With consumer demand for fox nuts steadily climbing across domestic towns, major cities, and overseas markets, the Bihar administration is stepping up financial incentives to expand commercial production. For the fiscal year 2026-27, specific district targets have been outlined under the Fox Nut Development Scheme to deliver economic support directly to farmers in Khagaria. Cultivators can take advantage of the funding using either traditional pond environments or modern field-based waterbed systems.
Target Allocations and Financial Assistance
Khagaria District Horticulture Officer Abhay Kumar Mandal outlined the program structure, explaining that a 25-hectare target has been earmarked for pond-based fox nut farming under the central sector initiative of the National Fox Nut Board. Agricultural producers opting for the pond method can secure a government subsidy of up to ₹71,600 per hectare. Alongside this, the horticulture department has dedicated a significantly wider 221-hectare target for field-based cultivation systems, where eligible growers will receive assistance amounting to ₹52,800 per hectare.
Cultivation Limits and Farmer Eligibility
Official guidelines establish that participating growers can claim subsidies for land holdings ranging between 1 hectare and 2 hectares across both farming methods. The provisions accommodate both land-owning titleholders (raiyat) and non-titleholder tenant farmers (non-raiyat), ensuring that cultivators operating on lease agreements also gain direct access to state resources.
Expanding Acreage for a Prime Commercial Crop
Fox nut remains one of Bihar's most prominent cash crops, with the state supplying the vast majority of India's overall harvest. Through these designated targets, policymakers intend to significantly widen the cultivation footprint and bolster farm incomes throughout rural belts. Interested growers across Khagaria can clarify scheme qualifications and navigate the application process by visiting their respective block-level authorities or connecting directly with the district horticulture office.
