Farmer income and support in India
Source: NSO Survey / Ministry of Agriculture · Last updated July 2026
Avg monthly income
₹10,218
PM-KISAN support
₹6,000/yr
The average monthly income of an agricultural household in India is ₹10,218, according to the National Statistical Office (NSO) survey. This works out to roughly ₹1.23 lakh per year — lower than the commonly cited ₹1.5 lakh figure. The income comes from multiple sources: crop production (₹3,798), wages (₹4,063), animal farming (₹1,582), non-farm business (₹641), and leasing land (₹134).
PM-KISAN: Direct income support
The government’s PM-KISAN scheme provides ₹6,000 per year to eligible farmer families, transferred directly into bank accounts in three equal instalments of ₹2,000 each. The 23rd instalment, released in June 2026, benefited over 9.49 crore farmers with more than ₹18,984 crore transferred.
Impact of PM-KISAN
- Agricultural investment: Over 92% of beneficiaries reported using the assistance for agricultural inputs like seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides.
- Income improvement: Nearly 85% of beneficiaries reported improved agricultural income and reduced dependence on informal credit.
- Women beneficiaries: More than 2.18 crore women farmers received benefits in the 23rd instalment, and women have received over ₹1.06 lakh crore cumulatively.
💡 Did you know? PM-KISAN has transferred over ₹4.47 lakh crore to farmers through 23 instalments since its launch in February 2019. In July 2026, the Union Cabinet approved its continuation from 2026-27 to 2030-31 with an outlay of ₹3.15 lakh crore.
State variations
Farmer incomes vary widely across states. According to government data presented in Parliament, Meghalaya has the highest average monthly agricultural household income at ₹29,348, while Jharkhand has the lowest at ₹4,895.
Source
National Statistical Office (NSO) 77th Round Survey; Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare; PIB releases on PM-KISAN. Figures reflect the most recent data available as of July 2026.