Bihar farmers can apply for farm machinery subsidy under the 2026-27 Krishi Yantrikaran Yojana on the OFMAS portal, farmech.bihar.gov.in, from 1 November 2026 to 30 November 2026. Subsidy ranges from 40% to 80% of the price depending on the machine and your category, paid by DBT after you buy from an approved dealer.
Updated 5 November 2026
If you're a farmer in Bihar planning to buy a super seeder before the rabi season, or a power tiller, or even a small makhana machine, this is your window. The Department of Agriculture opened OFMAS (Online Farm Mechanization Application Software) applications on 1 November 2026, and the window shuts on 30 November 2026. Here's who can apply, how much subsidy you get for common machines, and how the process goes from application to money in your account.
Quick facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Official portal | OFMAS, Department of Agriculture, Bihar |
| Helpline | Kisan Call Centre 1800-180-1551; your block's Krishi Samanvayak (AC) or Block Agriculture Officer (BAO) |
| Fee | No application fee for individual farmers |
| Deadline | Apply between 1 November 2026 and 30 November 2026 |
| Documents | DBT Agriculture farmer registration number, Aadhaar-linked bank account, mobile number |
| Subsidy | 40% to 80% of the price, with a fixed rupee cap per machine; higher for SC, ST and EBC farmers |
| Payment | Direct transfer to your bank account after physical verification of the machine |
Who can apply
☐ Individual farmers registered on Bihar's DBT Agriculture portal. If you've applied for any agriculture department scheme in Bihar before, you likely already have a registration number. If not, register first on dbtagriculture.bihar.gov.in. ☐ Jeevika groups, societies, SHGs and FIGs can register for Custom Hiring Centres and Farm Machinery Banks in the same window, 1 November 2026 to 30 November 2026. ☐ Progressive farmers can apply for a Custom Hiring Center (CHC) under SMAM. ☐ Manufacturers and dealers have their own registration on the portal.
The scheme runs under SMAM (Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization) along with the state's own mechanisation scheme.
Subsidy rates for common machines (2026-27)
The department's revised subsidy list for 2026-27 lists 86 machines. The subsidy is the percentage or the rupee cap, whichever is lower. Here are some of the ones farmers ask about most:
| Machine | General category | SC, ST, EBC |
|---|---|---|
| Super seeder, 6 feet (tractor driven) | 75%, up to ₹1,42,000 | 80%, up to ₹1,52,000 |
| Super seeder, 7 feet (tractor driven) | 75%, up to ₹1,50,000 | 80%, up to ₹1,60,000 |
| Rotary mulcher (35 HP and above) | 75%, up to ₹1,10,000 | 80%, up to ₹1,20,000 |
| Zero till seed drill (9 tine and above) | 75%, up to ₹40,000 | 80%, up to ₹43,000 |
| Straw reaper | 40%, up to ₹1,20,000 | 50%, up to ₹1,50,000 |
| Power tiller (8 HP and above) | 40%, up to ₹60,000 | 50%, up to ₹75,000 |
| Self-propelled paddy transplanter (4 row) | 40%, up to ₹75,200 | 50%, up to ₹94,000 |
| Mini tractor (up to 20 HP), 2 wheel drive | 40%, up to ₹1,20,000 | 50%, up to ₹1,50,000 |
| Mini tractor (up to 20 HP), 4 wheel drive | 40%, up to ₹1,60,000 | 50%, up to ₹2,00,000 |
| Power weeder (2 to 5 BHP) | 40%, up to ₹18,000 | 50%, up to ₹22,500 |
| Makhana popping machine | 70%, up to ₹1,40,000 | 80%, up to ₹1,60,000 |
| Small manual tool kit (khurpi, sickle, hoe and more) | 80%, up to ₹640 | 80%, up to ₹640 |
We've read these from the department's scanned PDF, so please double-check the exact row for your machine in the official 2026-27 implement list before you go to a dealer. The crop residue machines like super seeders and mulchers get the highest rates, because the state wants farmers to stop burning stubble.
Subsidy for Custom Hiring Centres and Farm Machinery Banks
If you're a group or a progressive farmer planning to rent out machines in your area, these are the 2026-27 rates shown on the portal:
| Scheme | Subsidy |
|---|---|
| SMAM-CHC (Custom Hiring Center) | 40%, up to ₹4,00,000 |
| SMAM-FMB (Farm Machinery Bank) | 80%, up to ₹8,00,000 |
| SMAM-SCHC (Special Custom Hiring Center) | Tractor 40% up to ₹3,40,000; other machines 80%; total cap ₹12,00,000 including tractor |
The Special CHC option is open only in some districts, including Patna, Gaya, Nalanda, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Bhagalpur, Purnia and others listed on the portal. There's also a separate Krishi Drone CHC option this year.
