Agriculture of Bihar

by

agriculture of Bihar :- Agriculture of Bihar is the vital source of wealth in the State with about 79% of its Population is engaged in agricultural pursuits. Agriculture of Bihar productive contribution in food grain, fruit, vegetables, spices and flowers can increase manifold with improved methods and system management.

Agro-Climate Condition:–

Based on Soil characterization, rainfall, temperature and terrain, four main agro-climatic zones in Bihar have been identified. These are:

 (a)  Agro- Climatic Zone I ((Northern West–)):Agriculture of Bihar

The lands of this zone which are alluvial plains are sloppy towards the south east direction with a very low gradient as evidenced by the direction in which the rivers flow. In this Zone West Champaran, East Champaran, Siwan, Saran, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Samastipur, Gopalganj and Begusarai are covered. However, the rivers move eastward direction along the natural levee before they finally meet the Ganga. As a result, there are vast waterlogged areas in the districts of Saran, Vaishali and Samastipur. Due to near flatness of the landscape, vast area gets flooded during rains.

This zone has the following six broad soil association groups:

  1. Sub – Himalayan and forest soils
  2. Recent alluvial tarai soils

iii.            Young alluvial calcareous soils

  1. Young alluvial calcareous Saline Soils
  2. Young alluvial non – calcareous, non saline soils, and
  3. Recent alluvial calcareous soils

The soils are moderately rich to poor in nitrogen (especially in Gopalganj and Siwan districts), moderate to very low in available phosphorus and medium to high in available potash. The soils are showing symptoms of deficiency of zinc and iron mostly induced by high available calcium.

 

 (b)       Agro- Climatic Zone II ((Northern East)):

This zone, the alluvial plains of Kosi, Mahananda and its tributes and Ganga (a narrow strip in the south) is slightly undulating to rolling landscape mixed with long stretches of nearly flat landscape with pockets of areas having sub – normal relief. In this Zone Purnea, Katihar, Saharsa, Supaul, Madhepura, Khagaria, Araria and Kishanganj are covered.

Three broad soil association groups have been identified in this zone are:

  1. Recent alluvial tarai soil
  2. Recent alluvial non calcareous soil
  3. Recent alluvial calcareous soil.

The soils are very Light to medium textured except for those in between the natural levees of Ganga and Kosi and Mahananda and away from the influence of running water of the rivers.

 (c)      Agro-Climatic Zone III ((Southern East & West)):

This zone can be categorised in two Sub zone:-

  1. Agro-climatic zone IIIA (Southern East):- Districts lies in this Zone are Sheikhpura, Munger, Jamui, Lakhisarai, Bhagalpur & Banka.
  2. Agro-climatic zone IIIB (Southern West):– Districts lies in this Zone are Rohtas, Bhojpur, Buxar, Bhabhua, Arwal, Patna, Nalanda, Nawada, Jehanabad, Aurangabad, Gaya.

Agro-Climatic Zone III is zone is the alluvial plains of river Ganga on its southern side and the sediments are received both from river Ganga and those flowing from the south having their origins in the Chhotanagpur Plateau, which rise abruptly from the plains.  In the south of the natural levee of the Ganga, there is vast stretch of backwaters known as “Tal” lands extending from Buxar to Pirpaity, where most of the rivers and rivulets coming from the south get lost. The flood plains of Ganga, which get reworked and get eroded and deposited at regular intervals, are lighter than “Tal” lands  known locally as Diara lands.There are no marshy lands in this zone.

The main broad soil association groups recognized in this zone are :

  1. Recent alluvial calcareous soils
  2. Tal land soils, light grey, dark grey medium to heavy textured soils
  3. Old alluvial reddish yellow, yellowish grey centenary soils.
  4. Old alluvial grey, grayish yellow, heavy texture soils with cracking nature
  5. Recent alluvial yellowish to reddish yellow non calcareous non saline soils.
  6. Old alluvial yellowish to red yellow soils of foot hills
  7. Old alluvial saline and saline alkali soils.

