Patna: The Bihar Cooperative Department on September 11 transferred Rs 104.46 crore in financial assistance to 1,17,708 farmers under the Bihar State Crop Assistance Scheme for the Kharif 2024 season.
The assistance was transferred through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to the beneficiaries’ Aadhaar-linked bank accounts, according to the state Cooperative Department. The beneficiaries are spread across 714 panchayats.
Assistance For Crop Loss
Cooperative Department Minister Ram Kripal Yadav said the payments followed verification of applications received for the Kharif 2024 season. Cheques were also symbolically handed over to nine selected farmers during the programme.
The scheme provides financial assistance to farmers whose actual crop yield falls below the prescribed threshold because of natural disasters or other causes. It is fully funded by the state government and does not require farmers to pay any premium.
Under the scheme, farmers receive Rs 7,500 per hectare for crop losses of up to 20%, subject to a maximum of Rs 15,000 for two hectares. For losses exceeding 20%, the assistance is Rs 10,000 per hectare, capped at Rs 20,000 for two hectares.
Kharif 2026 Applications
The department said the scheme will also cover farmers affected by crop losses during Kharif 2026, including those affected by floods.
Eligible farmers have been asked to submit their applications by October 31. The department has urged farmers not to wait until the deadline to apply.
For Kharif 2024, paddy and maize were notified as panchayat-level crops, while soybean, potato, brinjal, tomato and cauliflower were notified as district-level crops.
Rabi 2024-25 Verification
The department said verification of applications for the Rabi 2024-25 season is currently underway.
The District Level Coordination Committee is examining data submitted by farmers from eligible gram panchayats against yield-rate statistics. Farmers found eligible and recommended for payment after verification will receive assistance, the department said.
Cooperation Department Secretary Dharmendra Singh, Registrar of Cooperative Societies Rajnish Kumar Singh and other department officials were present at the disbursement programme.
