Mushroom Cultivation has become a primary source of income for several unlikely farmers and a popular second income option for many. Government subsidies for mushroom cultivation have made it more accessible for individuals. A mushroom cultivation government subsidy was introduced in 2011 under the National Horticulture Board to promote mushroom production and help farmers with their endeavours. This mushroom cultivation subsidy provides financial assistance for the farmers to set up their mushroom production plants. The offer is available for individuals and provides a substantial cost as well.

Scheme Overview

• Scheme Name: Subsidy on Mushroom Cultivation 
• Scheme Modified: 01.07.2011  
• Scheme Fund Allocated: Up to 10 lakhs 
• Type of Government Scheme: Agriculture Subsidy Schemes under NHB 
• Sponsored / Sector Scheme: Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) 
• Website to apply: https://nhb.gov.in 
• Helpline No: Phone lines are different for each state.
• Subsidy Type: National Subsidy
• Covered States: The Mushroom Cultivation Subsidy covers all states across India, including Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal.

Features of Mushroom Subsidy

Under the directives of the National Horticulture Board, the subsidy for mushroom cultivation is provided in the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH). The main features of this mushroom subsidy are,

• As per this subsidy on mushroom farming, it is the state government that will issue the loan.
• The cost of the mushroom plant is set to a maximum of 20 lakhs. A 50% of the total cost, i.e., up to 10 lakhs of the loan, will be provided.
• This will be in addition to other government subsidies for mushroom cultivation in the form of a 50% discount on compost.

Benefits of Mushroom Cultivation Subsidy

• Subsidy for mushroom farming is available for individuals or a joint venture. 
• There is a substantial subsidy offer for mushroom farming with assistance with the setup and compost.  
• It is an integrated scheme where the issuer is the state government, so that communications will be much easier and more convenient.  

• The subsidy is issued per unit, so you can set up as many units as you need.

Drawbacks of Mushroom Farming Subsidy 

• The subsidy is applied per unit, and with a cap of 10 lakhs per applicant, you can only have the subsidy for 100 units. You may not get the same benefits for all your units if you have a larger farm.  
• The subsidy rates are higher for those in the hilly and colder regions than in other areas, which can be a slight disadvantage for all in the planer parts.  

• Only individuals are eligible for the mushroom subsidy, so companies cannot apply for the same.

How to Apply for a Subsidy in Mushroom Farming?

The subsidy is either issued by the NHB or from the Bank directly as a loan. The application procedure and the necessary documents are more or less the same. If the subsidy must be from the Bank, you will need more documentation and then apply to the NHB with the supportive documents. The process of application is,  

• Step 1- In the application for the mushroom subsidy loan, you can approach the Bank with the relevant details and then apply for the subsidy with the NHB in the given link.  

• Step 2 – The application process must include all the necessary supportive documents. 
• Step 3 – There will be site inspections and validation of the facts provided before the subsidy is issued.

Documents Required for Mushroom Farming Subsidy

• Completion certificate of the project 
• Financial appraisal by the Bank 
• Loan sanction letter from the Bank 
• Loan disbursement terms 
• A copy of the record of rights in the name of the beneficiary (you) 
• Recent passport-size photograph 
• Photographs covering all the major components of the project 
• Expenditure certificate duly signed 
• If the subsidy is to be issued by the Bank, you must submit an additional application. 
• Aadhaar card 
• Address proof 
• Ration card 

Conclusion 

The NHB Subsidy for Mushroom Cultivation is a blessing for small to medium-scale farmers who get assistance for the complete setup and reduction in compost cost, including transportation and setting up individual compost units. You can contact the state government authorities for more enquiries and understand the procedure for starting your mushroom cultivation unit.

Explore our Complete Guide to Profitable Mushroom Farming in India for essential tips and tricks to boost your mushroom cultivation!

Note: The information contained herein is for informational purposes only. Nothing herein shall be construed to be financial or legal advice. Pesticides are a considerable risk of loss in crops and viewers are advised to do their own research before making any decisions.

For the past few years, India has been one of the largest oilseeds producers and an importer of edible oils. There is a growing demand for edible oil in the country as the per-person consumption per year is nearly 16 kg. Under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, the Government of India has brought a scheme to promote the overall production of quality oilseeds. The project is under the National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP) and has been implemented since 2014.

Scheme Overview

• Scheme Name: National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm 
• Scheme Modified: 13-07-2018 
• Scheme Fund Allocated: Rs.11,040 crore 
• Type of Government Scheme: Central Government of India 
• Sponsored / Sector Scheme: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare 
• Website to apply: https://nmoop.gov.in/ 
• Helpline No.: 011-23381176 

Features

• The aim of this project is to increase oilseed cultivation in larger areas and thereby reduce the need for the import of edible oils.  
• The NMOOP scheme targets the unused and underutilized land areas in the country to maximize oilseed production using proper management techniques.  
• Consolidate the various Tree Borne Oilseeds (TBOs) scattered across the non-forest and forest areas. 
• Convert wasteland into productive land. 

