Agriculture Development Sitamarhi: Till now 39 farmers have applied online. file photo
Jagran correspondent, Sitamarhi. Bihar Oilseed Mission: New year 2026 is going to bring good news for the farmers of Sitamarhi district. Under the National Edible Oil-Oilseeds Mission, two oil processing units will be established in the district in the financial year 2026-27.
This will not only promote oilseed crops, but farmers will also be able to get better prices for their produce. The District Agriculture Department has sent a proposal to the State Headquarters regarding the establishment of an oil processing unit.
Seeing the success of the scheme, online applications are being taken from farmers. District Agriculture Officer Shantanu Kumar said that so far 39 farmers have applied.
Priority to farmer groups
Under the scheme, selected farmers will be given subsidy up to 33 percent on the project cost. Farmer Producer Groups (FPOs), cooperative societies and private entrepreneurs associated with oilseed crop production will be given priority.
The work of extracting and cleaning oil from mustard, groundnut, sunflower and other oilseed crops will be done through the oil extraction unit. This will make processing possible at the local level and will increase the income of farmers.
The unit will be of 10 metric ton capacity
The capacity of each oil processing unit will be 10 metric tons per day. The estimated cost of one unit has been fixed at Rs 27 to 30 lakh. Selected farmers will be given a maximum subsidy of Rs 9.90 lakh.
However, this grant will be available only on machinery and unit installation. No subsidy will be given on purchase of land, construction of building or shed.
Site inspection will be done after scrutiny
District Agriculture Officer said that the process of scrutiny of the applications received is being started. After this, site inspection of eligible applicants will be done. The process of setting up the unit will be taken forward by selecting two farmers who meet all the criteria.
Scope of oilseed farming will increase
At present, oilseed crops are being cultivated in more than four thousand hectares of area in the district. With the establishment of oil processing units, the area covered under oilseed crops will further increase.
Along with this, free training and government subsidized seeds will also be provided to the farmers. This unit can be easily established in rural areas, which will also increase local employment opportunities.
Two oil processing units will be established in the district with the aim of promoting oilseed processing and providing fair prices to farmers for their crops. The selection process will be completed after scrutiny of applications and site inspection.
Shantanu Kumar, District Agriculture Officer, Sitamarhi