The leading foodgrain crop produced in Bihar is rice. In 2020-21, Bihar produced 10.8 million tonnes of rice, accounting for 11.2% of India’s total rice production. Rice is a staple food for the people of Bihar and is grown in all parts of the state. The main rice-growing areas are the Gangetic plains, the Purnea plateau, and the Santhal Parganas. The main varieties of rice grown in Bihar are Pusa Basmati, IR-8, and Jaya.
Wheat is the second most important foodgrain crop produced in Bihar. In 2020-21, Bihar produced 3.5 million tonnes of wheat, accounting for 3.6% of India’s total wheat production. Wheat is grown in the northern and eastern parts of the state. The main wheat-growing areas are the districts of Patna, Gaya, and Nalanda. The main varieties of wheat grown in Bihar are Sonalika, HD-2128, and Kalyansona.
Millet is a minor foodgrain crop produced in Bihar. In 2020-21, Bihar produced 0.8 million tonnes of millet, accounting for 0.8% of India’s total millet production. Millet is grown in the dry and semi-arid areas of the state. The main millet-growing areas are the districts of Araria, Purnia, and Katihar. The main varieties of millet grown in Bihar are jowar, bajra, and ragi.
Maize is a minor foodgrain crop produced in Bihar. In 2020-21, Bihar produced 0.3 million tonnes of maize, accounting for 0.3% of India’s total maize production. Maize is grown in the southern and western parts of the state. The main maize-growing areas are the districts of Bhagalpur, Munger, and Jamui. The main varieties of maize grown in Bihar are HYV-1, HYV-2, and HYV-3.