Cluster mein Bagwani Yojana (under “Gaon ki Bagwani, Hamare Gaurav ki Kahani”)
Farmers of a village who plant fruit or aromatic crops together get up to ₹1 lakh an acre, and ₹2 lakh an acre for dragon fruit.
Run by: Directorate of Horticulture, Department of Agriculture, Government of Bihar
- Fruit and aromatic crops
- Up to ₹1 lakh per acre
- Dragon fruit
- Up to ₹2 lakh per acre
- Cluster size
- 25 acres in a village (15 for dragon fruit)
- Approved outlay 2025-26 to 2027-28
- ₹1,480 lakh
Overview
Fruit farming pays best when many farmers in one village grow the same crop, because buyers, transport and advice come to them. This scheme helps Bihar farmers plant orchards in clusters. It is part of the Agriculture Department’s drive called “Gaon ki Bagwani, Hamare Gaurav ki Kahani” — the village orchard, the story of our pride.
An Agriculture Department order of 18 February 2026 approved the scheme for three years, 2025-26 to 2027-28, at ₹1,480 lakh (₹14.80 crore). It runs in all 38 districts. Guava, lemon, apple ber, bael, jackfruit, amla, pomegranate and aromatic plants (tulsi, lemongrass, palmarosa and java citronella) get up to ₹1 lakh an acre. Dragon fruit gets up to ₹2 lakh an acre. The amount includes the plants. It also counts the cost of preparing the land, manure, pest control, irrigation and fencing, and support for the first years when the orchard earns nothing.
A cluster means at least 25 acres in one revenue village, or 15 acres for dragon fruit. Each farmer can take the benefit for 0.25 acre to 10 acres. In 2025-26 only papaya was planted under the scheme. The other crops are planted in June and July 2026, which is 2026-27, and the department has opened its online form for 2026-27.
The money comes in two parts, 65% and 35%. Before the first part, the officer checks your land papers and the planting. The plants must be bought from an approved nursery — an agricultural university nursery, a department nursery, or one approved on the advice of the District Horticulture Officer and the local Krishi Vigyan Kendra. The second part is paid after the plants are checked and at least 75% have survived. Selection is on a first come, first served basis, so early applicants do better.
What you get
The benefit as the state notifies it — nothing here is an estimate.
- Up to ₹1 lakh an acre for guava, lemon, apple ber, bael, jackfruit, amla, pomegranate and aromatic plants.
- Up to ₹2 lakh an acre for dragon fruit. The amount includes the cost of plants.
- Money is paid in two parts, 65% and 35%, straight to your bank account.
- Priority for other department help such as micro-irrigation, transport vehicle, storage, sorting, grading and packaging.
- A local agriculture officer is named to visit the cluster and guide farmers.
Who is eligible
State schemes usually state their criteria as prose rather than a checklist. This is that prose, unpacked — the department’s verification is what decides.
You qualify if
- A farmer in any of Bihar’s 38 districts, registered on the state DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) portal.
- Land of 0.25 to 10 acres for the benefit. Land ownership proof or a revenue receipt is needed. If your name is not clear on the papers, a family-tree (vanshavali) paper is needed.
- Your planting must be part of a cluster of at least 25 acres in one revenue village (15 acres for dragon fruit).
- For papaya, a farmer without land in his own name can also apply with an agreement letter (ekrarnama).
- A bank account registered on the DBT portal.
Not covered
- An application with an error in the uploaded land paper or agreement is rejected, and the reason is recorded on the portal.
Documents you need
Have these ready before you start — most rejections are a missing paper, not a missing right.
- DBT portal registration number
- Land ownership certificate or revenue receipt
- Family-tree (vanshavali) paper, if your name is not clear on the land papers
- Agreement letter (ekrarnama), for a farmer growing papaya on land not in his own name
- Bank account details registered on the DBT portal
How to apply
Fewer steps than a central scheme, and usually one office rather than a portal.
- 1
Register on the DBT portal
Register at dbtagriculture.bihar.gov.in with your Aadhaar. Wait about two days, then use the 13-digit registration number to apply.
- 2
Check your bank details
The form asks you to check the bank account shown on the DBT portal yourself before applying. Payment goes to that account.
- 3
Apply online on the Horticulture Directorate site
Open the “Cluster mein Bagwani Yojana 2026-27” form on horticulture.bihar.gov.in, tick that you agree to the conditions, choose your crop and upload your land papers.
- 4
Get your work order, plant and get verified
Buy plants only from an approved nursery. The Prakhand Udyan Padadhikari (block horticulture officer) checks the planting and the first part of the money is paid, then the rest after plant survival is checked.
If something goes wrong
Missing from the list, or payment stuck — here is the channel the department itself publishes for it.
- For application or payment problems, go to your District Horticulture Officer (Jila Udyan Padadhikari) or block horticulture officer. Carry your DBT registration number and application number.
- For anything not solved, use Bihar Lok Shikayat at lokshikayat.bihar.gov.in or call 1800-345-6284. Bihar law fixes 60 working days to resolve a complaint, with two levels of appeal.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to be part of a cluster?
Yes. The scheme funds clusters — at least 25 acres in one revenue village, or 15 acres for dragon fruit. Talk to neighbouring farmers and the block horticulture officer to form one.
How much do I get per acre?
Up to ₹1 lakh an acre for guava, lemon, apple ber, bael, jackfruit, amla, pomegranate and aromatic plants, and up to ₹2 lakh for dragon fruit. These are maximums and they include the plants.
Is this the same as Dragon Fruit Vikas Yojana?
No. That is a separate mission scheme for dragon fruit in 23 districts. Its order for 2025-26 and 2026-27 works out to 40% of a ₹6.75 lakh per hectare cost, which is ₹2.70 lakh a hectare, in two parts. Some websites still show an older ₹1.8 lakh first-year figure. Check the department’s own instruction.
Is there a last date?
The department’s form shows no last date. Selection is first come, first served and funds are limited, so apply early.
Who gets picked first?
Applications are taken in order of arrival. Selected farmers are shared 78.537% general, 20% Scheduled Castes and 1.463% Scheduled Tribes, and the department tries to give at least 30% to women in every category.
When do I get the second part of the money?
After officers check that at least 75% of your plants have survived. It is paid in 2026-27 or 2027-28 depending on your planting.
Which crops were planted in 2025-26?
Only papaya. The other crops are planted in June and July 2026 (2026-27).
Facts checked against horticulture.bihar.gov.in on 26 September 2026. editorial policy.