Over 2L farmers to get crop loss compensation

Patna: More than two lakh farmers affected by storms, hailstorms, strong winds and unseasonal rainfall in Bihar during the third and fourth weeks of March are set to receive crop loss compensation directly into their bank accounts through the direct benefit transfer (DBT) system.

The state disaster management department has released Rs 200 crore to the agriculture department for disbursement among eligible farmers. The natural calamities damaged standing crops, including wheat, gram, lentil, maize, banana and vegetables, across 13 districts — Saharsa, Samastipur, Muzaffarpur, Araria, Begusarai, Madhubani, Purnia, Khagaria, Kishanganj, Madhepura, Bhagalpur, Supaul and Darbhanga.

The agriculture department had invited applications under the Input Subsidy Scheme until May 5 from farmers in 1,484 panchayats spread across 88 blocks of the affected districts. Initially, compensation worth nearly Rs 390 crore was sought for crop damage reported over 2,29,000 hectares. However, following detailed field inspections and verification by departmental officials, crop losses were officially assessed on around 1,25,000 hectares.

According to officials, the verification process for 2,07,000 farmers has been completed and compensation will soon be credited directly to their accounts.

Of the 4,85,000 applications received, around 72,000 were rejected at the agriculture coordinator level. At the sub-divisional agriculture officer level, nearly three lakh applications were approved, while 37,000 remain under review. District agriculture officers approved 2,84,000 applications, with 24,000 still pending. Ultimately, 2,07,000 applications received final approval at the ADM level.

Under the scheme, farmers are eligible for compensation of Rs 8,500 per hectare for unirrigated land, Rs 17,000 per hectare for irrigated land and Rs 22,500 per hectare for perennial crops such as sugarcane. Compensation is capped at a maximum of two hectares per farmer, with minimum assistance ranging from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,500 depending on the category of crop damaged.