Bihar Govt Plans Incentives to Boost Organic Farming for a Greener Future

Inspired by farmers' response to organic farming in pilot project regions, Bihar's agriculture department has decided to begin a special incentive scheme to popularize the natural form of farming in all 38 districts, according to a state agriculture department senior officer.

Organic farming is practiced by around 40,000 farmers in many regions of Bihar. Chemical-free farming is now practiced in 13 districts along the Ganga, which would be expanded to other places this year under the 4th agricultural road plan, according to agriculture minister Kumar Sarvajeet, who added that the new agricultural road map would be unveiled shortly.

According to officials, the department has proposed providing incentives for the establishment of vermicomposting units, biogas plants, and biotech laboratories on a private-public partnership basis in all districts, as well as promoting innovation and start-ups in the organic farming sector and providing financial support to clusters of farmers engaged in the production of green manure. "The incentive plan envisions subsidizing up to 90% of the cost in certain places," an official stated.

For the past three years, approximately 40,000 farmers have been engaged in organic farming in districts like as Patna, Buxar, Bhojpur, Saran, Vaishali, Samastipur, Khagaria, Begusarai, Lakhisarai, Bhagalpur, Munger, Nalanda, and Katihar (since 2019-20). All of the farmers' food has obtained C-2 accreditation, and their products will soon be marketed with C-3 certification, the highest certifications for organic farming. Farmers are currently receiving financial aid of Rs 11,500 per acre for organic farming, in addition to free bio fertilizer and certified seeds from the state government.

"Organic farming is practiced on around 37,000 acres by more than 200 farmer clusters. The department has decided to contribute Rs 5,000, or 50% of the cost of developing each vermicompost unit. The department intends to enable the construction of around 19,000 vermicompost units this year," added the official.

Aside from that, the state government has authorized the department's plan to assist private entrepreneurs in establishing at least 13 commercial vermicomposting plants, for which they will receive a subsidy of 6.40 lakh, or 40% of the cost of each unit.