Bihar: Agriculture and animal husbandry

The Agriculture Department calls agriculture the backbone of Bihar's economy: about 77% of the workforce is in agriculture, and nearly 24.84% of state GDP (2011-12) came from agriculture, forestry and fishing. The state has attained self-sufficiency in food grains, but barring maize and pulses, farm productivity is much below the national average. The Fourth Agriculture Road Map (2023–2028) is now in force.

Key Economic Indicators and Land Use

According to land utilization statistics for 2020-21, the total land area of Bihar is 93.6 lakh hectares.

• Net Cropped Area: 50.45 lakh hectares.
• Gross Cropped Area: 72.46 lakh hectares.
• Cropping Intensity: 144 percent.
• Forest Area: 621.64 thousand hectares.
• Barren and Uncultivable Land: 431.72 thousand hectares.
• Non-agricultural Land: 1750.74 thousand hectares.

In the 2024-25 quick estimates, the primary sector’s Gross State Value Added (GSVA) grew by 4.1 percent at constant (2011-12) prices. Between 2020-21 and 2024-25, the primary sector’s share of GSVA declined from 21.9 percent to 18.3 percent (Economic Survey 2025-26).

Agriculture Road Maps

Under the Rainbow Revolution approach, the first Agriculture Road Map was prepared in 2008 to raise farmers' income. Four road maps so far have integrated twelve departments of agriculture and allied sectors.

• First Road Map (2008–2012): Introduced the Seed Extension Scheme, Seed Village Scheme, promotion of organic farming and farm mechanization.
• Second Road Map (2012–2017): Launched on October 3, 2012, by President Pranab Mukherjee. Focused on food security, storage facilities, and food processing industries.
• Third Road Map (2017–2022): Launched on November 9, 2017, by President Ram Nath Kovind. Allocated ₹1.54 lakh crore for agriculture, irrigation, and dairy. Emphasized organic farming along the Ganga and a 1500 MW agriculture power network.
• Fourth Road Map (2023–2028): Launched on October 18, 2023, by President Droupadi Murmu. Proposes an expenditure of ₹1.62 lakh crore over five years. Key focus areas include Precision Agriculture, sensor-based technology, and improved varieties of pulses, oilseeds, and millets.

Makhana Production and GI Tag

Bihar is the central hub for makhana (fox nut) production, contributing nearly three-fourths of India’s output and 80-85 percent of the global supply.

• 2024-25 Production: India produced 63,910 MT of makhana.
• 2025-26 Estimates: India’s total production is estimated at 80,590 MT (Second Advance Estimates). Bihar’s production is 60,000 MT with an average productivity of 2.00 MT per hectare.
• Exports: In 2025-26, India exported 7,264.89 MT of makhana products with a value of ₹19,296.08 lakh.
• GI Tag: "Mithila Makhana" has been granted a GI tag, recognizing its unique quality from the Mithila region.
• Key Districts: Cultivation is concentrated in the Kosi basin districts of Supaul, Saharsa, and Madhepura.
• Institutional Support: The National Makhana Board was formally launched in Bihar on 15 September 2025. A ₹476.03 crore Central Sector Scheme supports research and exports.

Livestock, Dairy, and Fisheries Targets

The Dairy, Fisheries and Animal Resources Department manages animal health, dairy development, and fisheries. Current production levels and 2028 targets are as follows:

• Milk Production: Presently 128.53 lakh MT per year; target is 159.9 lakh MT per year.
• Milk Processing Capacity: Presently 48.55 lakh litres per day; target is 51.7 lakh litres per day.
• Egg Production: Presently 34,400.5 lakh per annum; target is 62,025 lakh per annum.
• Meat Production: Presently 4.04 lakh MT per year; target is 4.94 lakh MT per year.
• Fish Production: Presently 9.17 lakh MT per year; target is 12.7 lakh MT per year.

Irrigation and Water Resources

The Minor Water Resources Department (formerly Minor Irrigation Department) began when Bihar notified Minor Irrigation as a separate department in December 1978; it took its present name in April 2007. It focuses on small irrigation schemes with a Command Area (CCA) up to 2000 hectares.

• Classification: Effective from 1 April 1979, all surface and groundwater projects with CCA up to 2000 hectares are classified as Minor Irrigation Schemes.
• Utility: These projects are suitable for exploiting small catchments and natural drains. They provide irrigation in a short duration (within three construction seasons) with small investment.
• Conjunctive Irrigation: Utilizing groundwater in the command area of major projects helps prevent water-logging and salinity.
• Autonomous Bodies: The department previously oversaw Bihar Hill Area Lift Irrigation Corporation (BHALCO) and Bihar Jal Vikas Nigam. After the bifurcation of Bihar in November 2000, BHALCO ceased to exist in Bihar and was renamed JHALCO in Jharkhand.

Challenges and Opportunities

The state faces specific challenges in its agricultural sector:

• Fragmented Holdings: More than 91 percent of farmers belong to the marginal farmer category.
• Infrastructure Gaps: Lack of storage, processing, and marketing infrastructure due to low investment.
• Cropping Pattern: Dominated by the paddy-wheat system.
• Climate Risks: Vulnerability to floods, droughts, irregular monsoons, and terminal heat.

Opportunities include crop diversification, value addition through processing, and leveraging GI-tagged products like Zardalu Mango, Shahi Litchi, Magahi Paan, Katrani Rice, and Mithila Makhana for national and international markets. The Fourth Road Map aims to form farmers’ groups for "small farmer-big farming" and utilize digital technologies for input marketing.