Bihar Government to boost fruit production through subsidies

 

 

Patna: The Bihar government doesn’t like to leave any stone unturned to boost horticulture production, especially fruits, in the state. The goal is to expand the farming areas for mango, litchi, and banana so that their productivity can be increased. The orchards of two fruits, mango and banana, are to get a promotion in all districts, while six districts have been selected to escalate litchi cultivation.

 

At present, Bihar occupies the number one, third, and eighth positions in litchi, mango, and banana production across the country. To make this position better, the state government will provide subsidies to farmers for the expansion of mango and litchi cultivation. The government will provide Rs 80,000 per hectare for mango and litchi farming and 70,000 per hectare for banana cultivation.

However, farmers will have to follow some strict planting guidelines. A 5-meter spacing is essential for mango plantation; it means 400 trees will be planted in one hectare. Meanwhile, litchi trees should be planted with a 4.5-meter spacing, allowing 424 trees per hectare.

The government has chosen six districts, such as Vaishali, East Champaran, Bhagalpur, Muzaffarpur, Samastipur, and Siwan, for the expansion of litchi cultivation in the state. This initiative is likely to further increase the productivity of this juicy fruit.

The state is adamant about promoting banana production with the promotion of tissue culture varieties such as Malbhog, Chinia, and G-9. These varieties are known for high yield and disease resistance and are to be distributed to farmers.

Farmers have a chance to apply for such schemes on the Horticulture Department website for the registration: horticulture.bihar.gov.in. New applicants will have to first register on the DBT portal for their eligibility.