Gandhinagar: The Gujarat government has enhanced financial assistance under its farm fencing scheme and relaxed eligibility norms to help more farmers protect their crops from stray cattle and wild animals ahead of the monsoon season.
The decision was taken during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.
Subsidy Increased to ₹300 Per Metre for Barbed Wire Fencing
According to Agriculture Minister and government spokesperson Jitu Vaghani, the subsidy for barbed wire fencing has been raised from ₹200 per metre to ₹300 per metre.
Farmers will now receive either:
- ₹300 per running metre, or
- 50% of the actual cost, whichever is lower
The revision aims to offset rising material and labour costs in agricultural infrastructure.
Relaxed Land Eligibility to Benefit Small Farmers
The government has also eased eligibility rules under the scheme:
- Earlier requirement: minimum 2 hectares cluster
- New requirement: minimum 1 hectare cluster
Officials said many small farmers were previously unable to benefit due to coordination issues in forming larger land clusters.
This change is expected to significantly expand coverage for marginal and small farmers across the state.
Around 1 Lakh Applications Received via i-Khedut Portal
The scheme has already received nearly 1 lakh applications through the state’s i-Khedut portal.
Authorities have confirmed that:
- Applications will be approved in phases
- Processing will be completed before the monsoon
- Farmers will be able to install fencing before peak farming activity begins
₹240 Crore Allocated, Additional Funding Possible
The state government has allocated ₹240 crore for the scheme.
Officials also indicated that additional funding will be arranged if required to ensure that all eligible farmers receive timely support.
Portal to Be Reopened for Wider Farmer Coverage
Earlier, applications were accepted only once a year. However, the government is now considering reopening the portal if necessary to ensure maximum participation.
This move is aimed at improving accessibility and ensuring that no eligible farmer is left out of the benefit system.
Government’s Focus on Crop Protection and Rural Welfare
The revised policy reflects the government’s focus on strengthening agricultural resilience by:
- Reducing crop damage from stray animals
- Supporting small and marginal farmers
- Improving rural financial assistance systems
- Enhancing timely implementation before monsoon farming season
The initiative is expected to provide significant relief to farmers across Gujarat as they prepare for the upcoming agricultural cycle.