Benefits of NMOOP

• Projects, under the NMOOP scheme, are done as a collaboration of the Central Government and the State Governments at a ratio of 75:25, respectively.
• The scheme helps promote the oilseed palms in the northeast states.
• Assistance will be provided to the farmers for the steps such as planting the seeds, irrigation, maintenance, etc., to harvesting tools.
• The scheme helps farmers to find reasonable rates for their produce in case of a price drop in the international market.
• The scheme promotes inter-crop of oilseeds along with cereals and pulses.

• The Government institutions will be ready to provide technical assistance if the farmers need it.

Drawback of National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm subsidy

The state government will select the beneficiary for the NMOOP projects through the panchayat. Farmers will have lesser chances of getting the projects through the usual application mode. The government will select the production area, which will not be easy from the farmers’ point of view.

While the scheme covers the restoration process in case of a natural disaster or calamity, the feasibility of success is still under debate. The action plan does not specify the procedures in case of complete destruction or future incompatibility of crop production.

There are multiple levels of the inspecting committee that will assess the land and other details prior to the commencement of the project. There will be constant monitoring throughout the project as well.

Since the central and state governments are involved, there could be red-tape involvement throughout the process.

How to Apply?

Under this scheme will have assistance for the farmers financially, physically, and technically. Here, you will not need to look for land and go after the government. You will be selected as a beneficiary if you are lucky, and it will be much more convenient than getting the approval and fulfilling formalities of other crop production. Once you are selected as a beneficiary, you will be assisted with the various levels of crop production in each stage as and when needed.

Documents Required

You must have the essential documents ready. The other documents required will be intimated by the authorities at the time of application.  

• Aadhaar Card 

• Ration card 
• Address proof 
• Property documents

Conclusion

Under the NMOOP is convenient as the project undertakes both edible and non-edible oil seeds. The project aims to cover a total land coverage of 75,000 hectares in the next few years. When properly implemented, this will be one of the best projects that equally benefit the farmers and the government.

Note: The information contained herein is for informational purposes only. Nothing herein shall be construed to be financial or legal advice. Pesticides are a considerable risk of loss in crops and viewers are advised to do their own research before making any decisions.

As consumers are getting more aware of the harmful effects of chemical fertilizers on health, producers and governments across the globe are forced to promote organic farming in whichever way they can. For this, the Government of India is promoting organic farming subsidies under various schemes under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare. Here in this article, you can find more details on government subsidies for organic farming.

Scheme Overview

• Scheme Name: Government subsidy for organic farming
• Scheme Modified: 2014
• Scheme Fund Allocated: Up to 40 lakhs
• Type of Government Scheme: Central Government of India
• Sponsored / Sector Scheme: NMSA, MIDH, NFSM and RKVY.
• Website to apply: https://www.nabard.org/
• Helpline No.: 1800229009

Features of Organic Farming Government Schemes

The subsidy for organic farming is provided through the NABARD in collaboration with the National Centre of Organic Farming (NCOF). This scheme aims to promote commercial crop production of organic produce while preserving soil health and being safe for the environment. It also urges the farmers to have organic compost plants and convert the organic waste into valuable forms.

Benefits of NABARD Schemes for Organic Farming

• Farmers having small or bigger farming land can benefit from this organic farming subsidy scheme.
• The farmers can establish a compost unit on their land and use them for farming, reducing the overall production expenses.

• For a small[-scale farmer, there are chances to sell the extra compost they have made.

Drawback of Subsidy on Organic Farming

The organic farming subsidy is highly attractive and sounds convenient. But it may take months for the prospective farmer to find the ideal land. It will take another few months or years to convince the bank to finance your project. The assistance of the NABARD will arrive only after clearance from the bank. Until then, there could be an extended period.

There still needs to be more awareness among farmers regarding the misuse of chemical fertilizers and the benefits of organic products for their farming. Unless this knowledge gap is filled, the scope for the success of organic farming will be much less.

Challenges are also seen in the marketing of the products. At times, the farmers may get a much lesser price for their organic produce than the other conventional products. There should be a proper marketing strategy and price limits.

Difficulty in maintaining the quality of organic manure could derail the entire project, especially with the export prospects. Measures should be taken to maintain good quality through awareness and training in specific regions of the country, according to the local weather conditions.

How to Apply for an Organic Farming Subsidy?

