The Jharkhand government has introduced a subsidy program to incentivize farmers to cultivate millets. This financial aid is available to those farming on a minimum of one acre and a maximum of five acres of land. Millet cultivation benefits both farmers and consumers, as it can thrive in adverse weather conditions, leading to higher yields and greater profits for farmers. While many states are promoting millet cultivation on a large scale, Jharkhand is also making significant efforts to encourage this agricultural practice.
To promote millet farming, the Jharkhand government is offering a financial subsidy of ₹3,000 per acre, with a maximum grant of ₹15,000 for up to five acres of cultivation. The Agriculture Department has allocated this subsidy for the 2024-25 financial year. Additionally, there are cash rewards for the top millet farmers and millet seed banks.
Only permanent residents of Jharkhand are eligible for this subsidy. The grant is available to both landowners and sharecroppers. Farmers cultivating millets on land ranging from a minimum of 10 decimals to a maximum of five acres can apply. A 30% subsidy or ₹3,000 per acre, whichever is lower, will be provided for the cultivation of millets such as ragi, sorghum, and bajra. This scheme is being implemented across all 24 districts of the state.
The Jharkhand Millet Mission, a five-year initiative from 2023-24 to 2027-28, aims to benefit farmers throughout its duration. The state government plans to extend this program further. The mission's target is to cultivate millets on five lakh hectares of land over five years. Farmers interested in taking advantage of this scheme must apply at their nearest Common Service Center (CSC) by August 30. Applicants must have a valid Aadhaar number, mobile number, and bank passbook.
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