Patna: Bihar’s agriculture sector is poised for a major transformation as the state government unveiled a comprehensive roadmap aimed at increasing production, productivity, and farmer income, officials said on Wednesday.
Addressing a press conference at the Information and Public Relations Department, Agriculture Minister Ram Kripal Yadav outlined the government’s strategy to modernize farming, promote crop diversification, and strengthen digital and direct benefit transfer (DBT) systems to ensure transparency and efficiency in agricultural support.
“The government is committed to making agriculture a profitable, modern, and respectable profession,” Yadav said. “Small and marginal farmers are being brought into the mainstream of development, and increasing their income is our top priority.” He highlighted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Bihar has already recorded significant gains in crop production and productivity.
The minister emphasized that farmers are not just providers of food but also the backbone of the state’s economy. He outlined initiatives promoting sustainable and climate-resilient farming, value addition, processing, and agriculture-based entrepreneurship. Digital platforms and DBT systems have been strengthened to ensure that benefits reach farmers directly, with strict oversight to curb corruption and eliminate middlemen.
Officials at the press conference detailed the achievements and ongoing initiatives:
- Narmadeshwar Lal, Principal Secretary of the Agriculture Department, cited national recognition through the Krishi Karman Award and the expansion of digital agriculture initiatives, stressing the importance of modern machinery, technological empowerment, and income growth. He encouraged farmers to adopt high-value, short-term, and market-demand crops alongside traditional cultivation.
- Saurabh Suman Yadav, Director of Agriculture, reported significant increases in the production of paddy, wheat, and maize, while outlining strategies to boost pulses and oilseed yields. He noted that fertilizers are readily available and monitored to prevent shortages, and modern farm machinery is being offered at subsidized rates.
- Abhishek Kumar, Director of Horticulture, highlighted cluster-based farming initiatives designed to reduce costs, provide technical guidance, and improve access to markets. He stressed the development of agriculture-based startups, processing units, and cold chain infrastructure. Modern makhana processing machines will soon be introduced to increase efficiency and farmer income.
- Shailendra Kumar, Director of the Marketing Directorate, said market complexes are being renovated and modernized to provide safe storage, systematic display, and fair prices for produce. State market yards are now linked to the e-NAM (National Agriculture Market) portal, enabling farmers to buy and sell produce online and access a nationwide market.
The Agriculture Minister concluded by urging media representatives to act as a bridge between the government and farmers, ensuring that information about schemes reaches every village. He announced plans for district-level visits after the legislative session to interact with farmers, scientists, and agricultural entrepreneurs, reinforcing the government’s commitment to supporting farmers under all circumstances.
“Prosperous farmers mean a developed Bihar,” Yadav said, reiterating the government’s goal to transform agriculture into a sustainable, modern, and income-generating profession.