• Step 1: Plan the project well, prepare the details and submit the plan to the financial institute or bank.
• Step 2: The bank will review, assess, and approve the plan.
• Step 3: Application to NABARD and the bank’s approval for their financial assistance.
• Step 4: Assessment from the NABARD will be done, and the loan will be approved.
• Step 5: 50% of the approved loan will be released to the bank and, from there, to you.
• Step 6: The remaining 50% of the subsidy will be released after the bank’s assessment.

Documents Required

• Project Plan
• Bank approval
• Aadhaar card
• Address proof
• Ration card
• Property details
• Passport size photograph

Conclusion

The organic farming subsidy can be applied online through the NABARD online portal. This can be a game-changing scheme for the farmers to produce without hammering the environment and with less burden on their pockets.

Note: The information contained herein is for informational purposes only. Nothing herein shall be construed to be financial or legal advice. Pesticides are a considerable risk of loss in crops and viewers are advised to do their own research before making any decisions.

Ever since Mithila Makhana got a GI Tag, the Government of Bihar has promoted makhana production in the state. Currently, the promotional makhana subsidy is available in just a few districts. This will be excellent financial support for the farmers to enhance their production. The objective of the Bihar Makhana Vikas Yojana is to improve the overall productivity and quality of the phool makhana, a nutritious snack.

Scheme Overview

• Scheme Name: Bihar Makhana Vikas Yojana or Bihar Makhana Development Scheme 

• Scheme Modified: September 2022  
• Scheme Fund Allocated: Up to INR 72,750 
• Type of Government Scheme: State Government of Bihar 
• Sponsored / Sector Scheme: Department of Agriculture, Bihar 
• Website to apply: http://horticulture.bihar.gov.in/HORTMIS/Home.aspx 

• Helpline No.: 15545, 1800-345-6268 

Features Bihar Makhana Development Scheme

The Bihar Makhana Vikas Yojana is a scheme of the state government to promote the cultivation of Mithila makhana and other local varieties. Makhana of Bihar is famous across India as a nutritious food. Recently, the demand for these seeds has been rising, and the state got a GI tag. Now, the state authorities have concocted this scheme to help farmers with crop production. There would be assistance with the machinery repair and other maintenance work. Project details are given below.

Benefits of Bihar Makhana Vikas Yojana

• The aim is to increase the productivity and quality of makhana, the increase in production will benefit the farmers. 
• Those who need assistance with the maintenance work of their production units can apply for this scheme. 
• Under this scheme, there will be a reservation of 16% for the Scheduled Caste and 1% for the Scheduled Tribe. This reservation will be for each district.  

• The makhana subsidy is also beneficial for women as there will be steps to ensure that at least 30% of the beneficiaries are women. It means that women in each district have a better chance of getting approval under this makhana subsidy scheme.  
• The authorities will help you find good quality makhana varieties and introduce new varieties to promote better-quality seeds.  

Drawback of Makhana Subsidy in Bihar

The main drawback of the Bihar Makhana Vikas Yojna is that it is now available in just eight districts. Soon it will be implemented in three more districts for a total of 11 districts. These districts are Katihar, Darbhanga, Supaul, Kishanganj, Purnia, Saharsa, Araria, West Champaran, Madhepura, Madhubani, and Sitamarhi. It is not yet beneficial for the farmers in the other districts, and it may take time for the government to extend the project to other areas.

How to Apply?

The application for Makhana Subsidy in Bihar is through the official online portal, and you can also apply for the scheme through the CSC near you. The application process is over now, and the subsequent application process will open in the coming months or next year.  

You must note that the application process will be open only for a few days from the date of notification. You can enquire about the same at the nearest CSC or local panchayat. The online  process of application is explained below. 

• Step 1: Visit official website, as mentioned above. 

• Step 2: Now click on the ‘Avail benefits button’ 
• Step 3: Now, click on the APPLY button against the Bihar Makhana Vikas Yojana on the new page.  
• Step 4: Agree to the terms and conditions on the next page. 
• Step 5: Provide your Farmers DBT Registration Number, and click on the button ‘Get Details”.  
• Step 6: Now, the application form will appear. Fill in the details sections and submit your form.  

• Step 7: Save the application number and download the form for future reference.  

Documents Required

• Aadhaar card for personal ID 
• Papers of the property where you are doing the farming 
• Address proof 
• Bank passbook 
• PAN card 
• Mobile number 
• Passport size photograph 

Conclusion

There are several varieties of makhana cultivation in Bihar. Depending on the location, you can choose any of these for your farm. The benefits will be the same for all, no matter your location.  

Note: The information contained herein is for informational purposes only. Nothing herein shall be construed to be financial or legal advice. Pesticides are a considerable risk of loss in crops and viewers are advised to do their own research before making any decisions.