What is the agriculture subsidy scheme in Bihar

The agriculture department Bihar has been in the vanguard in the implementation of elaborate general subsidy policies that help and protect farmers in the state. All these include enhancing agricultural production for better farmers’ standards of living and the state’s economic development. Here in this article, let us consider the aspect of agriculture subsidy scheme of Bihar state and analysis it with different angles.

Learning More about Bihar’s Agricutlural Context

It would be best to describe the subsidy scheme in detail to know the general background of agriculture in Bihar. With this understanding I shall be in a position to understand and comprehend the importance and the need for the subsidies offered by the state government.

FACTORS THAT HAVESHAPE AGRICULTURE IN BIHAR WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO GEOGRAPHIC AND CLIMATIC FACTORS

Bihar contributes to the eastern part of India and is well endowed with alluvial soils probably due to the many rivers which drain the province. Bihar possesses a rich fertile land that is mainly constituted by the Gangetic plain which provides the potential of developing agricultural lands. However, the state has its own problems including but not limited to:- floods and drought which pose great threats to farming.

The climate in Bihar can be described as Sub tropical with hot summer, cold winter and rainy season The geographic location of Bihar is in the eastern part of India, between 24 02 ‘N and 27 28 ‘N latitude and between 83 20 ‘ E and 88 08 ‘ E longitude. This diverse climate favors crop production in that many types of crops can be grown in this environment but the farmers have to cope with challenges that such a climate has for instance drought periods.

Major crops and their contribution in the economic scenario of Bihar

Agriculture is the largest and most important sector of Bihar as a large population of people in Bihar depends on agriculture. The major crops grown in Bihar include:The major crops grown in Bihar include:

Rice
Wheat
Maize
Pulses (lentils, chickpeas)
Oilseeds (mustard, linseed)
Sugarcane
Jute
Fruits (litchi, mango)
Vegetables

These crops not only feed the people of the state but also supports the economy of the state through exports as well as agro based industries.

The Evolution of Agricultural Subsidies in Bihar

For the purpose of this discussion, one may need to cast their minds back into the type of agricultural subsidies that has evolved over the years in Bihar. Understanding them will help us establish how the state has evolved the policies of its agriculture to suit the farmers.

Historical FACT SHEET on farm subsidies in the State

Bihar thus like other parts of India has a past record of providing agricultural subsidies since the post – independence period. During the Green Revolution that was in the 1960s and 1970s, subsidies were more directed to encouraging producers to use the high yielding varieties of seeds and chemical fertilizers with a view of enhancing food production.

Over the years, the emphasis of the subsidies translate to other factors that concern agriculture for instance, water supply, equipment, and rainfall insurance. This led to the change of adoption from one that was one-sided with farmers to one that focused on the changing dynamics of agriculture.

The following are some of the key highlights in Bihar’s Agricultural Policy:

Some of the significant milestones in Bihar’s agricultural policy include:Some of the significant milestones in Bihar’s agricultural policy include:

Launching of Kisan Credit Card Scheme during the last decade of the 20th Century
Adoption of Bihar Agricultural Road Map in the year 2008
Adoption of SRI method was performed in 2009.
Passed of Bihar Agricultural University Act in the year 2010
Formation and establishment of Bihar Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute (BAMETI), in the year 2011.

Such landmarks stand testimony to the state government’s call for taking agriculture into the twenty-first century through intervention required and subsidies sponsored.

Current Agriculture Subsidy Scheme in Bihar: OVERVIEW

That begins the focus of this paper; let us from here turn the microscope onto the current agriculture subsidy scheme of Bihar. This scheme is organizational based support nature of financial aid as well as support tailored differently in handling out farming.

The Aims and Achievement of the Scheme

The primary objectives of Bihar’s agriculture subsidy scheme are:The primary objectives of Bihar’s agriculture subsidy scheme are:

Enhance the Agricultural production as well as the production of crops.
Generally, increase farmers’ income and improve the standard of their living
Promote sustainable farming practices
Strengthen the food sufficiency situation in the state
Promoting the use of appropriate farming technologies of the modern world.
Reduce risks which are charecteristic of agriculture for instance droughts or a drop in prices.

Major Empowering Individuals or Organisations & Execution Entities

The successful implementation of the agriculture subsidy scheme in Bihar involves various stakeholders and agencies, including:The successful implementation of the agriculture subsidy scheme in Bihar involves various stakeholders and agencies, including:

Bihar Agriculture Department
State Agriculture Universities
Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs)
Cooperative societies
Banks and financial institutions
Panchayati Raj Institutions
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)

These entities work hand in hand so that the gains of the subsidy scheme get achieved to the rightful beneficiaries as supposed.

The Various Subsidies that have Been Provided by Bihar Government

Bihar agriculture subsidies involve many different forms of support mechanisms as below. It is now time that we discuss the different kinds of subsidies given to farmers within the state.

Input Subsidies: Fruits and Vegetable, Feeds and Livestocks, Grain Mill Products, Chemicals and Allied Products, Agricultural Implements, Fertilizers, and Pesticides.

The other part of the overall package of the subsidy scheme involves availing of inputs at subsidized prices. This includes:

High-quality seeds: For better yields the government sells certified seeds of different crops at subsidized rates in the market.
Fertilizers: Both the chemical fertilizers also the organic and bio- fertilizers are provided to the farmers at a subsidized rate.
Pesticides and herbicides: Plant protection chemicals, by subsidizing the farmers, assist him /her to protect crops against pests and diseases.

These input subsidies have the responsibility of cutting down the overall cost of production for farmers to an extent that they can improve their margins of profits.

Equipment and Machinery Subsidies

To promote farm mechanization and increase efficiency, the Bihar government offers subsidies on various agricultural equipment and machinery, such as:To promote farm mechanization and increase efficiency, the Bihar government offers subsidies on various agricultural equipment and machinery, such as:

Tractors and power tillers
Combine harvesters
Seed drills and planters
Sprayers and dusters
Solar pumps for irrigation

The level of subsidy, therefore, depends on the type of equipment that is to be subsidized and the farmer category as defined by the government, that is a small, marginal or large farmer.

Subsidy on Line Deptt., Irrigation & Water Management

Given the importance of water in agriculture, the state government provides subsidies for:Given the importance of water in agriculture, the state government provides subsidies for:

Sprinkling and drip irrigation systems should be planted for irrigating the crops.
Construction of farm ponds & water harvest structures
This comprises restoration of historical water channels and development of new ones.
Solar-powered irrigation pumps

The above subsidies’ main goal is to foster efficient use of water and expansion of the area of irrigation in the state.

Crop Insurance Subsidies

In an effort to prevent the farmers from being trump because of a failed harvest because of natural disasters, pests, or diseases, the Bihar government subsidizes crop insurance. The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is one of the scheme of this kind wherein the farmers contributing a minuscule portion of the premium, the rest paid for by the state and Centre.

The Requirements of Certification

Knowledgeable of who can access these subsidies and how to get call for the scheme is important to farmers so that they can seize this opportunity.

In Bihar, to whom are Agricultural subsidies available?

Generally, the subsidies are available to all farmers in Bihar, but priority is often given to:Generally, the subsidies are available to all farmers in Bihar, but priority is often given to:

Small and marginal farmers
SC/ST farmers
Women farmers
Cultivators those who residing in the regions which are vulnerable to drought and flood situations

There are those that are restricted to a particular size of land holding, the type of crop produced or the geographical area.

How to apply for subsidies: a step by step guide

The application process for agricultural subsidies in Bihar typically involves the following steps:The application process for agricultural subsidies in Bihar typically involves the following steps:

Registration: Farmers have to self-enrol themselves and the nearest place to do this is either at agriculture department office or Krishi Vigyan Kendra.
Documentation: Required documents to be collected including documents pertaining to land, Aadhaar Card, Bank account details and Farmer’s ID.
Scheme selection: Decide on the particular type of subsidy scheme which you are interested in to apply for.
Application submission: There is an online application form to complete and other forms which are printable depending on the branch as well as documents to attach to the application form.
Verification: The concerned authorities will scrutinise the application and documents to be provided.
Approval and disbursement: If granted it will either be paid out in cash directly to the bank account of the farmer or in kind depending on the scheme involved.

I would like to point out that most subsidies are now delivered through DBT so that there is no extra buffering and corruption.

Motivation of the Subsidy Scheme and the Effect Derived from It On Bihar Agricultural Sector

The agriculture subsidy scheme has been implemented to transform the food structure of Bihar with great benefit to farming people and the agricultural division comprehensively.

Success Stories/ Case Studies

Numerous success stories highlight the positive impact of the subsidy scheme:Numerous success stories highlight the positive impact of the subsidy scheme:

Increased crop yields: Most of the farmers have complained of having high yields after embracing the subsidized high quality seeds and fertilizers.
Adoption of modern techniques: Government subsidies to the farming machinery have made farmers adopt efficient farming practices reducing on the costs of labour.
Water conservation: Producers who have invested in drip irrigation systems that came with a subsidize have recorded water-use reduction within the 40-50% while triggering enhanced or similar crop productivity.
Risk mitigation: The crop insurance subsidies are a safety net that has enabled the farmers to bounce back in their failed crops to continue with farming.

