Patna: The Bihar government is preparing to roll out a network of custom hiring centres in key sugarcane-growing districts to improve farm productivity and ease costs for small farmers.
The centres, to be called Ganna Sewa Kendras, will provide machinery on rent along with basic farm guidance and access to government schemes. The move is aimed at tackling low mechanisation and rising cultivation costs, which have long affected sugarcane yields in the state, Patna Press reported.
Officials said most farmers in Bihar cultivate cane on small landholdings and are unable to afford costly equipment such as planters, ratoon tools and harvesters. Limited access to credit has further slowed the use of modern machinery.
Under the plan, farmers will be able to hire equipment when needed instead of buying it. This is expected to make planting, crop care and harvesting more efficient.
The government believes the centres will help reduce input costs, improve crop quality and increase cane supply to sugar mills. The initiative is also expected to generate rural jobs, with local youth encouraged to operate the centres.
Apart from machinery, the centres will offer advice on crop practices, information on new varieties and support in accessing subsidies and markets.
Officials said details related to funding, equipment and training are being worked out, with priority likely for districts where sugarcane farming is high but mechanisation remains low.
The plan is part of efforts to strengthen Bihar's sugar sector, which supports a large number of farming households.