Agriculture in Bihar

Agriculture is critical to the overall economic growth of Bihar. Bihar’s agriculture is rich and diversified since it is provided with fertile alluvial soil groundwater supplies. Because of its excellent alluvial soil and groundwater supplies, it is India’s fourth greatest producer of vegetables and eighth largest producer of fruits.

Agriculture is the backbone of Bihar’s economy, employing 77 percent of the workforce and accounting for almost 24.84 percent of the state’s GDP. In Bihar, the percentage of the people working in the agricultural production system is believed to be approximately 80%, which is higher than the national average. Because of its rich and diversified agriculture, the state has achieved self-sufficiency in food grain production.

Despite the fact that agricultural land is declining, there is enormous potential for revenue production through boosting productivity. Adverse meteorological conditions, such as draughts and floods, do have a role in product decrease. However, irrigation, flood control, and drainage projects can help to mitigate these harsh conditions to some extent. Agriculture output can only be raised to a certain level by increasing cropping intensity, changing cropping patterns, improving high yielding seed varieties, cultivation practices, and the availability of better post-harvest procedures, among other things. The state administration is attempting to reorient agriculture through policy and actions aimed at diversification.

Bihar: Agriculture

Agriculture is the most common private-sector activity in Bihar. The agricultural production system’s purpose is to maximize the income of landowners and landless rural populations in order to enhance their lifestyles. Because of the sensitivity to income and consumption shocks, it is critical to build institutional agricultural insurance mechanisms to deal with such risks.

Bihar’s agriculture is rich and diversified since it is provided with fertile alluvial soil groundwater supplies. Because of its rich alluvial soil and ground water resources, it is India’s fourth largest producer of vegetables and eighth largest producer of fruits. Arhar, moong, gramme, pea, lentils, and khesari are some of the pulses grown in Bihar.

Agriculture employs about 70% of Bihar’s rural workforce and accounts for more than a quarter of the state’s GDP. As a result, quick agricultural growth is critical for Bihar. The state government began deploying Agriculture Road Maps in 2008 and is presently on its third, all with the goal of promoting crop and livestock production increase and raising farm incomes.

Groundwater Resources

Ground water resources are critical to the survival of many countries throughout the world. Its ubiquity, dependability, and availability throughout the year have made it the primary shield against droughts, playing a critical role in guaranteeing food security at all levels. Furthermore, it plays a key role in guaranteeing global drinking water supply.

Annual Replenishable Groundwater Resources

 According to the GroundWater Estimation Committee’s (GEC) 1997 approved technique, the yearly replenishable groundwater reserve is 28.62 billion cubic meters (bcm). The gross groundwater draught for irrigation is 9.79 billion cubic meters, while the draught for household and industrial usage is 1.56 billion cubic meters. After allowing for natural outflow, the availability of the net groundwater has been calculated to be 2.62 bcm. The availability of groundwater for future irrigation needs, after allowing for residential usage, has been calculated to be 13.89 bcm for the year 2025. The availability of groundwater resources varies greatly from district to district due to differences in lithological condition and geographical area.

The state’s level of development ranges from 23.32 percent (Aurangabad district) to 64.92 percent (Nalanda district). The majority of the district is still in the early stages of development. Only in two districts, Nalanda and Jehanabad, is the development stage between 61 and 70 percent. As of March 2009, the overall stage of groundwater development in Bihar was calculated to be 43 percent.

A review of the stage of groundwater development revealed that, of the total 533 assessment units, 483 have a stage of development within 70 percent and 49 have a stage of development between 71 and 90 percent. Only Nagarnausa (96.3 percent) in the Nalanda district, has a percentage greater than 90%. A review of the groundwater development stage reveals that the majority of the blocks are in the sage category, and the accessible water level trend of wells does not demonstrate any substantial lowering of any patch with large aerial expanse. Only four blocks, Gaya Sadar in Gaya district, Meskaur or Nawada district, Nagarnausa and Rajgir in Nalanda district, are classified as semi-critical.

Conclusion

Bihar is one of the most productive agricultural states in the country. Agricultural production employs about 80% of Bihar’s population, which is much more than the national average. Bihar’s agriculture is rich and diversified since it is provided with fertile alluvial soil groundwater supplies. Because of its excellent alluvial soil and groundwater supplies, it is India’s fourth greatest producer of vegetables and eighth largest producer of fruits. Food processing, sugar production, healthcare, and the dairy sector are among the state’s fastest-growing businesses. The state has planned steps to expand other industries such as education and tourism, as well as IT and renewable energy incentives.