Scheme for Plantation Development

The Scheme for Plantation Development is a government initiative designed to encourage the establishment and expansion of plantation crops in India. Under this scheme, financial assistance is provided to growers for planting, maintenance, and replanting of selected plantation trees. The objective is to support long-term productivity, better yields and sustainable land use, especially in traditional and non-traditional plantation areas.

The benefits of the scheme can be summed up as follows:

• Financial support for establishment of new plantations and replanting of old ones.

• Assistance for maintenance operations including weeding, fertiliser application and irrigation.

• Subsidy for planting material to reduce upfront cost for growers.

• Special incentives for non-traditional and North Eastern Region plantations.

• Financial support of ₹25,000 per hectare to be provided for the general category in the traditional region.

• Subsidies of up to ₹40,000 per hectare for the SC category in the traditional region.

• Financial support of up to ₹40,000 per hectare to be offered for the no-traditional region and North Eastern region.

• Assistance is offered at the rate of ₹10 per plant for up to 500 plants per hectare.

The eligibility for financial assistance under the Scheme for Plantation Development differs for Traditional and Non-Traditional/North Eastern regions.

For Traditional Regions:

• Growers owning up to 2 hectares of rubber area are eligible under Rule VI of the scheme.

• The maximum planting grant is applicable for up to 1 hectare of land.

• New planting or replanting must cover a minimum of 0.10 hectare to qualify.

• Applicants must have absolute ownership or possession of the land.

• Areas identified or certified as paddy fields are not eligible for assistance.
  

For Non-Traditional and North Eastern Regions:

• Growers owning up to 5 hectares of rubber area can apply.

• The grant limit applies to a maximum of 2 hectares.

• A minimum of 0.10 hectare is required for new or replanted areas.

• Land ownership or possession must be clearly established.

• Paddy fields are excluded from financial support.
  

Other Terms and Conditions:

• A minimum stand of 450 rubber plants per hectare must be maintained with satisfactory growth.

• Limited numbers of non-rubber trees may be retained—up to 20 timber trees, 40 coconut palms, or 80 arecanut palms per hectare, evenly distributed.

• Soil and boundary protection measures such as terracing, bunds, silt pits, and cover crops must be in place on sloping lands.

• The Executive Director of the Rubber Board retains full authority to accept or reject applications without assigning reasons.

Follow the process mentioned below to apply for the scheme:

1. Register on the ServicePlus portal (https://serviceonline.gov.in/dbt/).

2. Log in to the portal using your credentials.

3. Navigate to the “Apply for Service” section and click on “View All Available Services”.

4. Click on the “Rubber Plantation Development Scheme” option.

5. Fill in the application form and submit the application online or at the designated regional office of the implementing agency.

6. The application is reviewed for eligibility and site verification is arranged.

7. If approved, the subsidy is sanctioned and the grower begins eligible operations.

8. The implementing agency monitors progress and disburses funds in stages as per plantation milestones.
   

The Scheme for Plantation Development provides valuable support to growers committed to planting and maintaining tree-crops. For growers and enterprises looking to scale operations or invest in processing facilities, instant business loans from Bajaj Markets can complement these subsidies and enable complete financing for plantation-based ventures.