Action plan for doubling the farmer’s income in Bihar Department of Agriculture Govt. of Bihar Action plan for doubling the farmer’s income in Bihar Presented by :- Ganesh Ram Director BAMETI, Bihar, Patna

Action plan for doubling the farmer’s income in Bihar 1. Time period - up to 2022 - 23 2. Annual growth rate of 12% required 3. What is to be doubled: Income of farmers Not farm incomes only

Major Challenges and issues in Agriculture in Bihar 90% farmers are marginal hold 0.5 to 1.0 ha of land. 60% area is under irrigation Irrigation system is based on private diesel engine which is too costly. Rice-wheat cropping system is prevailed in Kharif season. Cropping intensity of state is 144.3 %. Massive effect of climate change. Pulse productivity is very low.

Major Challenges and issues in Agriculture in Bihar Productivity of major crops is also low in comparison to national level. Less use of rice fallow land. Delay sowing of wheat. High cost of hybrid variety seeds. Lack of short duration high yielding varieties. High cost of production. Low storage and processing facilities. Market fluctuation in cropping and off season. High use chemical fertiliser and pesticide Low yield in Tal and Diara area Lack of marketing facility Occurrence of flood, drought and hail storm.

4. Strategy for doubling the income of farmers in Bihar 4.1 By increasing productivity of crops Timely supply of good quality of sufficient seeds prior to season. Timely availability of good quality of inputs Applying short duration high yielding varieties. Increase SRR of hybrid seeds By promoting Farm Mechanization Application Integrated Nutrient Management Application Integrated Pest Management By increasing irrigation facilities Adoption of DSR/Zero Tillage/SRI

Major Challenges and issues in Agriculture in Bihar 4.2 By increasing cropping intensity According to land situation, irrigation and other facilities farm plan should be prepared for Kharif, Rabi and Garma for 03 years e.g. i. Paddy - wheat/pulses/Maize ii. Maize – Wheat/Pulses/Maize iii. Maize – Wheat/Pulses/Maize - Mung iv. Vegetable (cauliflower) - potato - onion – mung v. Maize/Vegetable – Potato-Potato-Onion-Mung vi. Paddy (short duration) - vegetable - onion - maize vii. Paddy - vegetable - maize Short duration hybrid/HYV seeds to be used. Use of rice fallow land Rice- Makhana cropping System

Major Challenges and issues in Agriculture in Bihar 4.3 Diversification of cropping system with high value crops Cash crops- Sugarcane, Betel leaf and Vegetables Spices - Turmeric, Ginger, Dhania, Garlic, Ajwain and Saunf Mushroom Cultivation Rearing of honey bee

Major Challenges and issues in Agriculture in Bihar 4.4 By Reducing cost of production Subsidy on farm inputs Provision of subsidy on HYV/ hybrid in light of market price. Subsidy on mechanization in light of market price. Use of green manuring e.g. Dhaincha, Moong, Cowpea, Sunhemp etc. Application of balance dose of fertilizer on the basis of soil testing. Provision of subsidy on diesel.

Major Challenges and issues in Agriculture in Bihar Promotion of custom hiring system. Use of bio fertilizers e.g. Rhizobium, PSB, Azotobactor, Azolla, Blue green Algee, Mycorrhiza Subsidy of transport Use of Gobar/Bio gas Promotion of zero tillage technology. Promotion of DSR Use of Organic fertilizers and Manures

Major Challenges and issues in Agriculture in Bihar 4.5 Promotion of integrated farming system Synergise blending of crops/horticulture, dairy, fishery, and poultry to provide regular income. 4.6 Protected cultivation of vegetables and flowers with Micro irrigation 4.7 Constitution of FPO to create market. 4.8 Effective procurement strategies to procure on MSP 4.9 Regular region wise weather forecasting. 4.10 Provision for practicing kitchen gardening for Arban households and poor people. 4.11 Facilities of more warehouses and cold chain.

Major Challenges and issues in Agriculture in Bihar 4.12 Agro forestry 4.13 Construction of water harvesting structures 4.14 Risk Management to cope with climate change. 4.15 Makhana fish culture 4.16 Insurance against crop

Major Challenges and issues in Agriculture in Bihar 4.17 Paddy cum fish culture 4.18 Post harvest management to reduce crop losses. 4.19 Required value addition and processing. 4.20 Market linkages and reforms