Farmers to get subsidies on poly houses
Jalpaiguri: To combat the challenges posed by erratic weather conditions, the Horticulture department has introduced a financial assistance scheme for farmers to build bamboo poly houses. This initiative aims to support the cultivation of vegetables in adverse weather conditions, such as excessive rainfall or extreme heat.
Under the scheme, farmers growing non-seasonal and winter vegetables are eligible for a subsidy of Rs 45,000 for constructing a 200-square-meter bamboo poly house in the Dhupguri, Mainaguri, Rajganj, and Jalpaiguri Sadar blocks. Additionally, a higher subsidy of up to Rs 2.65 lakh is available for building 500-square-meter poly houses made of galvanised iron (GI) pipes.
The poly houses enable farmers to cultivate high-value vegetables like capsicum, lettuce, spinach, broccoli, radish, and cauliflower, ensuring better yields and profitability. In Jalpaiguri district, vegetable farming often faces setbacks due to heavy rains and extreme temperatures, making such protective structures essential.
Assistant Director of the Jalpaiguri District Horticulture Department, Khurshid Alam, emphasised the importance of proper construction.
“Poly houses should be designed to allow adequate sunlight while shielding crops from ultraviolet rays. Proper air circulation is crucial to prevent damage. If built correctly, these poly houses can also help farmers make the most of rainfall,” he explained. Ajit Roy, a farmer from Maynaguri, shared his experience.
“I earned significant profits by cultivating broccoli and cauliflower in bamboo polyhouses. The government’s financial support has been a great help for farmers like us,” he said.
Currently, 50 farmers across four blocks in the district have adopted cultivation in bamboo polyhouses, with many reporting positive outcomes. The department is optimistic that more farmers will take advantage of this initiative in the coming days, boosting vegetable production and ensuring greater economic stability for the farming community.
