Bihar Subsidy for Farmers: The Bihar government is planning to increase the land used for Rabi crops to 48 lakh hectares in the upcoming farming season. The target is 6 lakh hectares more than last year’s 42 lakh hectares. The government wants to increase crop production and help farmers earn more by growing different types of crops.
Agriculture Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha said the state has prepared a major plan under the Rabi Mega Campaign. Along with wheat and maize, the government will encourage farmers to grow more pulses, oilseeds, vegetables and spices. It will also provide financial help to farmers who choose alternative crops.
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Bihar’s New Rabi Cultivation Target
The state has divided the 48 lakh hectares target among different crops. Wheat will cover the largest area, followed by spring maize and pulses. The remaining land will be used for oilseeds, potatoes, vegetables, spices and other crops.
Vijay Kumar Sinha explained the plan, saying, “We have fixed a big and ambitious target to expand the area under cultivation under the Rabi mega campaign to 48 lakh hectares. It is an increase of 6 lakh hectares compared to the 42 lakh hectares on which Rabi crops were cultivated last year,” The crop-wise targets are:
| Crop | Target area |
|---|---|
| Wheat | 24 lakh hectares |
| Spring maize | 6 lakh hectares |
| Pulses | 5 lakh hectares |
| Oilseeds | 4 lakh hectares |
| Potatoes, vegetables, spices and other crops | 9 lakh hectares |
| Total | 48 lakh hectares |
The government also wants farmers to reduce their dependence on traditional crops. It plans to promote turmeric, ginger, tomatoes, chillies, cabbage and spring onions. These crops could give farmers more ways to earn money instead of depending on only a few crops.
This target is part of Bihar’s Rabi Mega Campaign 2026.
Farmers to Get 40% Subsidy on Alternative Crops
To encourage farmers to try different crops, the government will offer a 40% subsidy under the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY). The support will be available to farmers with land between 0.1 hectare and 2 hectares.
Vijay said, “We intend to expand the area under these alternative crops. This could provide additional income to the farmers. They will be given a 40 per cent subsidy under the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY) (a scheme related to agricultural development) on the cost of cultivating these crops,”
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The subsidy amounts will depend on the crop. For turmeric and ginger, the government has fixed the farming cost at Rs 1 lakh per hectare. Farmers can receive up to Rs 40,000 per hectare. Their cultivation programme will begin in February and March 2027.
For tomatoes, chillies and cabbage, the fixed cost is Rs 60,000 per hectare. Farmers can get financial support of up to Rs 24,000 per hectare.
New Onion Varieties to Support Farmers
The state is also promoting spring onion cultivation. Two varieties, Bhima Shakti and Agrifound Light Red, have been included in the plan.
Vijay said, “With regard to efforts to expand the area for cultivating onions, we have included a new variety – Bhima Shakti – along with the Agrifound Light Red variety. Farmers cultivating spring onions will receive a subsidy of up to Rs 20,000 per hectare, based on a prescribed cultivation cost of Rs 50,000 per hectare,”
Agrifound Light Red was developed by the National Horticultural Research and Development Foundation. Its onions are usually round and medium-sized. They take around 110 to 120 days to mature after transplanting and can produce 30 to 35 tonnes per hectare.
Bhima Shakti was developed by the ICAR-Directorate of Onion and Garlic Research. It produces red onions and can be stored for around six months under proper conditions. The crop takes around 125 to 135 days to mature.
