops. Farmers switching to fruits and vegetables receive Rs. 7,000 per acre plus additional grants from the Horticulture Department. The scheme also covers all alternative crops at Minimum Support Price (MSP), provides 80% subsidy on micro-irrigation equipment, and the Government pays the farmer’s share for crop insurance. The government set a target of covering 1 lakh acres across Haryana under the scheme for Kharif 2025.
To be eligible, farmers must be registered on the Meri Fasal Mera Byora (MFMB) portal and must have cultivated paddy in the previous Kharif season. A minimum of 50% of the last Kharif paddy area must be diverted to alternative crops. Farmers who have already shifted away from paddy in the last 4 years are not eligible. In dark zone blocks where groundwater has gone below 40 meters, paddy restrictions are strictly enforced. Farmers operating tubewells with 50 HP or above electric motor cannot grow paddy. Alternative crops covered include Maize, Cotton, Pulses, Oilseeds, Vegetables, Fodder, Horticulture crops, and Agro-forestry. All registrations and incentive claims are processed through the MFMB portal at fasal.haryana.gov.in.
Haryana farmers who want to further strengthen their farm income alongside this scheme can check eligibility under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, which provides Rs. 6,000 per year in three instalments directly to eligible farmer families across India. Farmers looking to modernise their agricultural equipment can explore the Government of Haryana’s E-Tractor Subsidy Scheme, which provides up to Rs. 5 lakh subsidy on electric tractors to all eligible individual farmers. SC category farmers in Haryana can also check the Tractor Subsidy Scheme for SC Farmers, which provides Rs. 3 lakh subsidy on conventional diesel tractors of 45 HP and above exclusively for Scheduled Caste farmers.
Farmers, agricultural families, and anyone looking for more crop diversification schemes, farming subsidies, irrigation support, and agricultural welfare programmes in Haryana can also explore other available schemes under our Haryana Government Welfare Schemes List section.
Benefits Provided to Eligible Farmers
Mera Pani Meri Virasat Yojana provides financial incentives and additional support to Haryana farmers who shift from water-intensive paddy cultivation to alternative crops.
Financial Incentive
- Rs. 8,000 per acre incentive for farmers shifting from paddy to alternative crops during the Kharif 2025 season
- Rs. 7,000 per acre incentive plus additional grants from the Horticulture Department for farmers shifting to fruits and vegetables
- Incentive disbursed directly into the farmer’s bank account through DBT after the procurement season, based on verification reports from the portal
Crop Procurement and Price Support
- All alternative crops, including Maize, Pulses, Cotton, and Oilseeds, procured by the Government at Minimum Support Price (MSP)
- Maize drying machines are provided in mandis to ensure farmers get fair market prices
Irrigation Support
- 80% subsidy on micro-irrigation and drip irrigation equipment for farmers adopting alternative crops
- Farmers installing irrigation tools for new alternative crops pay only the GST component of the equipment cost
Insurance Support
- The government pays the farmer’s share for crop insurance for alternative crops grown under the scheme
Alternative Crops Covered Under Mera Pani Meri Virasat Yojana
Farmers shifting from paddy can choose any of the following alternative crops under the scheme. All crops are procured at Minimum Support Price (MSP) by the Government of Haryana.
Field Crops
- Maize
- Cotton
- Bajra
- Arhar (Pigeon Pea)
- Moong (Green Gram)
- Urad (Black Gram)
- Sesame (Til)
- Sunflower and Other Oilseeds
Vegetables and Horticulture
- Seasonal vegetables
- Fruits and horticultural crops
- Farmers shifting to vegetables and fruits receive Rs. 7,000 per acre plus additional grants from the Horticulture Department
Fodder Crops
- Green fodder crops for livestock
- Fallow land is also eligible for an incentive
Agro-forestry
- Poplar trees
- Eucalyptus trees
- Other approved tree species under agro-forestry
Farmers can check the complete and latest approved alternative crop list and district-wise targets on the official Agriculture Department Haryana portal at agriharyana.gov.in before registering for the current Kharif season.
Eligibility Conditions Required to be Fulfilled
The following eligibility conditions apply to farmers seeking an incentive under Mera Pani Meri Virasat Yojana as per the official guidelines of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Haryana.
