This page shows the current applicable minimum wage for workers employed in Agriculture in Karnataka. Whether you hire farm hands for a single harvest or work in the fields yourself, the rates below reflect what the Karnataka government has notified for this scheduled employment.
Minimum wage rates for Agriculture in Karnataka
| Category of worker | Zone I | Zone II | Zone III | Zone IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Un-skilled | ₹620.66 | ₹599.43 | ₹579.22 | ₹559.97 |
| Semi-skilled | ₹665.22 | ₹641.88 | ₹619.65 | ₹598.47 |
| Skilled | ₹714.25 | ₹688.57 | ₹664.11 | ₹640.82 |
| Highly-skilled | ₹768.18 | ₹739.93 | ₹713.03 | ₹687.41 |
Rates effective 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027.
What counts as Agriculture
Agriculture as a scheduled employment covers work involved in the cultivation of land and the raising of crops, along with allied farm operations such as horticulture, floriculture, farm-based dairy and cattle rearing, poultry, and the harvesting, grading, and storage of produce. It applies to manual and machine-assisted work carried out on farms, orchards, plantations, and nurseries rather than to downstream food processing in factories.
- Crop farms and cultivated fields
- Horticulture, floriculture, and plant nurseries
- Orchards, vineyards, and plantations
- Dairy, cattle, and livestock farms
- Poultry and hatchery units
- Seed farms and agricultural research or demonstration plots
- On-farm cold storage, grading, and packing yards
Typical roles and skill categories
- Field labourer or farm hand
- Ploughman and tractor operator
- Sower and transplanter
- Harvester and crop picker
- Irrigation attendant or pump operator
- Sprayer of fertilisers and pesticides
- Dairy or cattle attendant
- Nursery gardener or mali
- Farm supervisor or agricultural overseer
In Agriculture, unskilled work usually covers general field hands, weeders, and load carriers; semi-skilled covers irrigation attendants, sprayers, and dairy or poultry handlers; skilled covers tractor and pump operators, grafters, and nursery gardeners. Highly skilled typically covers roles such as farm-machinery mechanics and supervisors who plan and oversee agricultural operations.
Who fixes this wage
Agriculture is a notified scheduled employment for which the Karnataka government fixes minimum wages by skill category, and in many cases by zone or region, so the rate that applies depends on the worker's skill grade and the location of the farm. Employers engaging agricultural workers in Karnataka are required to pay at least the notified minimum for the relevant category.
How Karnataka sets minimum wages
Karnataka fixes minimum wages under its Shops and Commercial Establishments schedule, dividing the state into four zones numbered I to IV. Rates are set for four categories of worker and are kept current through a variable dearness allowance rather than a fresh base notification each period. The dearness-allowance revision applies from 1 April 2026 and runs through to 31 March 2027.
Common questions
What is the current minimum wage for Agriculture in Karnataka?
In Karnataka, the minimum wage for Agriculture currently runs from about ₹559.97 to ₹768.18 per day, depending on skill category and zone, effective 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027. The exact figure by category is in the table below. Confirm the exact rate for your worker's skill category and zone in the table above, and against the latest official notification.
Does the Agriculture minimum wage apply to seasonal and daily-wage farm workers in Karnataka?
Yes, the notified rates cover workers engaged in agricultural operations whether they are hired on a daily basis, for a season, or for a full crop cycle, as long as the work falls within this scheduled employment.
Are allied activities like dairy, poultry, and horticulture treated as part of Agriculture?
In most Karnataka notifications, allied farm operations such as horticulture, floriculture, dairy tending, and poultry are read together with crop cultivation, but employers should confirm the exact scope of the applicable Karnataka schedule since coverage can vary.
Can wages differ within Karnataka for the same agricultural role?
Yes, because the Karnataka government often fixes rates by zone or region in addition to skill grade, the same role can carry a different minimum wage depending on where the farm is located.
Never underpay in Karnataka
ZeniaHR maps every worker to the correct minimum-wage notification by state, skill and zone, and flags anyone paid below it.
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