Sitamarhi: Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister and Agriculture Minister, Vijay Kumar Sinha, on Wednesday inaugurated a seed processing unit and warehouse in Muradpur, Sitamarhi, signalling the state government’s growing focus on local agri-infrastructure. The facility, with a processing capacity of one tonne per hour and storage capacity of 500 metric tonnes, aims to ensure timely access to high-quality seeds for farmers across the district.
The event was attended by Culture Minister Motilal Prasad, Sitamarhi MLA Mithilesh Kumar, and presided over by Agriculture Secretary Sanjay Kumar Agarwal.
In his address, the deputy CM called the project a “significant step” towards empowering farmers with modern facilities and strengthening the regional agricultural economy. He highlighted that the unit has already distributed 300 quintals of wheat base seed to over 400 farmers cultivating on 300 hectares. This initiative is expected to generate more than 10,000 quintals of certified wheat seed locally — eliminating the need for sourcing from outside the district.
“This is not just a facility — it’s a move toward self-reliance in agriculture,” Sinha said. “The government’s priority is to make agriculture sustainable, profitable, and driven by local resources.”
The Deputy CM also interacted with farmers during the Kisan Kalyan Samvad programme at Punaura Dham — a symbolic choice, he noted, as the site is associated with King Janak, considered one of India’s earliest farmer figures. Farmers from diverse backgrounds shared their work in floriculture, mushroom farming, and mechanisation, receiving encouragement and assurances from officials for further support.
Sinha reiterated Bihar’s commitment to crop diversification and sustainable farming through schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhanya Yojana and corridor-based projects for organic agriculture. He also spotlighted the newly formed Makhana Board, aimed at supporting over 50,000 farmer families in the Mithila region and opening global market access for Bihar’s renowned aquatic crop.
Agriculture Secretary Sanjay Kumar Agarwal urged farmers to adopt innovations such as the cultivation of aromatic and nutritional crops and assured improved market access. Senior officials from the department, including horticulture and agriculture directors, joined the programme to underline the state’s multi-departmental approach to rural development.