Basic Eligibility
- Applicant must be a permanent resident of Haryana
- Applicant must be registered on the Meri Fasal Mera Byora (MFMB) portal
- Applicant must have cultivated paddy in the previous Kharif season
- Applicant must diversify a minimum of 50% of the last Kharif paddy area to alternative crops
- Farmers who participated in the scheme in previous years and are continuing crop diversification are also eligible
- Farmers leaving their paddy fields fallow during the current season are also eligible
Special Restrictions in Dark Zone Blocks
- In notified dark zone blocks where the groundwater level has gone below 40 meters, paddy cultivation restrictions are strictly enforced
- Farmers operating tubewells with 50 HP or above electric motor are not allowed to grow paddy
- Village Panchayats in areas where groundwater is deeper than 35 meters do not permit paddy cultivation on Gram Panchayat lands
- Paddy cultivation is not allowed in new areas where paddy was not cultivated in the preceding year
Who Is Not Eligible
- Farmers who have already shifted away from paddy in the last 4 years
- Farmers who diversify less than 50% of their last year’s paddy area in the notified dark zone blocks
- Farmers operating tubewells with 50 HP or above electric motor who continue to grow paddy
- Farmers who are not registered on the MFMB portal
- Farmers who are not permanent residents of Haryana
Documents Required to be Attached
Farmers applying for Mera Pani Meri Virasat Yojana must keep the following documents ready before registering on the official Meri Fasal Mera Byora portal.
- Aadhaar Card of the applicant
- Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP) Family ID Card
- Land ownership documents or cultivation proof confirming paddy cultivation in the previous Kharif season
- Bank account details with IFSC code linked with Aadhaar for DBT payment
- Meri Fasal Mera Byora (MFMB) registration details
- Mobile number registered with Aadhaar
Important: Farmers must complete their registration on the MFMB portal at fasal.haryana.gov.in before applying for the scheme. Incentive is disbursed after the procurement season based on verification reports generated from the portal.
How Farmers Can Apply to Avail the Benefit of this Scheme
Mera Pani Meri Virasat Yojana registration is done through the official Meri Fasal Mera Byora (MFMB) portal. Farmers must complete MFMB registration before applying for the scheme incentive.
Step 1: Visit the official Meri Fasal Mera Byora portal at fasal.haryana.gov.in and log in using your registered mobile number and OTP.
Step 2: If not already registered on MFMB, complete registration first by entering Aadhaar number, Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP) Family ID, land details, and bank account details linked with Aadhaar.
Step 3: After logging in, navigate to the Mera Pani Meri Virasat scheme registration section on the portal dashboard.
Step 4: Enter all required details, including land details confirming paddy cultivation in the previous Kharif season, area to be diverted from paddy to alternative crops, and the selected alternative crop.
Step 5: Ensure that the area declared for crop diversification is at least 50% of the total paddy area cultivated in the previous Kharif season. Applications with less than 50% diversification in notified dark zone blocks will not be eligible for the incentive.
Step 6: Upload all required documents, including Aadhaar Card, land ownership or cultivation proof, and bank account details. Verify all entered details carefully before final submission.
Step 7: Submit the application on the MFMB portal before the last date announced by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare for the current Kharif season.
Step 8: After cultivation, the concerned department officials conduct field verification of the alternative crops grown by the registered farmer.
Step 9: After the procurement season, the incentive amount is released based on verification reports generated from the portal. The incentive is transferred directly into the farmer’s Aadhaar-linked bank account through DBT.
Step 10: Farmers can also register offline through the nearest Common Service Centre (CSC) or by visiting the District Agriculture Office with all required documents for assistance with MFMB registration and scheme enrollment.
Important: Farmers must check the latest district-wise targets and application deadlines announced by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Haryana at agriharyana.gov.in before applying each Kharif season as targets and deadlines are notified annually. For any queries, contact the helpline at 1800-180-2117 available Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Important Links Available
- Meri Fasal Mera Byora Portal, Official Registration Portal for Mera Pani Meri Virasat Yojana.
