Patna: Sugarcane cultivation in Bihar is expanding beyond its traditional production zones, with more than 7,000 farmers from areas without sugar mills registering on a state government portal, according to data from the Sugarcane Industry Department.
Officials said a total of 1,20,289 sugarcane farmers have registered so far across the state. Of these, 1,13,289 are from established sugar mill regions, while 7,000 belong to districts that have not historically had sugar processing facilities.
The department said the expansion signals a gradual geographical spread of sugarcane farming, supported by digital registration systems that have made it easier for farmers to enrol in government schemes.
The state government has also indicated plans to accelerate the establishment of new sugar mills in non-traditional areas to support the growing number of cultivators.
According to officials, the online registration system allows farmers to access government subsidies and welfare schemes without extensive paperwork. The administration is linking registered farmers to benefits including support for improved seed varieties and modern agricultural equipment used in planting and harvesting.
All subsidies are being transferred directly to farmers’ bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system, which the department says is intended to improve transparency and reduce delays in payments.
