Patna: The Bihar government plans to expand organic and natural farming across the state, with a renewed focus on young farmers, scientific support and public health, agriculture minister Vijay Kumar Sinha said on Thursday.
Speaking at a review meeting at Krishi Bhawan, Sinha said the government wanted organic farming to evolve into a mass movement rather than remain limited to a niche agricultural practice.
He said the state would encourage and recognise young farmers contributing to organic farming, while also connecting them with modern agricultural techniques and research-driven practices.
As part of its plans for the 2026-27 financial year, the government has set a target of establishing 100 cow dung and biogas units, with subsidies of up to 50% or Rs 22,500 per unit. The state will also continue providing financial assistance for permanent and commercial vermicompost units. Officials have set a target of establishing 7,500 permanent vermicompost units during the year.
The minister said Bihar would also expand natural farming under the National Mission on Natural Farming. The state aims to bring 5,700 hectares under natural farming practices in 2026-27, with participating farmers receiving subsidies of Rs 4,000 per acre.
Sinha said attracting younger generations to agriculture was essential for introducing innovation into the sector. He added that the government intended to create opportunities for young farmers to engage directly with experienced researchers and agricultural experts.
Under the new initiative, joint meetings between researchers and farmers will be organised in every district to provide technical guidance and faster resolution of farming-related issues. The consultations will also be held at the state level.
Addressing concerns that organic farming could reduce agricultural output, the minister said the government aimed to create a model that balanced productivity with quality. He argued that scientific methods could maintain high yields without excessive dependence on chemical fertilisers.
Sinha also linked chemical-intensive farming to growing health and environmental concerns, saying the government’s priority was to protect human immunity, improve soil fertility and reduce pollution through sustainable agricultural practices.
He said the broader goal was to build “prosperous farmers, a healthy society and a clean environment” through the expansion of organic farming across Bihar.