It is, therefore, important to look at the challenges and things that can be improved to enhance service delivery and support of the identified objectives and envisaged outcomes.

Despite its successes, the subsidy scheme faces several challenges:Despite its successes, the subsidy scheme faces several challenges:

Awareness: Some of the farmers such as those from the rural areas are still in a position where they cannot fully grasp what subsidies are or where they can get them.
Timely disbursement: Subsidy always comes in form of cash and sometimes farmers are unable to access them in time mostly as a result of delayed disbursement hence they cannot afford to buy their inputs.
Targeting: It is, however, still a dilemma to try and make sure that the subsidies are given to the deserving farmers.
Environmental concerns: Some of the critics say that provision of subsidies on the chemical inputs may help reduce the use of organic farming techniques.

Overcoming of these challenges shall therefore be vital for the sustenance and improvement of the subsidy scheme.

Future Outlook: Sustainable Agriculture and Subsidy Reform

To sum up and looking on the future prospect, the agriculture subsidy scheme in Bihar is protruding to face new challenges as well as new horizons.

Any successful development plan requires for economic growth, and environmental balance to be struck in order to avoid the irreparable damages that come with recklessly exploiting the natural resources.

Al future of subsidies in the agricultural sector in Bihar state will probably involve additional financial support to both increase production and to make it sustainable. This may include:

Substantial improvement of the subsidy to organic inputs as well as bio-fertilizers
Propaganda of the climate-resistant crops
Remunerations as influenced by the implementation of conservation agriculture production practices
Some of the key findings include; favorable policies for the diversification into high value crops and agro-forestry.

Ideas for Changes and Improvement of Subsidy Scheme in Bihar

Some potential reforms and innovations that could shape the future of agricultural subsidies in Bihar include:Some potential reforms and innovations that could shape the future of agricultural subsidies in Bihar include:

Use of technology: Using Artificial Intelligence and satellite imagery to improve the Distribution of subsidies and the evaluation of their outcomes.
Direct income support: Exchanging the input subsidies by the Direct Income Support for the farmers.
Outcome-based subsidies: Extending the subsidies in relation to the result outcome or enhanced yields or practice of sustainable production.
Public-private partnerships: Partnerships with private actors as a means of enhancing the effectiveness of subsidies with the promotion of innovation in agriculture.

**Conclusion: *Fostering Bihar as the Nation’s Granary of Tomorrow*

In Bihar, the agriculture subsidy scheme is one of the most important tools of subsidizing the agri production and development. This has assisted in increasing the productivity, enhance farmer income status as well as encourage the application of advanced farming methods through subsidised inputs, equipment, irrigation and risk management cover.

As Bihar moves on towards the future, the further development of subsidy scheme is going to play very important role in countering new issues like climate change, water crisis, sustainable agriculture etc. That way Bihar will be able to achieve its economic growth while at the same time maintaining the environment as supportable to produce enough for the future generations to make a living from agriculture.

Frequently Asked Questions: Bihar’s Agriculture Subsidy Scheme

Q: How do I know that I am eligible for Agricultural subsidies in Bihar?
A: To know the eligibility you may visit your respective Krishi Vigyan Kendra or the Agriculture department. They will give information on the basis of your land holding size, crop type and geographical zone.
Q: What are the availability of any subsidies for the organic farming in Bihar?
A: Yes, Bihar government does support subsidies for organic inputs and outputs, certification cost of organic products and marketing of organic products.
Q: Am I eligible to get subsidies under one or more schemes at a time?
A: Well, in many cases it is possible. Though, one must seek advice from the local agriculture officer in order to determine which subsidy combinations are possible for the specific case at hand.
Q: How much time is taken to receive subsidy after applying for the same?
A: Sometimes depending on the kind of subsidy and verification the time taken can slightly differ from the one provided. For the most part it could be anywhere from a couple of weeks to a couple of months. DBT schemes as well can be processed faster in most of the cases.
Q: Are there any incentives or subsidy offered for establishment of food processing unit in Bihar?
A: Yes it does provide subsidies for establishment of food processing units under different schemes so as to encourage value addition and minimize post harvest loss. These subsidies may include subsidy at a particular percentage of the cost of the project or subsidized interest rate on the loans.