Potato growers across Uttar Pradesh, including Sultanpur district, have received major policy support designed to protect them from cold storage shortages and seasonal price fluctuations. Farmers who fail to secure space in government-run cold storage facilities will no longer face distress sales, as they can safely store their produce in private cold storages while remaining eligible for financial relief. Under the state government's Bhamashah Bhav Sthirta Yojana for the year 2026-27, registered growers will receive direct financial assistance to offset falling market prices and ensure fair compensation for their harvest.
Eligibility Criteria and Yield Limits
The horticulture department has established clear parameters to ensure targeted delivery of the welfare scheme. According to District Horticulture Officer Ram Aqbal, all eligible growers in the district can apply, including tenant farmers who cultivate potatoes on leased land. The scheme caps eligibility at a maximum of two hectares of potato cultivation area per farmer. While standard production is benchmarked at 240 quintals per hectare, financial assistance will be capped at a maximum of 200 quintals per individual farmer regardless of total yield.
Subsidy Calculation and Sales Conditions
Financial relief will only apply to FAQ quality potatoes measuring between 30 mm and 80 mm in size. The subsidy amount is calculated as either 25 percent of the total production cost or the difference between the production cost and the actual market selling price, whichever figure is lower. Approved funds will be transferred directly to the farmer's bank account using Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). To qualify, all sales transactions must be routed through verifiable banking channels. Farmers may sell their harvest at state mandis, sub-mandis, private cold storage premises, or directly from their fields to registered traders. However, direct farm-gate sales require mandatory geotagged location verification.
Required Documents and Online Portal Access
Farmers seeking to enroll in the scheme must complete e-KYC verification using their Aadhaar card or official Farmer ID. Required documentation includes a self-attested copy of the bank passbook or cancelled cheque displaying the account holder's name, account number, and IFSC code. Applicants must also provide updated Khasra-Khatauni records to verify land area and a formal buy-sell agreement executed between the farmer and the registered buyer. Copies of these documents must be submitted to the District Horticulture Officer's office for physical verification. Farmers can access detailed operational guidelines and submit online applications through the official UP Horticulture Department portal.