The soils of this zone except that of ‘Diara’ area and ‘Tal’ lands are moderately well drained to somewhat poorly drained, moderately acidic to slightly alkaline and medium textured to heavy textured soils.

Land Utilization Pattern:-

Out of total geographical area, 57.12 lakh hectare is under cultivation which is around 60 per cent of the total.  23.58 lakh hectare area is put to cultivation more than once in a year. Therefore the Gross cropped area is 78.82 lakh hectares.

 Source wise Net Irrigated Area (Lakh Acre):-

  • Canal-23.77
  • Ponds-4.00
  • Tube wells-55.35
  • Wells-0.3
  • Others-3.125

Irrigated area to net cultivated area is 61.12%

Crop wise Gross Irrigated Area (Lakh Acre):-

  • Bhadai-5.175
  • Aghani-45.45
  • Rabi-57.275
  • Zaid-8.25

Agriculture Cropping Pattern:-

Cropping pattern in dominated by Cereals. Rice-wheat Cropping System occupies more than 70% of the gross cropped area. Pulses occupy around 7 percent of the gross cropped area. The important cropping sequence of different zones is:

(a)  Agro- Climatic Zone I ((Northern West–)):  Rice – Wheat, Rice – Rai, Rice – Sweet Potato, Rice – Maize (Rabi), Maize – Wheat, Maize – Sweet Potato, Maize – Rai, Rice – Lentil, Rice-linseed
(b)       Agro- Climatic Zone II ((Northern East)): Jute – Wheat, Jute – Potato, Jute – Kalai, Jute – Mustard, Rice – Wheat – Moong, Rice – Toria

(c)      Agro-Climatic Zone III ((Southern East & West)): Rice – Wheat, Rice – Gram, Rice – Lentil, Rice – Rai

Horticulture-2/”>Horticulture:-

According to the old and existing data, a brief analysis is made on the status of Horticulture in the state which is furnished below:

  • Fruit Crops:-

The major fruit crops grown in Bihar are Mango, Guava, Litchi, Banana, etc. apart from these major crops minor crops like. Makhana, Pineapple, Betelvine are also grown. The area of fruit crops in Bihar during 2005-06 was 291.61 thousand hectares which was increased to 331.52 thousand hectares in 2014-15. Similarly the production was also increased from 3068.4 25 thousand metric tonnes in 2005-06 to 4120.88 thousand metric tonnes in 2014-15, the productivity of fruit crops has also increased significantly in 2008-09 (12.45) as compared to 2005-06 (11.2). Almost all the districts of North Bihar particularly Muzaffarpur, East Champaran and Samastipur have good potentiality in respect of litchi cultivation. Similarly Makhana, a pioneer fruit of Bihar is also grown intensively in the districts of Darbhanga, Madhubani, Saharsa, Katihar, Araria and Purnea.

  • Vegetables:-

Almost all Vegetable Crops like solanaceous, cucurbits, beans, cole crops, okra, onion and other root crops are widely grown successfully in the state. The total area of vegetable crops was recorded 498.529 thousand hectare with the production of 7654.435 thousand metric tonnes (2005-06) which increased to 912. 21 thousand hectare with the production of 15968.25 thousand metric tonnes (2014-15).

  • Spices:-

Chilli, Turmeric, Coriander, Ginger, Garlic & Methi are the major spices grown in Bihar.

  • Flowers:-

The major commercial flowers like Marigold, Rose, Tuberose, Gladiolus and Jasmine are cultivated in Bihar.

The aromatic plants like Japanese Mint, Lemongrass, Pamaroja, J. citronella have been promoted by Horticulture Mission for commercial cultivation among farmers.

Recend developments towards Agriculture:–

  1. Recently the government gave its nod for an ambitious “agriculture road map (2017-22)” aiming to ensure “at least one Bihari dish on the plate of every Indian” over the next five years at an estimated cost of nearly Rs 1.55 lakh crore. Execution of the road map will also help attaining desired objectives of Food Security, Nutrition, inclusive development and increase in farmers’ income.The road map includes programmes by as many as 12 departments, including Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Pisciculture, Revenue and Land reforms, Water Resources, Power and Food Processing.
  2. Recently Government has decided to launch a unique plan of developing “organic corridors” alongside both banks of river Ganga by encouraging vegetable farmers of selected riverine villages not to use chemical fertilisers in their fields. Besides providing some financial incentives for using “only organic manures” in the fields falling under the corridor, the government would also suggest the farmers to re-use treated waters of those sewerages which fall in the holy river. The “organic corridor” scheme will be launched in the last week of coming October from a village near Patna.

