Patna: The Bihar government has reaffirmed its focus on modernising agriculture by connecting farmers with new technologies, agriculture minister Ram Kripal Yadav said while inaugurating the state-level Agricultural Mechanisation Fair, Agro Bihar 2026, at Gandhi Maidan in Patna on Thursday.
The fair, which will run until March 15, has been organised across an area of more than two lakh square feet and features over 100 stalls displaying modern agricultural machinery and technologies. Manufacturers from several states including Haryana, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal are participating in the event, showcasing equipment designed to improve farming efficiency.
Addressing the gathering, Yadav said the state government is working to increase farmers’ income by making agriculture more technology-driven. He added that farmers are being provided modern agricultural machinery at subsidised rates, with financial assistance transferred directly to beneficiaries’ bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system to ensure transparency and timely support.
Narmdeshwar Lal, principal secretary of the agriculture department, described the fair as a platform that brings farmers and technology together. He said the event has been organised annually in Patna since 2011 and plays an important role in introducing farmers to modern agricultural innovations that can help increase productivity.
Lal also highlighted the challenge of small and fragmented landholdings in the state. To address this, he said the government is encouraging cluster farming, enabling farmers to work collectively and make better use of modern equipment. In addition, Custom Hiring Centres are being established across districts so that small and marginal farmers can rent agricultural machinery when needed.
Speaking at the event, Gaurav Sah, chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Bihar, said the fair is an important platform for strengthening agricultural innovation, farm mechanisation and industry–farmer partnerships. With nearly 70% of Bihar’s population dependent on agriculture, he said modernising farming practices is essential for the state’s economic growth.
Saurabh Suman Yadav, director of agriculture, said mechanisation is crucial to making farming productive, sustainable and profitable. He added that the state government is currently offering subsidies on 91 types of agricultural equipment to encourage farmers to adopt modern farming tools and improve agricultural productivity.