- Mera Pani Meri Virasat Yojana Official Scheme PDF, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
- Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of Haryana Official Portal.
Contact Details in Case of Help Needed
Farmers facing issues related to Mera Pani Meri Virasat Yojana registration, incentive payment, MFMB portal, or scheme-related queries can contact the following official channels.
- Helpline: 1800-180-2117 (Monday to Friday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM)
- Email: mfmb-agri@hry.gov.in
- Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Haryana
Krishi Bhawan, Sector 21,
Budanpur, Panchkula 134117,
Haryana - For local queries: Contact the nearest Deputy Director of Agriculture or the District Agriculture Office in your district
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. What is Mera Pani Meri Virasat Yojana?
Ans. Mera Pani Meri Virasat Yojana is a crop diversification scheme launched by the Government of Haryana during the Kharif 2020 season to encourage farmers to shift from water-intensive paddy cultivation to alternative crops and conserve rapidly depleting groundwater across the state.
Q. Which department implements this scheme?
Ans. The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Haryana, implements the scheme through the official Meri Fasal Mera Byora portal.
Q. What is the incentive under this scheme for Kharif 2025?
Ans. Farmers who shift from paddy to alternative crops receive Rs. 8,000 per acre incentive for the Kharif 2025 season. Farmers shifting to fruits and vegetables receive Rs. 7,000 per acre plus additional grants from the Horticulture Department.
Q. What is the minimum diversification required to avail the incentive?
Ans. Farmers must diversify a minimum of 50% of their last Kharif paddy area to alternative crops to be eligible for the incentive. Farmers who diversify less than 50% in notified dark zone blocks are not eligible.
Q. Which alternative crops are covered under the scheme?
Ans. The scheme covers Maize, Cotton, Pulses including Arhar, Moong, and Urad, Oilseeds including Sesame, Vegetables, Fodder crops, Horticulture crops, Agro-forestry including Poplar and Eucalyptus, and Bajra as alternative crops to paddy.
Q. Will alternative crops be procured at MSP?
Ans. Yes. All alternative crops, including Maize, Pulses, Cotton, and Oilseeds grown under the scheme are procured by the Government of Haryana at Minimum Support Price (MSP).
Q. Are farmers who left paddy fields fallow eligible?
Ans. Yes. Farmers who leave their paddy fields fallow during the current Kharif season are also eligible for the incentive under the scheme.
Q. Are farmers who have already shifted from paddy in previous years eligible?
Ans. Farmers who shifted away from paddy in the last 4 years are not eligible for the incentive. However, farmers who participated in the scheme in previous years and are continuing crop diversification remain eligible.
Q. What is a dark zone block under this scheme?
Ans. Dark zone blocks are areas in Haryana where the groundwater level has gone below 40 meters, making paddy cultivation unsustainable. In these blocks, paddy cultivation restrictions are strictly enforced and farmers are strongly encouraged to adopt alternative crops.
Q. Can farmers with high HP tubewells grow paddy?
Ans. No. Farmers operating tubewells with 50 HP or above electric motor are not allowed to grow paddy under this scheme.
Q. What irrigation support does the scheme provide?
Ans. The scheme provides 80% subsidy on micro-irrigation and drip irrigation equipment. Farmers installing irrigation tools for new alternative crops pay only the GST component of the equipment cost.
Q. How is the incentive paid to farmers?
Ans. The incentive is transferred directly into the farmer’s Aadhaar-linked bank account through DBT after the procurement season, based on verification reports generated from the MFMB portal.
Q. Where can farmers apply for this scheme?
Ans. Farmers can apply online through the official Meri Fasal Mera Byora Portal at fasal.haryana.gov.in or through the nearest Common Service Centre or District Agriculture Office for offline assistance.
Q. Is MFMB registration mandatory for this scheme?
Ans. Yes. Farmers must be registered on the Meri Fasal Mera Byora portal before applying for the scheme incentive. Without MFMB registration, the application cannot be submitted.
Tabassum is a government schemes researcher and writer with 5 years of experience tracking Central and State welfare programmes across India. She has covered 500+ schemes spanning agriculture, women welfare, education, and housing, helping lakhs of beneficiaries understand their entitlements in simple language.