Bihar Farmers to Receive Compensation for Crop Damage; Apply Before Deadline

Patna: The Bihar government has announced financial assistance for farmers whose crops were damaged during the Rabi 2025-26 season. The Cooperative Department has invited applications under the Bihar State Crop Assistance Scheme. The application process is completely free of cost.

The scheme covers notified crops, including wheat, maize, sugarcane, potatoes, eggplant, tomatoes, cauliflower, pigeon pea (arhar), chickpea (chana), lentils (masoor), onions, mustard (rai-sarson), and chili.

Compensation Details:
Farmers experiencing up to 20% crop loss will receive ₹7,500 per hectare, while losses exceeding 20% will be compensated at ₹10,000 per hectare. A farmer can claim compensation for a maximum of 2 hectares. The scheme benefits tenant farmers (rayat), non-tenant farmers (gair-rayat), and partially tenant farmers, ensuring inclusivity.

Application Deadlines for Different Crops:

• Potatoes: 31 January 2026
• Wheat, Rabi maize, sugarcane, Rabi tomatoes, and eggplant: 28 February 2026
• Chickpeas, lentils, and Rabi onions: 15 February 2026
• Rabi crops, mustard, chili, and cauliflower: 31 March 2026

How to Apply:
Farmers from municipal councils or town areas are also eligible. They may select more than one crop when applying. Registered farmers can apply directly via the Agriculture Department DBT portal, providing details of the crop, sown area, and uploading 2–3 geo-tagged photographs of the land.

Government Statement:
Dr. Pramod Kumar, Minister of the Cooperative Department, said, “The state government is committed to protecting the interests of farmers. Through the Bihar State Crop Assistance Scheme, the government is providing timely and transparent financial support to farmers affected by crop loss, ensuring their livelihoods are not disrupted and they can return to farming with confidence.”

For more information, farmers can visit the Cooperative Department’s website: https://state.bihar.gov.in/cooperative.