How to apply, step by step
1. Go to farmech.bihar.gov.in and click the option to apply for subsidy (आवेदन करें) under SMAM for individual farmers.
2. Enter your DBT Agriculture registration number. Your name, address and bank details come from that registration, so make sure they're correct there first.
3. Choose the machine or machines you want. Check the subsidy and cap shown.
4. Save the application, then use Update / Finalize to lock it. An application that's saved but not finalised won't move ahead.
5. Print the acknowledgement (पावती प्रिंट करें) and note your Reference Number.
You can track it anytime using स्थिति देखें with your Reference Number.
What happens after you apply
The portal lays out five stages:
☐ Verification. Your application is checked by the Krishi Samanvayak (AC), then the Block Agriculture Officer (BAO), then the District Agriculture Officer level (DDAE). ☐ Permit. Once verified, a permit is generated. Don't buy the machine before you get this permit, or you may not get subsidy. ☐ Purchase. Buy the machine from a dealer approved on OFMAS. The portal lists approved manufacturers, dealers and models. ☐ Physical verification. After the dealer supplies the machine, the AC physically checks it. ☐ Payment. After the claim is approved, the subsidy amount is sent to your bank account by DBT.
Permits usually come with a validity period, so once you get one, don't sit on it. If you can't buy within time, the permit may lapse.
Tips so your application doesn't get stuck
☐ Fix any name or bank mismatch on your DBT registration before applying. Most rejections come from here. ☐ Your bank account should be Aadhaar-seeded and active for DBT. ☐ Buy only an approved model from an approved dealer. Check the "मॉडल सूची (स्वीकृत)" and "विक्रेता सूची (स्वीकृत)" lists on the portal. ☐ Keep the dealer's GST bill and photos of the machine. The AC may ask for them at verification. ☐ Don't pay anyone who promises a "guaranteed permit". The process is online and there's no fee.
How this compares with UP's farm machinery scheme
UP runs its own token-based booking with an e-lottery, which we covered in our post on the UP farm machinery subsidy. Bihar's OFMAS works on applications, verification and permits instead, with no token money for individual farmers. If you also need a caste or income certificate for any scheme, our guide on Bihar caste, income and residence certificates on RTPS walks you through it.
To find your local MLA or MP for any follow-up, check NetaSampark's Bihar page.
Which machine makes sense for a small farmer?
Most Bihar farmers have small plots, often under one hectare, so it's worth thinking before you pick the biggest machine on the list.
If you own a tractor, a super seeder or zero till seed drill gives you the best value right now. You can sow wheat straight into paddy stubble without burning it, save one or two ploughings, and the subsidy is 75% to 80%. Many farmers also earn by sowing neighbours' fields on rent.
If you don't own a tractor, look at a power tiller or a power weeder. They're cheaper, the subsidy is 40% to 50%, and they're easy to handle on small plots.
If you grow makhana in Mithila or Kosi areas, the makhana popping machine has one of the highest subsidies on the list at 70% to 80%, and it can turn raw seeds into a much better-priced product.
If you're in a group, a Custom Hiring Center or Farm Machinery Bank lets your Jeevika group or FIG buy several machines together and rent them out. The 80% FMB subsidy is very generous, so it's worth talking to your block office about it.
Whatever you choose, ask the dealer for the exact model number and match it with the approved model list on OFMAS before paying any advance.
Frequently asked questions
What is the last date to apply for Bihar Krishi Yantra Anudan 2026-27?
30 November 2026. The window opened on 1 November 2026 on farmech.bihar.gov.in.
How much subsidy will I get on a super seeder in Bihar?
For a 6-feet super seeder, 75% up to ₹1,42,000 for general category and 80% up to ₹1,52,000 for SC, ST and EBC farmers, as per the 2026-27 list. Check the official PDF for your exact model.
Do I need DBT Agriculture registration?
Yes. Individual farmers apply using their DBT Agriculture registration number, and the subsidy goes to the bank account linked there.
Can I buy the machine first and apply later?
No. Wait for the permit after verification, then buy from an approved dealer. Buying before the permit can make you ineligible.
How do I check my application status?
On farmech.bihar.gov.in, use the status option (स्थिति देखें) and enter the Reference Number from your acknowledgement.
Sources
☐ OFMAS, Department of Agriculture, Bihar ☐ Department of Agriculture, Bihar: revised subsidy rates for implements 2026-27 (PDF) ☐ DBT Agriculture, Bihar: farmer registration ☐ Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare: SMAM