Patna, 30 December (ABN) Minister of Agriculture Ram Krupal Yadav said on Tuesday that farm machinery banks are being set up under the agricultural road map, through which farmers will have access to modern agricultural equipment in a timely and easy manner at every stage of farming.

The Minister of Agriculture issued a statement today saying that the Bihar government is committed to ensuring that every farmer in the state, especially small and marginal farmers, can engage in modern, scientific, and profitable farming. To achieve this goal, farm machinery banks are being set up under the agricultural road map so that farmers can have access to modern agricultural machinery in a timely manner.

He said that from sowing to harvesting, every important activity in farming has a significant time constraint. The availability of modern agricultural equipment through farm machinery banks will be ensured, which will not only reduce the cost of farming but also significantly increase the quality and production of crops. This scheme is a strong step towards honoring the labor of farmers and making them self-sufficient.

Ram Krupal Yadav stated that the project cost for setting up a farm machinery bank has been fixed at a maximum of Rs 10 lakh. At least one modern machine for each agricultural operation, such as sowing, harvesting, and threshing, must be included, considering the local crop system. Under this scheme, a subsidy of up to 80% of the total project cost, a maximum of Rs 8 lakh, is being provided by the state government so that farmers and farmer groups do not bear the financial burden.

He said that the target has been set to establish one farm machinery bank in each district of the state in the financial year 2025-26. A total of 38 farm machinery banks will be established across Bihar, which will give a new pace to agricultural mechanization and promote timely farming.

According to the Minister of Agriculture, this scheme will benefit Jeevika's self-help groups, Gram Sangathan, cluster federations, Atma-associated farmer interest groups, NABARD or national bank-associated farmer clubs, farmer producer organizations, farmer producer companies, self-help groups, and PACS.

Ram Krupal Yadav said that the farm machinery bank scheme will lay a strong foundation for a modern, mechanized, and sustainable agricultural system in Bihar. This will not only increase the income of farmers but also strengthen the rural economy. He expressed hope that this initiative will play a crucial role in establishing Bihar as a prominent state in the agricultural sector.