The region of Bhagalpur district will have an increase in the area for fig cultivation. The first five hectares targeted for this year will receive a government subsidy of up to 40 percent. To avail the benefits, small farmers will be required to register on the DBT Portal. The Horticulture Assistant Director claimed that this region has soil that can be used for growing figs. Under the Fig Fruit Development Scheme, the cultivation area in the district will increase to five hectares this year. In the previous year, the aim was to plant fig saplings over one hectare, and from this year, around 625 saplings will be nurtured. The distance from one sapling to another will be four meters. The total approximate spending for this new step of Bhagalpur fig cultivation will be around one lakh twenty-five thousand for every hectare.
Bhagalpur Fig Cultivation Is Beneficial For Farmers
A subsidy of 40 percent, which is equivalent to 50 thousand rupees per hectare, will be provided. The subsidy will be disbursed in two tranches. The first tranche will be 60 percent of the subsidy amount, which means 30 thousand, and the second tranche will be 40 percent of the subsidy amount, which means 20 thousand rupees per hectare.
The Grant will be disbursed by the Assistant Director of Horticulture based on the report of the Block Horticulture Officer. Fig cultivation will be undertaken primarily by small and marginal farmers. The scope of this scheme will be from a minimum of 0.25 acres (0.1 hectare) to a maximum of 5 acres (2 hectare) per eligible farmer. To qualify for the benefits of the scheme, farmers must sign up on the DBT platform.
For the benefits of the scheme, farmers will be chosen on a first-come, first-served basis. The agency that will purchase the plants has yet to be chosen. Last year, about 1 hectare of figs was cultivated in the district. Figs grow in both black soil and red soil.
Bhagalpur Soil Is Perfect
Figs are easy to cultivate, and farmers can earn additional income from Bhagalpur fig cultivation due to their market demand. Like every year, this year too, the state government of Bihar is giving out fig saplings for free to motivate farmers to cultivate figs. Supported by well-nourishing soil, performing this activity will grant the farmers a value-added source of income. The fig trees will bear fruit within two years of sapling plantation. The Bihar government is encouraging the locals to join hands in making this farm initiative fruitful and rewarding, as there is a high demand for figs in the market.
