Land Records to Be Linked to Aadhaar, Bihar Farmers to Benefit from All Government Schemes

Key Highlights

• Land records will be linked with Aadhaar within a month.
• Only Aadhaar-linked farmers will benefit from agriculture schemes.
• Digital surveys target 50% revenue villages during Rabi season.
• Over 18,000 villages' data collected; pilot was conducted in 831 villages.
• Subsidies are provided for seeds, organic farming, equipment, and irrigation.

The government is taking significant steps to ensure that farmers benefit fully from various welfare schemes. A major initiative is underway to link land records with Aadhaar, which is expected to be completed within the next month. Deepak Kumar Singh, Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue and Land Reforms Department, announced this, emphasizing that only farmers whose land records are linked with Aadhaar will be eligible for Agriculture Department schemes.

Also Read: Rabi Crop Sowing Crosses 428 Lakh Hectares: A Strong Start to 2024-25 Season

Why Digital Land Surveys Are Important

This announcement was made during a workshop on Digital Crop Survey and Farmer Registry, organized by the Agriculture Department under the Agri Stack Project. The workshop highlighted the importance of digitally surveying farmers lands. According to Singh, digital surveys will ensure accurate data collection, enabling needy farmers to access government support. The government aims to create geo-referenced maps for 50% of the state’s 45,000 revenue villages during the current Rabi season, with a complete geo-referencing target set for January 31, 2025.

Progress in Digital Land Surveys

Agriculture Secretary Sanjay Kumar Agarwal described the digital crop survey as a "revolution" for Bihar. Currently, there is inconsistent data on crops and land use across districts. As of now, digital survey data for over 18,000 villages has been collected. Last year, during the Rabi season, the government conducted pilot digital surveys in 831 villages across five districts: Jehanabad, Lakhisarai, Munger, Nalanda, and Sheikhpura.

Key Government Schemes Benefiting Farmers in Bihar

The Bihar government runs several schemes to support farmers. Below are some of the major ones:

1. Seed Subsidy Scheme

Farmers receive subsidies on seeds of paddy, wheat, pulses, and oilseeds. For example:

• 50% subsidy for paddy and wheat seeds under the Beej Gram Yojana.
• 60% subsidy for pulses and oilseeds.
• Under the Mini Kit Yojana, an 80% subsidy is provided for paddy seeds.

The Chief Minister's Rapid Seed Expansion Program also distributes base seeds and trains farmers to improve seed production.

2. Organic Farming Promotion Scheme

Farmers practicing organic farming can earn incentives of ₹6,500 per acre, up to ₹16,250 for 2.5 acres of land.

3. Vermicompost Subsidy

Farmers producing organic manure can get a 50% subsidy, up to ₹3,000 per unit, for a maximum of five units.

4. Green Manure Subsidy

The government offers a 90% subsidy on Dhaincha seeds and an 80% subsidy on Moong seeds to promote green manure crops.

5. Cow Dung and Biogas Incentive

Farmers can receive a 50% subsidy, up to ₹19,000, for biogas units with a capacity of two cubic meters.

6. Agricultural Mechanization Scheme

To help farmers access modern tools, subsidies ranging from 40% to 80% are available on 75 types of equipment like power tillers, harvesters, and rotavators.

7. Diesel Subsidy Scheme

Farmers facing drought conditions receive ₹750 per acre for irrigation. Subsidies range from ₹1,500 to ₹2,250 per acre for different crops and irrigation cycles.

8. Tube Well Scheme

Under the Mukhyamantri Private Tubewell Scheme, subsidies range from 50% to 80% based on the farmer’s category. A total of 35,000 tube wells are covered under this program.

A Promising Future for Farmers

By linking land records with Aadhaar and leveraging digital technology, the Bihar government aims to create a more transparent and effective system for implementing welfare schemes. These efforts will ensure that eligible farmers receive timely support and maximize the benefits from government initiatives.

Also Read: Sondwa Micro Irrigation Project Begins: A Major Boost for Farmers in Madhya Pradesh

CMV360 Says

The Bihar government’s initiative to link land records with Aadhaar and conduct digital land surveys promises greater transparency and efficiency in delivering welfare schemes. By combining technology with targeted subsidies and support programs, the state aims to empower farmers, ensure equitable resource distribution, and enhance agricultural productivity, paving the way for a more prosperous farming community.