Bihar to provide 50 per cent subsidy on seeds of Rabi crops

Darbhanga (Bihar) (PTI): In a relief to the farmers of 45,000 revenue villages of the state, Bihar Agriculture Minister Nagmani on Thursday announced that the farmers would be given 50 per cent subsidy on the seeds of Rabi crops- wheat, gram and mansur.

"After independence, it would be first occasion when the farmers would be getting high quality seeds for Rabi crops at a subsidy of 50 per cent," Nagmani told reporters.

On October 16, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar would inaugurate the Rabi crops' seed distribution function at Patna's Gandhi Maidan, Nagmani said.

Emphasising the government's commitment towards the development of farm sector and farmers, he recalled that Nitish Kumar government in the past had provided seeds of Kharif crops at a very subsidized rate.

In the wake of Kosi flood which created a deluge in the five districts of Madhepura, Saharsa, Supaul, Araria and Purnia changing the very nature of the soil, the minister said that the government has prepared a plan for soil-testing, once water-level recedes, to carry out farm activities accordingly.

The government has already initiated the process for soil-testing in all the districts of the state. As per this scheme, agricultural scientists would visit every village with mobile lab van and give certificates to the farmers telling them about the suitability of their land for a particular crop which would enahance the productivity, Nagmani said.

When asked about the scarcity and black-marketing of fertiliser in the state, the minister denied any such allegation saying there was no paucity of fertiliser in the state as the Centre has approved its quota for the fertiliser.

The officers have been asked to take stern action against black-marketeers and also to condcut raids to nab them, he said.

--