FARMERS TO GET Rs. 22,500 FOR LOSS

FARMERS TO GET Rs. 22,500 FOR LOSS

24-OCT-ENG 2

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

PATNA-----------------------In Bihar, flood-affected farmers will receive an 'agricultural input grant' to compensate for crop damage. Eligible farmers from 289 panchayats across 9 districts can submit their applications online until October 25, 2026. Agriculture Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha announced that the Bihar government will provide financial assistance under the 'Agricultural Input Grant Scheme' to help flood-affected farmers recover from crop losses. The Agriculture Department has invited online applications to provide relief to farmers impacted by the floods, which were caused by rising river water levels in the last week of September 2026. Eligible farmers from 289 identified panchayats across 43 blocks in 9 districts of the state can apply until October 25, 2026. Vijay Kumar Sinha stated that it is the government's priority to provide relief to affected farmers by compensating them for crop damage caused by the floods. Through the Agricultural Input Grant Scheme, financial aid will be provided to help farmers overcome the hardships resulting from crop loss and to ensure that future agricultural activities can continue smoothly. He urged eligible farmers to apply within the stipulated timeframe to avail the benefits of the scheme. Sinha noted that the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi—focused on farmer welfare, a self-reliant India (*Atmanirbhar Bharat*), and a prosperous agricultural sector—is being upheld by the 'double-engine' government, which remains committed to protecting the interests and ensuring the economic security of farmers. Providing agricultural input grants to those affected by natural disasters is a key part of this commitment. The government's objective is to enable farmers to resume agricultural activities by providing timely financial assistance, maintaining consistent agricultural production, and strengthening both farmers' incomes and the rural economy. The grant amount is determined based on the type of crop. The Agriculture Minister explained that under the Agricultural Input Grant Scheme, the financial assistance for crop damage is set at varying rates depending on the specific crop. A grant will be provided at the following rates: ₹8,500 per hectare for rain-fed (unirrigated) crop areas, ₹17,000 per hectare for irrigated areas, and ₹22,500 per hectare for perennial and multi-year crops (including sugarcane). The grant is applicable for a maximum area of ​​two hectares. The minimum assistance amount has been set at ₹1,000 for unirrigated areas, ₹2,000 for irrigated areas, and ₹2,500 for perennial and multi-year crops. Farmers from 289 panchayats across 9 districts are eligible to apply. Sinha stated that flood-affected, eligible farmers from identified blocks and panchayats in the districts of Darbhanga, Gopalganj, Muzaffarpur, West Champaran, East Champaran, Vaishali, Saran, Katihar, and Patna may apply under this scheme. A list of the affected blocks and panchayats is available on the 'DBT Agriculture' portal. The Agriculture Minister noted that the benefits of the scheme will be extended to eligible registered farmers—both land-owning (raiyat) and non-land-owning (non-raiyat). A 'farmer family' is defined as including a husband, wife, and their minor children. Applicants must provide family details and undergo Aadhaar verification during the application process; any discrepancies found in the family information may lead to the cancellation of the application. Land-owning (raiyat) farmers must submit an updated Land Possession Certificate (LPC) or a land revenue receipt (lagan rasid) for the financial years 2023-24, 2024-25, or 2025-26. Non-land-owning (non-raiyat) farmers must submit a self-declaration certificate, certified by a ward member, mukhiya (village head), or sarpanch, as well as an agriculture coordinator. The prescribed format for this self-declaration certificate is available on the 'DBT Agriculture' portal. Interested farmers can apply online through the DBT portal. Applications can be submitted via the link available on the Agriculture Department's official website (https://state.bihar.gov.in/krishi/CitizenHome.html) or through the DBT Agriculture portal (https://dbtagriculture.bihar.gov.in). A 13-digit farmer registration number is mandatory for the application. For detailed information regarding the scheme, farmers may contact the Kisan Call Center at the toll-free number 18001801551. Additionally, farmers can also obtain information from their respective District Agriculture Officers. The Agriculture Department urges eligible farmers to complete the online application process—along with the submission of necessary documents—before the deadline of October 25, 2026, to ensure they can avail of the assistance provided under the scheme.