Bamboo cultivation will become a strong source of income in Bihar, the government is giving 50 percent subsidy.

Bamboo is no longer limited to just huts or baskets. Today, bamboo is being used extensively in paper, rayon and textile industries, construction work, architecture, engineering, handicrafts, food and medicine. This is the reason why the demand for bamboo is increasing rapidly not only in the country but also in foreign countries. Bamboo is also considered extremely beneficial for the environment, because it reduces air and water pollution, protects the land from degradation, absorbs carbon and helps fight climate change.

Considering all these benefits, Bihar government has decided to promote bamboo cultivation in the state. Under this, up to 50 percent subsidy is being given to farmers on bamboo cultivation. The government believes that this will increase the income of farmers and create new employment opportunities in rural areas.

Why is bamboo cultivation beneficial?

Bamboo farming is being considered as the farming of the future. In 2018, the global export value of bamboo products was around $2.9 billion. According to experts, it is expected to increase by about 5 percent every year between 2019 and 2025. Bamboo and cane industry is also progressing rapidly in India.

In 2019, the market of India’s bamboo and cane industry was around Rs 28 thousand crores. In 2018-19, bamboo export was around Rs 720 crore, which increased to more than Rs 1,163 crore by 2023-24. There has been a continuous decline in imports. These figures show that bamboo cultivation can provide big benefits to the farmers in the coming times.

Support received from National Bamboo Mission

According to Bihar Government Agriculture Department, under the National Bamboo Mission Scheme, bamboo cultivation has now become even easier. The objective of this scheme is to encourage farmers to cultivate bamboo and increase their income. The government wants farmers to adopt bamboo cultivation along with traditional crops.

This scheme is being implemented in 27 districts of Bihar. These include Araria, Banka, Begusarai, Bhagalpur, Darbhanga, East Champaran, Gopalganj, Jamui, Katihar, Khagaria, Kishanganj, Lakhisarai, Madhepura, Madhubani, Munger, Muzaffarpur, Purnia, Saharsa, Samastipur, Saran, Shivhar, Sheikhpura, Sitamarhi, Siwan, Supaul, Vaishali and West Champaran. Are.

Who can take advantage of the scheme?

The benefits of this scheme will be given on first come, first serve basis. In the same family, both husband and wife can avail the benefit of this scheme, but the condition is that both of them have separate land in their names and the land documents should also be separate.

necessary documents

To avail the benefits of the scheme, farmers will have to upload some important documents online. This includes land ownership certificate, updated revenue receipt for the last two years, online updated receipt or valid land ownership certificate based on genealogy.

Main terms and conditions of the scheme

Under this scheme, assistance will be provided for planting bamboo in higher density on private land and planting bamboo on the ridges of the fields. For planting bamboo on private land, the minimum area has been fixed at 0.04 hectare and maximum at 0.2 hectare. There is a provision to plant at least 10 bamboo plants per farmer on the ridge of the farm.

How much grant will you get?

The cost of bamboo cultivation in high density on private land has been fixed at Rs 1.2 lakh per hectare. On this, the government will give subsidy of 50 percent i.e. Rs 60 thousand per hectare. This amount will be given in the ratio of 60:40 in two years. For planting bamboo on the ridge of the field, the cost per plant has been considered to be Rs 300, of which a subsidy of 50 percent i.e. Rs 150 per plant will be given. This amount will also be given in two years.

Where to get bamboo plants?

According to the Horticulture Department, the bamboo plants will be of climate friendly varieties decided by the government. These plants will be supplied by the suppliers selected through tender, so that the farmers can get the right and good quality plants.

How to apply?

The application for this scheme will be completely online. The application process has started. Interested farmers can apply for grant for bamboo cultivation by visiting the official website of Bihar Horticulture Department https://horticulture.bihar.gov.in/.