Patna: The Bihar government has approved a Rs 24 crore agricultural infrastructure scheme for the construction of 305 storage warehouses and 400 concrete threshing floors across the state during the 2026-27 financial year.
Announcing the initiative, Agriculture Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha said the scheme will be implemented under the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY) to provide farmers with safe storage facilities and improved marketing opportunities for their produce.
The approved expenditure includes a central share of Rs 14.40 crore and a state share of Rs 9.60 crore.
Focus on Better Storage and Marketing
Sinha said the warehouse construction programme aims to promote agriculture-based entrepreneurship while helping farmers avoid distress sales immediately after harvest.
According to the minister, many farmers are forced to sell their produce at lower prices due to the lack of storage facilities. The proposed warehouses will allow them to store crops safely and sell them when market conditions are more favourable, helping them secure better returns.
“The scheme will contribute to increasing farmers’ income and strengthening economic empowerment in the agricultural sector,” he said.
Technical Approval and Project Details
The Bihar State Warehousing Corporation, Patna, has granted technical approval for warehouses with capacities of 100 metric tonnes and 200 metric tonnes.
The approved construction cost for a 100-metric-tonne warehouse has been fixed at Rs 14.191 lakh per unit, while a 200-metric-tonne warehouse will cost Rs 20.249 lakh per unit.
Under the scheme, 88 warehouses with a capacity of 100 metric tonnes and 217 warehouses with a capacity of 200 metric tonnes will be constructed across Bihar.
Concrete Threshing Floors to Improve Crop Quality
The scheme also includes the construction of 400 concrete threshing floors aimed at reducing post-harvest losses and improving crop quality.
Sinha said farmers require clean and reliable spaces for drying harvested crops. The threshing floors will help maintain produce quality, minimise contamination, and improve market value.
Technical approval for the threshing floors has been provided by the Joint Director (Agricultural Engineering)-cum-State Nodal Officer (Mechanisation), Directorate of Agriculture, Bihar. The approved cost of each unit has been fixed at Rs 1.292 lakh.
Employment Generation Expected
The Agriculture Department estimates that the project will generate substantial employment in rural areas during the construction phase.
According to official estimates, the construction of 88 smaller warehouses will generate 96,536 person-days of employment, while the 217 larger warehouses are expected to create 339,388 person-days.
In addition, the construction of 400 concrete threshing floors is projected to generate 12,000 person-days of employment.
Overall, the scheme is expected to create 447,924 person-days of employment across the state.
Strengthening Rural Economy
Sinha said the state government remains committed to increasing farmers’ income, improving agricultural produce management, and strengthening the rural economy through infrastructure development.
He said the initiative would serve as a major step towards making farmers self-reliant and ensuring a more profitable and sustainable agricultural sector in Bihar.
