The Bihar government is offering financial assistance to farmers affected by floods through the Agricultural Input Subsidy Scheme. Farmers whose crops were damaged due to rising river water levels in the last week of September are eligible for this scheme. The Agriculture Department has invited online applications, with the deadline set for October 25.

Agriculture Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha stated that providing relief to flood-affected farmers is a top priority for the government. The scheme will benefit eligible farmers across 289 panchayats in 43 blocks across nine districts. Under the scheme, an assistance of Rs 8,500 per hectare will be provided for unirrigated crop areas, Rs 17,000 per hectare for irrigated areas, and Rs 22,500 per hectare for perennial crops, including sugarcane. Farmers can receive aid for a maximum of two hectares.

The minimum subsidy amount is fixed at Rs 1,000 for unirrigated areas, Rs 2,000 for irrigated areas, and Rs 2,500 for perennial crops. The scheme covers affected farmers in specific blocks and panchayats of Darbhanga, Gopalganj, Muzaffarpur, West Champaran, East Champaran, Vaishali, Saran, Katihar, and Patna districts. Both tenant and non-tenant farmers can apply. Tenant farmers need to submit an updated Land Possession Certificate (LPC) or land revenue receipt, while non-tenant farmers must provide a self-declaration certificate attested by a ward member, Mukhiya, Sarpanch, and agricultural coordinator. A 13-digit farmer registration number is mandatory for application.

Interested farmers can apply online through the Agriculture Department's website or the DBT Agriculture portal For further information and assistance, farmers can contact the Kisan Call Centre at the toll-free number 18001801551 or their respective District Agriculture Officer.