Kolkata, 06 October (H.S.) :

The West Bengal government has rolled out a major ₹407-crore agricultural subsidy initiative for financial year 2026–27 to drive farm mechanisation and generate employment for rural youth. Introduced by the state Department of Agriculture, the scheme aims to benefit approximately 67,585 farmers across the state.

Under the initiative, subsidies ranging between 40 percent and 80 percent will be provided for purchasing advanced agricultural machinery and setting up farm hubs. The government plans to establish 500 Custom Hiring Centres and 1,085 Farm Machinery Banks across various districts. In an effort to encourage green energy and cutting-edge technology, the scheme also includes the distribution of 100 agricultural drones and 500 solar-powered pump sets.

Eligible farmers enrolled under the Krishak Bandhu or PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi schemes can submit applications through the official departmental portal between October 6 and November 4, 2026. To maintain complete transparency, beneficiaries will be selected via a computerised lottery conducted in the presence of the District Level Approval Committee, with the entire process being videographed.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh