Kharif Onion Area Expansion Scheme 2024-25, Application Process, Benefits, and Eligibility

The Bihar government has launched the Kharif Onion Area Expansion Scheme for the year 2024-25 to promote onion farming in the state. This scheme provides financial assistance to farmers in 10 districts of Bihar to help them cultivate onions. Under the scheme, subsidies and other benefits are provided for cultivating a minimum of 0.25 acres and a maximum of 2.5 acres of land. In this article, we will explore the key features, benefits, and application process of this scheme.

Objective of the Scheme:

The primary objective of the Kharif Onion Area Expansion Scheme is to promote onion cultivation in Bihar, enabling farmers to achieve better yields and improve their economic conditions. The scheme also offers high-quality onion seeds and necessary financial support to the farmers.

List of Eligible Districts:

The scheme is available to farmers in the following 10 districts of Bihar.

1. Bhojpur
2. Buxar
3. Lakhisarai
4. Shekhpura
5. Begusarai
6. Nalanda
7. Patna
8. Rohtas
9. Samastipur
10. Vaishali

Farm Area and Eligibility:

Farmers are eligible to avail benefits under the scheme for cultivating a minimum area of 0.25 acres (0.1 hectare) and up to a maximum of 2.5 acres (1 hectare). This eligibility range allows both small and large farmers to participate in the scheme.

Seed Quantity and Cost: For onion farming, 10 kilograms of seeds are required per hectare. The estimated cost of each kilogram of seed is ₹2,000; however, the seeds may be available at lower prices depending on the actual rates.

Details of Financial Assistance: The scheme offers farmers a subsidy of ₹60,000 per hectare provided by the government. This amount includes the cost of seeds and is distributed in two installments:

1. First Installment: ₹37,500 for purchasing inputs and other materials.
2. Second Installment: ₹22,500, which will be provided after site inspection and verification. The Geo-tagged photographs of the site will be mandatory for the inspection process.

Seed Distribution System: Seeds will be provided to farmers in the eligible districts through the Bihar State Seed Corporation, Patna, ensuring that every farmer receives easy access to quality seeds.

Required Documents for Application:

Farmers can submit the following documents to avail the benefits of the scheme:

1. Land ownership certificate
2. Updated revenue receipt from the past two years or an online receipt
3. Genealogy or agreement certificate (for proof of land possession)

Payment Process and Selection Criteria: The financial assistance under the scheme will be paid through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system via CFMS. Beneficiaries will be selected based on the following criteria:

1. General Category: 78.56%
2. Scheduled Castes (SC): 20%
3. Scheduled Tribes (ST): 1.44% Each category will ensure 30% female participation.

Conclusion: The Kharif Onion Area Expansion Scheme is a significant initiative by the state government to promote onion cultivation. This scheme not only provides financial aid and seeds to farmers but also helps them adopt the latest agricultural techniques, thus contributing to overall farm productivity and economic growth.

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