Patna: In a significant step to modernize agriculture and increase farmers’ income, the Bihar government has announced the establishment of 267 Custom Hiring Centers (CHCs) across the state for the financial year 2025-26. These centers will provide small and marginal farmers access to modern agricultural machinery, reducing costs and improving crop quality.
So far, 221 farmers have been selected through an online lottery process and have been issued approval letters to operate these centers, according to Agriculture Minister Ram Kripal Yadav.
Modern Machinery for Small and Marginal Farmers
Minister Yadav stated that the Custom Hiring Centers will make machines available for all major farming activities, including ploughing, sowing, transplanting, harvesting, and threshing. By renting these machines, farmers can complete tasks on time, improving both the quality and yield of crops while lowering operational costs.
Each CHC project is capped at ₹10 lakh, and centers must include at least one machine for each key agricultural activity suitable for the local crop cycle. For instance, a 35 BHP or higher tractor can receive a subsidy of up to ₹1.6 lakh, while other agricultural equipment can get a 40% grant, bringing the total subsidy per CHC to a maximum of ₹4 lakh.
Read also: Bihar Launches Online Crop Loss Compensation Scheme: Farmers Can Claim ₹7,500–₹10,000 per Hectare
Eligible Beneficiaries
The scheme is designed to benefit a wide range of agricultural stakeholders, including:
- Progressive farmers
- Self-help groups (SHGs)
- Gram organizations and cluster federations
- Farmer Interest Groups (FIGs) associated with ATMA
- Farmer Clubs linked to NABARD and nationalized banks
- Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs)
This initiative ensures that farmers across Bihar can adopt modern farming techniques, access professional-grade machinery, and enhance productivity without heavy upfront investments.
Strengthening Bihar’s Agricultural Economy
The Custom Hiring Center program is expected to revolutionize farming in Bihar, making modern machinery accessible to even small landholders and boosting overall agricultural productivity. Minister Yadav emphasized that this initiative will not only improve the livelihood of farmers but also contribute to the strength and sustainability of Bihar’s agricultural economy.
With this program, the state government continues to demonstrate its commitment to farmer empowerment, mechanization, and rural development, helping Bihar’s farming community move towards modern, efficient, and profitable agriculture.
Read also: Bihar Government Launches Lady Rosetta Potato Cultivation with 75% Subsidy to Boost Farmers’ Income
