Bihar Government to Set Up 267 Farm Hiring Centers

Patna - In a major initiative to modernize agriculture and raise farm incomes, the Bihar government has announced the establishment of 267 Custom Hiring Centers (CHCs) across the state during the 2025–26 financial year. The centers will enable small and marginal farmers to access modern agricultural machinery on a rental basis, helping them reduce costs and improve productivity.

Mr. Ram Kripal Yadav, Agriculture Minister, said, “221 farmers have already been selected through an online lottery process and have been issued approval letters to operate the centers. The remaining centers will be allotted in subsequent phases.”

The Custom Hiring Centers will provide machinery required for all major farming operations, including ploughing, sowing, transplanting, harvesting, and threshing. By renting advanced equipment, farmers will be able to complete farm activities on time, improve crop quality and yields, and avoid heavy capital investments.

Each Custom Hiring Center project has a maximum cost limit of USD 12,050 (₹10 lakh). Every center must include at least one machine for each key agricultural activity suited to local cropping patterns. Tractors with 35 BHP or higher are eligible for subsidies of up to USD 1,930 (₹1.6 lakh), while other agricultural equipment is supported through a 40% grant. The total subsidy per center is capped at USD 4,820 (₹4 lakh).

The scheme is open to a broad range of beneficiaries, including individual farmers and farmer-based organizations, ensuring that modern farming technology reaches communities across Bihar. The state government expects the Custom Hiring Center program to significantly improve agricultural efficiency, enhance farmer incomes, and strengthen the overall agricultural economy.

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