Patna: The Bihar government has invited online applications for setting up new pulse processing units under its Pulse Processing Unit Establishment Scheme. The initiative aims to promote pulse processing, storage and value addition while helping farmers secure better returns from their produce.
Eligible applicants can apply until September 15, 2026. The scheme will support the establishment of new pulse mill units in selected districts of the state.
The initiative is part of the government’s broader effort to strengthen food processing and make agriculture more profitable by creating opportunities to process crops within Bihar.
Up to ₹25 Lakh Subsidy Available
Under the scheme, eligible beneficiaries can receive a subsidy of 33 per cent of the project cost or up to ₹25 lakh, whichever is lower.
The financial assistance can be used for several key components of a pulse processing project, including:
- Plant and machinery
- Building construction
- Warehouses and storage infrastructure
However, the subsidy available for buildings and storage infrastructure will be restricted to a maximum of 30 per cent of the total eligible subsidy.
The government has not included several other expenses under the subsidy. These include land purchase, electricity connections, human resources and other operational costs.
The subsidy amount will be transferred directly to the beneficiary’s bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.
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FPOs, PACS and Entrepreneurs Can Apply
The scheme is open to a wide range of applicants, allowing both farmer organisations and individual entrepreneurs to participate.
Eligible applicants include Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), Cluster Level Federations (CLFs), Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), entrepreneurs, individual applicants and other registered organisations.
Agriculture Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha said the scheme is aimed at supporting the state’s efforts towards self-sufficiency in pulses while promoting value addition in agriculture.
He said processing facilities can help farmers receive better prices for their produce and generate new employment opportunities in rural areas.
The minister also appealed to eligible FPOs, PACS and young entrepreneurs to make use of the scheme and contribute to strengthening Bihar’s pulse-processing ecosystem.
New Units Must Process at Least 300 Kg Per Hour
The government has fixed a minimum processing capacity of 300 kilograms per hour for new pulse processing units.
The units must use BIS-standard machinery, while obtaining an FSSAI licence will also be mandatory.
The project will also come with a long-term operational requirement. Beneficiaries must operate and maintain the pulse processing unit for at least three years.
This condition is aimed at ensuring that the infrastructure created with government assistance remains operational and delivers sustained economic benefits.
Scheme Covers 10 Bihar Districts
The Pulse Processing Unit Establishment Scheme will initially cover 10 districts of Bihar.
These are Patna, Nalanda, Aurangabad, Muzaffarpur, Lakhisarai, Supaul, Bhagalpur, Sitamarhi, Jehanabad and Gaya.
The geographical focus gives eligible farmers’ organisations, entrepreneurs and registered institutions in these districts an opportunity to establish processing infrastructure closer to pulse-producing areas.
Local processing can also reduce the need to send agricultural produce outside the state for value addition, potentially creating additional opportunities for storage, processing, packaging and related rural businesses.
Focus on Farmers’ Income and Rural Jobs
The government sees food processing as an important route to increase the value of agricultural produce. Instead of selling pulses only as raw produce, processing facilities can support activities such as cleaning, grading, milling, storage and other forms of value addition.
For farmers, a stronger local processing network can create additional market opportunities. At the same time, new processing units can generate employment in rural areas through operations, transportation, packaging, storage and allied activities.
Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha said the government is committed to increasing farmers’ income and promoting agricultural value addition under its mission for self-sufficiency in pulses.
The scheme therefore combines agricultural production with processing infrastructure, giving local entrepreneurs and farmer organisations a larger role in the value chain.
Agriculture Department Issues Fertiliser Advisory
Alongside the announcement of the pulse processing scheme, the Agriculture Department has also stated that fertilisers are adequately available across Bihar.
Farmers have been advised not to rely on misleading reports or rumours regarding fertiliser availability and to follow official information.
The government’s message comes as the state continues efforts to support agricultural production while expanding infrastructure for processing and value addition.
With applications open until September 15, the pulse processing scheme provides eligible organisations and entrepreneurs a short window to submit proposals and seek financial assistance.
If implemented effectively, the initiative could strengthen Bihar’s pulse value chain, improve opportunities for farmers and create new rural enterprises around food processing.
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