Scheme for Loan and Subsidy for Manure and Fertilizer-DNH&DD 2026

This scheme helps large cardamom farmers by providing support to build water storage and irrigation facilities, aiming Read More... to increase crop yield and improve quality. Read less

Details

Are you a large cardamom farmer looking to improve your harvest and quality? The Indian government, through the Spice Board, has a scheme to help you build essential irrigation and water storage facilities.

What is the Large Cardamom Irrigation Land Development Scheme?

This is a special project under a larger initiative focused on boosting spice exports and research. Its main goal is to encourage farmers to create better irrigation systems for their large cardamom crops. This includes building structures to store water, setting up rainwater harvesting, and installing modern irrigation equipment. By doing this, the scheme aims to significantly increase how much cardamom you can grow and make the quality much better.

Who Can Benefit from This Scheme?

This support is for hardworking large cardamom growers. If you own land for growing this spice and are looking to enhance your farming practices, this scheme is designed for you.

Why This Scheme is Important

Water is crucial for good crop production. For large cardamom, having reliable access to water, especially during dry spells, can make a huge difference in yield and the overall quality of the spice. This scheme directly addresses that need, helping farmers overcome water scarcity and improve their livelihoods through better cultivation.

Objective

This scheme helps large cardamom farmers by providing support to build water storage and irrigation facilities, aiming to increase crop yield and improve quality.

Benefits

Provision of Manure and Fertilizers

Manures and fertilizers will be provided to eligible cultivators.
Assistance is given in kind and not in cash.

Subsidy and Loan Component

Assistance is provided on a 40% subsidy and 60% loan basis.

Crop-wise Fertilizer Quantity (in Nutrients)

Paddy: Nitrogen 110, Phosphorus 60, Potash 60
Maize: Nitrogen 100, Phosphorus 50
Groundnut: Nitrogen 25, Phosphorus 50
Castor: Nitrogen 20, Phosphorus 20
Wheat: Nitrogen 100, Phosphorus 50, Potash 50
Sugarcane: Nitrogen 250, Phosphorus 125, Potash 125

Green Manuring Support

40 kg of seeds per hectare will be supplied for green manuring.

Loan Recovery Provision

The loan amount shall be recovered in one instalment after completion of the season.

Season-wise Recovery Period

Kharif (June to July): Recovery from December to February
Rabi (October to November): Recovery from March to May
Hot Weather (January to February): Recovery from June to July

Interest and Penalty Condition

Interest rate will be as prescribed by the Government of India from time to time.
In case of default, penal interest at 2½% will be charged.
Recovery will be made as arrears of land revenue.

Sources and references

Official Website

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for this scheme, you must meet the following conditions:

You must be a large cardamom farmer located in Sikkim, the Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts of West Bengal, or any other North Eastern State.
Any construction for irrigation or water storage must be done in areas where it's permitted. It's important that these structures don't block natural water flows, like streams, and are not opposed by the local community or authorities.
Ensure that your planned construction work follows all local rules and environmental guidelines.
You need to apply and allow designated government officials to inspect your proposed site. They will conduct a final check and only recommend genuinely eligible applicants for the assistance.
The Inspecting Officer will verify that all scheme conditions are met and that there are no violations before approving your application for financial support.

How To Apply

The application process involves careful planning and official verification:

Prepare a detailed plan and cost estimate for the proposed water storage or irrigation structure. This must be done by a qualified and registered civil engineer, following government-approved rates for construction.
Submit your application, along with all required documents, to the designated officials.
Officials will conduct inspections to verify land ownership, the feasibility of the proposed structure, and adherence to all rules.
Once verified and approved by the Inspecting Officer, eligible cases will be recommended for sanction of the subsidy.

For the latest application details and submission addresses, please refer to the official notifications from the Spice Board.

Documents Required

To apply for this scheme, you will need to submit the following documents:

Proof of land ownership or legal possession (e.g., Parcha).
Your Aadhaar card.
A copy of your Bank Pass Book.
If the land is not registered in your name, you'll need a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the concerned Panchayat.
A detailed plan and estimate of the proposed structure, prepared by a qualified registered/licensed or Government civil engineer, following Government-approved rates for construction.

Official Sources

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please visit the official website of the Spice Board or contact their local offices.

FAQ’s

Can I apply if my land isn't registered in my name?

Yes, if your land is not in your name, you will need to get a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the local Panchayat to be eligible.

What is the maximum amount of subsidy I can get?

General category applicants can get up to ₹30,000, while SC/ST applicants can receive up to ₹45,000 per unit, depending on the subsidy percentage (50% for general, 75% for SC/ST).

What are the geographical areas covered by this scheme?

The scheme is available for large cardamom farmers in Sikkim, Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts of West Bengal, and other regions in the North Eastern States of India.

Do I need an engineer's plan for the structure?

Absolutely. You need a plan and an estimate for the proposed construction from a registered or government-approved civil engineer, following official rates.

What is the main goal of the Large Cardamom Irrigation scheme?

The primary goal is to help large cardamom farmers increase their crop's yield and improve its quality by supporting the creation of better irrigation and water storage facilities.

Is there a minimum land size requirement to apply?

No, but there is a land holding size criteria. You must have between 0.10 hectares and 8 hectares of land to be eligible.

What should I do if I have already benefited from this scheme before?

Unfortunately, if you have previously received benefits under this exact scheme, you are not eligible to apply again.

What if my construction blocks natural water flow?

Constructions that obstruct the natural flow of water, including streams, are not permitted under this scheme. You must ensure your project complies with environmental norms.

How does the inspecting officer ensure fairness?

The Inspecting Officer plays a key role by visiting the site to confirm that all the conditions of the scheme are met and that there are no violations before recommending your application for approval.

What are the essential documents needed for the application?

You'll need proof of land ownership/possession, your Aadhaar card, bank passbook, an NOC from the Panchayat if applicable, and a detailed plan/estimate from a civil engineer.

What is the minimum water storage capacity required?

To be eligible for the maximum subsidy amount, the irrigation or water storage structure you build must have a minimum capacity of 25 cubic meters.