Patna: In a move to promote horticulture in the state, the Bihar government has launched the “Strawberry Development Scheme (2025-26)” under the Chief Minister Horticulture Mission. The scheme aims to encourage farmers to cultivate high-value crops like strawberries and expand strawberry production areas across Bihar.
According to official sources, the scheme will benefit farmers in 12 districts — Banka, Lakhisarai, Aurangabad, Begusarai, Bhagalpur, Gaya, Muzaffarpur, Nalanda, Patna, Purnia, Samastipur, and Vaishali. Farmers can apply for plots ranging from a minimum of 0.25 acres (0.1 hectare) to a maximum of 5 acres (2 hectares).
Under this scheme, farmers will receive high-quality strawberry plants, along with kut boxes and small plastic boxes, to aid both production and packaging/marketing. For the year 2025-26, these materials will be supplied through agencies selected via an e-tendering process.
Grant per hectare: ₹3,02,400 for strawberry cultivation.
Kut boxes: 40% subsidy on the cost of ₹14.50 per piece (₹5.80 per piece).
Plastic small boxes: 40% subsidy on the cost of ₹2.90 per piece (₹1.16 per piece).
To avail benefits under the scheme, farmers must submit land ownership documents, such as:
Land Ownership Certificate
Revenue Receipt
Vamsavli (genealogical record), if the applicant’s name is not clearly mentioned in land records
Additionally, farmers must ensure their bank accounts are active and registered under the DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) system, as the grant will be transferred directly via the CFMS system.
Beneficiary selection will follow social category-based reservation:
General Category: 78.537%
Scheduled Caste (SC): 20%
Scheduled Tribe (ST): 1.463%
Moreover, 30% of beneficiaries in each category will be women.
The state government expects that this scheme will provide better opportunities in strawberry cultivation, create local employment, and significantly increase farmers’ income through this high-value cash crop
