Sabour: Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday visited the exhibition stalls set up by Bihar Agricultural University (BAU), Sabour, at the venue of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s programme in Bihar. The stalls showcased cutting-edge agricultural research and advancements, particularly in betel, makhana, and tissue culture-based fruit production.
Accompanied by Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, Bihar Agriculture Minister Mangal Pandey, and Agriculture Secretary Sanjay Agarwal, Chouhan engaged with experts from BAU. Vice-Chancellor Dr D.R. Singh briefed the delegation on the university’s latest innovations, including the world’s first hybrid mango variety developed at Sabour and the Geographical Indication (GI) tag secured for multiple agricultural products benefiting Bihar’s farmers.
The exhibition featured four key stalls showcasing betel and medicinal plant research conducted by the Betel Research Centre, Islampur, along with makhana research and the ‘Sabour Makhana Ek’ variety developed by BPSAC, Purnia. It also highlighted advanced farming techniques, including tissue culture propagation for banana, dragon fruit, and strawberry, as well as hydroponic technology for fodder production and an overview of coarse grain cultivation.
Singh also discussed BAU’s pioneering work in makhana research, particularly its medicinal compounds and potential health benefits. The university’s ongoing efforts to enhance makhana production were also highlighted as part of Bihar’s broader agricultural innovation drive.
