Earn Up to 10 Lakh Rupees: Government Subsidy for Cold Storage on Vacant Land

Key Highlights

• Up to 10 lakh rupees subsidy for cold storage.
• 50% subsidy for SC/ST farmers, 40% for others.
• Apply through the DBT portal by 31 August 2024.
• Lottery selection and verification process in September.

Efforts are being made by the government to increase the income of farmers through various schemes. If farmers have vacant land that is not being used for farming, they can build cold storage facilities on it. The state government is providing a 50 percent subsidy to farmers for building cold storage. This allows the farmers to store fruits, vegetables, and other perishables for longer periods, helping them benefit from better market prices. Additionally, they can earn income by renting out cold storage facilities to other farmers.

Also Read: Warehouse Subsidy Scheme: Government Offers 40 to 50 Percent Subsidy for Warehouse Construction

Subsidy Details for Opening Cold Storage

The state government provides subsidies under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana for building cold storage.

For a 100 metric tonne cold storage:

• General category farmers receive 40 percent or up to Rs 5.5 lakh.
• Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) farmers receive 50 percent or up to Rs 7 lakh.

For a 200 metric tonne cold storage:

• General category farmers receive 40 percent, amounting to Rs 8 lakh on a cost of Rs 20.25 lakh.
• SC and ST farmers receive a maximum subsidy of Rs 10 lakh or 50 percent of the cost, whichever is less.

Eligible Districts for the Scheme

Currently, Bihar has 202 operational cold storages with a total capacity of 12,30,176 metric tonnes. However, there are 12 districts without any cold storage facilities, including:

• Madhubani
• Nawada
• Aurangabad
• Banka
• Saharsa
• Jamui
• Munger
• Jehanabad
• Lakhisarai
• Sheikhpura
• Arwal
• Shivhar

The government aims to establish cold storages in these areas to maximize the benefits for farmers.

Documents Required for Cold Storage Subsidy

Farmers need the following documents to apply for the cold storage subsidy:

• Aadhaar card
• PAN card
• Land papers (including a copy of jamabandi)
• The mobile number linked with Aadhaar
• Caste certificate
• Residence certificate
• Geotagged photo of the plot where the cold storage is to be constructed

How to Apply for Cold Storage Subsidy

The state has set a target to build 108 cold storages of 100 metric tonnes and 46 cold storages of 200 metric tonnes. Registered farmers can apply through the DBT portal until 31 August 2024. The selection process includes:

1. Lottery draw on 6 September.
2. Preparation of a waiting list as per category-wise targets.
3. Verification from 7 to 14 September.
4. Final selection on 18 September.

Farmers can visit DBT Agriculture Bihar for more information.

Important Points for Application

• The applicant farmer must have the land registered in their name.
• Registration on the Agriculture Department portal is required.
• The application should be for the plot where the warehouse is to be constructed.
• A geotagged photo of the plot is necessary.
• Farmers will be selected through a lottery.
• Applications of selected farmers will be verified by the concerned agriculture coordinator.

By following these steps, farmers can take advantage of the government's cold storage subsidy scheme, potentially earning up to 10 lakh rupees.

Also Read: Chief Minister Rural Housing Scheme: Plots for Landless Farmers in Haryana

CMV360 Says

The government's cold storage subsidy scheme offers farmers a substantial financial opportunity. By building cold storage on vacant land, they can store produce longer, earn better market prices, and generate rental income. This initiative supports farmers' livelihoods and promotes agricultural efficiency. Apply now and maximize this beneficial scheme.