The Bihar government has launched a major relief scheme under the Agriculture Road Map, intending to double farmers' income and prevent the wastage of fruits and vegetables. For the financial year 2024-25, Rs 22.25 crore has been sanctioned for the 'Special Intervention Scheme (Plastic Crates, Leno Bags and Fruit Trap Bags)'.
The scheme will benefit fruit and vegetable growers across all 38 districts by providing subsidies on plastic crates and leno bags used during storage and transportation. Banana farmers will also receive support through fruit trap bags to protect crops from pest damage.
The government has fixed the unit cost as follows:
* Plastic Crate: Rs 400
* Leno Bag: Rs 20
* Fruit Trap Bag: Rs 30
Subsidies will be calculated on the lower of the pre-approved rate and the current e-tender rate.
Subsidy Rate:
* Plastic Crate – 80 per cent subsidy
* Leno Bag – 80 per cent subsidy
* Fruit Trap Bag – 50 per cent subsidy
Officials say the scheme will provide substantial relief to farmers by ensuring safer transportation and storage of produce, ultimately helping reduce wastage.
Eligibility Criteria:
According to the government, only farmers who are permanent residents of Bihar, registered on the Agriculture Department's DBT portal and have not availed the benefit of this scheme in the last three years will benefit from the scheme.
Quantity Limit has been set on the availability of items:
* Plastic Crate: 10-50
* Leno Bag: 100-1,000
* Fruit Trap Bag: 300-10,000
Application Process
Farmers can apply through dbtagriculture.bihar.gov.in or the 'Bihar Krishi App'. Required documents include a land ownership certificate, updated land revenue receipt for the last two years, genealogy/online receipt/agreement in the prescribed format, and a passport-sized photograph.
This scheme will not only reduce the wastage of fruits and vegetables but will also lower storage and transportation costs. The government believes that this intervention will prove to be a significant step towards increasing farmers' income.