Bikaner Promotes Modern Horticulture With 50 Percent Subsidy on Agricultural Plastic Mulching Under the National Horticulture Mission, farmers in Rajasthan's Bikaner district can secure up to 20,000 rupees per hectare as a 50 percent subsidy for adopting plastic mulching. Eligible growers can submit their applications online via the Raj Kisan portal. A targeted initiative to accelerate protected cultivation and modern agricultural practices has been rolled out for farmers in Rajasthan's Bikaner district. Under this assistance framework, horticulture growers adopting plastic mulching across their fields will receive a financial subsidy covering up to 50 percent of the total cost. The primary objective behind encouraging this practice is to suppress invasive weed growth, optimize the utilization of irrigation water, and elevate the harvest quality and yield of horticultural produce. The horticulture department has earmarked a comprehensive district-wide target of bringing 70 hectares of farmland under plastic mulching coverage. Financial Parameters Under the National Horticulture Mission Mukesh Gahlot, Assistant Director of the horticulture department, outlined that the adoption of plastic mulching is being actively incentivized to expand protected farming under the National Horticulture Mission. Under the prevailing guidelines, beneficiaries are entitled to financial assistance covering 50 percent of the mulch sheet cost, capped at an upper ceiling of 20,000 rupees per hectare. Individual farmers can avail themselves of this assistance for a maximum landholding area of up to 2 hectares on a pro-rata basis, allowing both medium and larger growers to integrate protective ground covers into their regular cultivation cycles. Procurement Norms Through Contracted Vendors and Cost Benchmarks To qualify for the subsidy payout, participating growers must procure their plastic mulch sheets exclusively from commercial firms contracted and empanelled by the horticulture department. The financial subsidy calculation will be pegged at 50 percent of either the benchmark expenditure limit of 40,000 rupees per hectare or the contracted firm's approved rate, whichever turns out to be lower. Furthermore, to address varying terrain and logistics across designated scheduled areas, an additional leeway of 15 percent has been established on the unit cost benchmark of the mulch sheets, enabling growers in these locations to receive equitable financial coverage. Category Allocations Across Bikaner's 70-Hectare Target Premaram, Deputy Director at Horticulture Research ATC, detailed that the aggregate 70-hectare distribution target across Bikaner district has been systematically apportioned to ensure inclusive outreach. Out of the total area, 50 hectares are allocated to general category cultivators, while the remaining 20 hectares are explicitly reserved for farmers belonging to the Scheduled Caste category. Ground-level deployment of plastic mulch films plays a pivotal role in retaining soil moisture over prolonged durations, drastically curbing the volume of irrigation water needed in arid conditions. Concurrently, reducing weed competition allows plants to develop unimpeded, thereby boosting commercial crop appearance and grade. Priority Guidelines and Exclusion Criteria for Beneficiaries To broaden the reach of public funding, the administration has placed specific restrictions regarding beneficiary selection. Mukesh Gahlot explained that first preference in sanctioning subsidies will be accorded to farmers who have never previously availed themselves of benefits under this scheme. Conversely, agriculturalists who have already drawn subsidies under this program during the 2025-26 operational year will not be eligible to participate in the present distribution phase. This structural filter is designed to onboard fresh cultivators and expand technological adoption across unserved farming communities throughout the district. Online Application Flow via the Raj Kisan Portal Eligible cultivators seeking to take advantage of the subsidized mulch sheets can submit their formal dossiers online through the official Raj Kisan portal. The department has transitioned the application intake entirely into digital records to ensure smooth administrative clearance. Applicants are strongly advised to thoroughly review the documentation prerequisites, land records, and eligibility criteria before final dispatch. For localized technical clarity or assistance with submission, farmers can consult their nearest Assistant Agriculture Officer or the local Agriculture Supervisor (Horticulture) operating in their respective administrative jurisdictions. What this means for you Horticulture farmers in Bikaner can halve their initial investment in modern field protection while securing major water savings. • Input Cost Relief: Eligible growers receive direct subsidy support capped at 20,000 rupees per hectare. This brings down the standard 40,000 rupees per hectare investment burden to half the original amount. • Water and Labor Savings: Covering rows with mulch film suppresses aggressive weed growth and locks in existing soil moisture. Farmers consequently reduce recurring weeding labor expenses and optimize sparse irrigation rounds. • Digital Application Access: Growers can register directly online using the Raj Kisan web portal without visiting regional offices in person. Verifying land records and banking details beforehand ensures prompt administrative processing. • In Bikaner: The district administration has established a fixed operational boundary of 70 hectares across the territory. This quota is divided into 50 hectares for general farmers and 20 hectares for Scheduled Caste growers. Why this happened This intervention has been introduced to address intense water scarcity and promote scientific farm management across Bikaner's arid terrain. • Demand for Moisture Retention: Arid weather patterns cause rapid surface evaporation and frequent soil moisture depletion in open fields. Applying plastic mulch creates a protective seal that conserves soil hydration across extended cultivation windows. • Weed Suppression Pressures: Unchecked wild vegetation drains essential soil nutrients away from growing cash crops, compounding labor expenditures. Mulching blocks direct sunlight from reaching weed seeds, substantially lowering farm maintenance costs. • Horticultural Modernization Drive: The policy operates under the National Horticulture Mission to expand structured farming infrastructure. Building on initial pilot outcomes, the department is widening technical adoption toward fresh, unserved farming communities. Questions & Answers 1. What is the subsidy rate for plastic mulching in Bikaner? Farmers are eligible for a 50 percent financial subsidy, capped at a maximum of 20,000 rupees per hectare. 2. What is the maximum land area allowed per applicant? An individual farmer can receive the subsidy for a maximum area of up to 2 hectares on a pro-rata basis. 3. What is the targeted cultivation area earmarked for Bikaner district? The target is 70 hectares in total, comprising 50 hectares for general farmers and 20 hectares for Scheduled Caste farmers. 4. Can beneficiaries from the 2025-26 fiscal cycle reapply? No, cultivators who took advantage of the subsidy in 2025-26 are ineligible, as first-time applicants receive priority. 5. Where can growers submit their subsidy applications? Eligible farmers can submit their official applications online through the state's Raj Kisan web portal. 6. Where must the plastic mulch sheets be purchased from? Beneficiaries must procure the mulch sheets exclusively from commercial firms empanelled and contracted by the horticulture department. https://trendkia.com/en/rajasthan/bikaner-men-adhunika-bagavani-ko-barhava-plastika-malchinga-lagane-para-kisanon-ko-milega-50-phisadi-anudana-38244 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.