Rythu Bandhu
Rythu Bandhu — Telangana Farmer Investment Support Scheme
Rythu Bandhu is Telangana's direct farmer income support scheme launched in May 2018 under CM K. Chandrashekar Rao — one of India's first and largest state-level farmer income support programmes, predating PM-KISAN. It provides ₹5,000 per acre per Kharif season and ₹5,000 per acre per Rabi season — total ₹10,000/acre/year — to all landholding farmers in Telangana with no income restriction. Based on Pattadar Passbook records. Approximately 55 lakh farmers receive Rythu Bandhu with annual state outgo of ₹7,500–₹8,000 crore. After 2023 Telangana elections (BRS to Congress), the scheme was retained but under review for targeting improvements.
Key Objectives
- Provide investment support to all Telangana farmers before crop season.
- Reduce farmer dependence on moneylenders for crop input purchases.
- Ensure direct financial support without income-based targeting.
Benefits
Eligibility
- All landholding farmers in Telangana with valid Pattadar Passbook
- No income restriction — all landholders including large farmers
- Land must be registered in farmer's name in Pattadar Passbook records
- Applicable for both wet and dry land
How to Apply
Automatic — based on Pattadar Passbook records
Cheques distributed at village-level events by MLA/elected representatives
No application needed — if your name is in Pattadar Passbook, you receive Rythu Bandhu
For new landholders: update Pattadar Passbook at Dharani portal (dharani.telangana.gov.in)
Required Documents
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Telangana farmers get both PM-KISAN and Rythu Bandhu?
Yes — PM-KISAN is a central scheme and Rythu Bandhu is a Telangana state scheme. They are separate and complementary. A Telangana farmer can receive both: ₹6,000/year from PM-KISAN (family-based) and ₹10,000/acre/year from Rythu Bandhu (land-based).
What is the Pattadar Passbook and why is it needed for Rythu Bandhu?
Pattadar Passbook is Telangana's primary agricultural land ownership document — like a title deed for farmland. Rythu Bandhu uses Pattadar Passbook data to identify eligible farmers and calculate payment per acre. Update at the Dharani portal (dharani.telangana.gov.in) or nearest Mee Seva centre.