 

 ,

Agriculture is the backbone of the Bihar economy, accounting for about 20% of the state’s GDP. The state has a long history of agriculture, dating back to the Indus Valley Civilization. The climate of Bihar is tropical, with hot summers and cool winters. The soils of Bihar are mostly alluvial, and the state is well-watered by the Ganges and its tributaries.

The main crops grown in Bihar are rice, wheat, maize, pulses, and oilseeds. The state is also a major producer of sugarcane, vegetables, and fruits. Livestock is also an important part of the agricultural economy, with Bihar being a major producer of milk, meat, and eggs. Fisheries-2/”>Fisheries are also important, with the state producing a significant amount of fish.

Forests cover about 20% of the state’s area, and they play an important role in the economy by providing timber, fuelwood, and other forest products. Irrigation is essential for agriculture in Bihar, and the state has a well-developed irrigation system. Agricultural research is carried out by the Bihar Agricultural University, and agricultural Education is provided by the state’s agricultural universities and colleges. Agricultural extension is provided by the state’s agricultural extension service, and agricultural Marketing is carried out by the state’s Agricultural Marketing board. Agricultural cooperatives are also important in the state, and they provide a number of Services to farmers, including credit, marketing, and input supply.

The agricultural policy of Bihar is aimed at promoting sustainable agricultural development. The State Government has implemented a number of schemes to promote agriculture, including the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY), the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), and the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN).

Agricultural development in Bihar has been hampered by a number of challenges, including poor Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE, lack of irrigation, and low productivity. The state government has taken a number of steps to address these challenges, including improving the infrastructure, increasing the irrigation potential, and promoting the use of high-yielding varieties of seeds.

The agricultural future of Bihar is bright, and the state has the potential to become a major agricultural producer. The state government has taken a number of steps to promote agriculture, and the agricultural sector is expected to grow in the coming years.

The following are some of the agricultural challenges in Bihar:

  • Poor infrastructure: The state’s infrastructure is in poor condition, which makes it difficult for farmers to transport their produce to markets.
  • Lack of irrigation: The state has a limited irrigation potential, which makes it difficult for farmers to grow crops during the dry season.
  • Low productivity: The productivity of crops in Bihar is low, which means that farmers are not able to earn a good income from their produce.
  • Lack of research and development: The state has a limited research and development capacity, which means that farmers are not able to access new technologies and practices.
  • Lack of extension services: The state’s extension services are not well-developed, which means that farmers are not able to get the information and support they need to improve their productivity.
  • Lack of credit facilities: The state’s credit facilities are not well-developed, which means that farmers are not able to get the loans they need to invest in their farms.
  • Lack of marketing facilities: The state’s marketing facilities are not well-developed, which means that farmers are not able to get a good price for their produce.
  • Lack of agricultural cooperatives: The state’s agricultural cooperatives are not well-developed, which means that farmers are not able to get the support they need from these organizations.

The following are some of the agricultural opportunities in Bihar:

  • The state has a large population, which means that there is a large market for agricultural produce.
  • The state has a favorable climate for agriculture, which means that a wide range of crops can be grown.
  • The state has a large amount of land that is suitable for agriculture.
  • The state has a large number of young people who are interested in agriculture.
  • The state has a number of government schemes that support agriculture.
  • The state has a number of private companies that are investing in agriculture.

The following are some of the agricultural futures in Bihar:

  • The state is expected to become a major agricultural producer in the coming years.
  • The state is expected to increase its agricultural exports.
  • The state is expected to improve its agricultural productivity.
  • The state is expected to develop its agricultural infrastructure.
  • The state is expected to develop its agricultural research and development capacity.
  • The state is expected to develop its agricultural extension services.
  • The state is expected to develop its Agricultural credit facilities.
  • The state is expected to develop its agricultural marketing facilities.
  • The state is expected to develop its agricultural cooperatives.

What is agriculture?

Agriculture is the practice of cultivating plants and livestock. Agriculture was the key development in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that enabled people to live in cities. The history of agriculture began thousands of years ago. After gathering wild grains beginning at least 105,000 years ago, nascent farmers began to plant them around 11,500 years ago. Pigs, sheep and cattle were domesticated over 10,000 years ago. Plants were independently cultivated in at least 11 regions of the world.

What are the different types of agriculture?

There are many different types of agriculture, but some of the most common include:

  • Subsistence agriculture: This type of agriculture is practiced by small farmers who grow crops and raise livestock to meet their own needs.
  • Commercial agriculture: This type of agriculture is practiced by large-scale farmers who grow crops and raise livestock to sell for profit.
  • Intensive agriculture: This type of agriculture uses high levels of inputs, such as fertilizer and pesticides, to produce high yields.
  • Extensive agriculture: This type of agriculture uses low levels of inputs and produces low yields.
  • Organic agriculture: This type of agriculture uses natural methods to grow crops and raise livestock.
  • Sustainable Agriculture: This type of agriculture practices that are designed to protect the Environment and conserve resources.

What are the benefits of agriculture?

Agriculture provides many benefits, including:

  • Food: Agriculture provides us with the food we need to survive.
  • Jobs: Agriculture employs millions of people around the world.
  • Economic Development: Agriculture is a major driver of economic development in many countries.
  • Environmental protection: Agriculture can be practiced in ways that protect the environment.
  • Social stability: Agriculture can help to promote social stability by providing people with a way to make a living.

What are the challenges of agriculture?

Agriculture faces many challenges, including:

  • Climate Change: Climate change is making it more difficult to grow crops and raise livestock.
  • Water scarcity: Water scarcity is a major challenge for agriculture in many parts of the world.
  • Soil degradation: Soil degradation is a major problem for agriculture, as it reduces the productivity of land.
  • Pests and diseases: Pests and diseases can devastate crops and livestock.
  • Market volatility: The prices of agricultural products are often volatile, which can make it difficult for farmers to make a profit.
  • Trade barriers: Trade barriers can make it difficult for farmers to sell their products in other countries.

What is the future of agriculture?

The future of agriculture is uncertain, but it is likely that the Industry will continue to face challenges such as climate change, water scarcity, and soil degradation. However, there are also opportunities for agriculture to play a role in addressing these challenges. For example, agriculture can be used to produce biofuels, which can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Agriculture can also be used to restore degraded land and improve water management.

1. Which of the following is not a major crop grown in Bihar?
(A) Rice
(B) Wheat
(C) Sugarcane
(D) Tea

2. Which of the following is the main source of irrigation in Bihar?
(A) Canals
(B) Wells
(C) Tanks
(D) Tube wells

3. Which of the following is the main livestock reared in Bihar?
(A) Cows
(B) Buffaloes
(C) Goats
(D) Sheep

4. Which of the following is the main forest product of Bihar?
(A) Timber
(B) Bamboo
(C) Teak
(D) Sal

5. Which of the following is the main mineral found in Bihar?
(A) Coal
(B) Iron Ore
(C) Mica
(D) Bauxite

6. Which of the following is the main industry in Bihar?
(A) Steel
(B) Cement
(C) Power
(D) Jute

7. Which of the following is the main river in Bihar?
(A) Ganga
(B) Yamuna
(C) Son
(D) Narmada

8. Which of the following is the main language spoken in Bihar?
(A) Hindi
(B) Urdu
(C) Maithili
(D) Bhojpuri

9. Which of the following is the capital of Bihar?
(A) Patna
(B) Ranchi
(C) Jamshedpur
(D) Gaya

10. Which of the following is the population of Bihar?
(A) 100 million
(B) 120 million
(C) 140 million
(D) 160 million