Bihar: Farmer and rural schemes

Bihar's main programmes for farmers are its Agriculture Road Maps, four of which have run since 2008, together with minor irrigation schemes of the Minor Water Resources Department. For rural households, the Rural Development Department runs programmes against poverty through employment, livelihoods and rural infrastructure.

Rural Development Department

• Implements programmes to alleviate rural poverty by creating infrastructure and sustainable employment for the rural poor.
• Builds and sustains institutions for the poor and works to enhance their livelihoods.
• Runs a programme for skill development and self-employment of eligible individuals and Self Help Groups.
• Aims at convergence of schemes under a multi-dimensional strategy to increase rural employment.
• Vision: sustainable and inclusive development of rural households through livelihood opportunities, a social safety net and infrastructure for growth.

Fourth Agriculture Road Map (2023–2028)

• Launched on 18 October 2023 by President Droupadi Murmu.
• Proposed expenditure: ₹1.62 lakh crore for agriculture and allied sectors over five years.
• Emphasis on sensor-based technology and Precision Agriculture.
• Promotes improved varieties of pulses, oilseeds and millets, and faster research using modern technologies.

Third Agriculture Road Map (2017–2022)

• Launched on 9 November 2017 by President Ram Nath Kovind.
• Allocated ₹1.54 lakh crore for agriculture and allied sectors, including food processing, irrigation, flood protection and dairy development.
• Special focus on organic farming through organic corridors along the Ganga.
• Development of a 1500 MW agriculture power network.

Second Agriculture Road Map (2012–2017)

• Inaugurated on 3 October 2012 by President Pranab Mukherjee.
• Aimed at food and nutritional security and higher farmers' income.
• Initiatives: improved power supply, more storage and warehouses, and promotion of food processing industries.
• Goal: a self-reliant and export-oriented agriculture in Bihar.

First Agriculture Road Map (2008–2012)

• Introduced the Seed Extension Scheme and Seed Village Scheme.
• Promoted organic farming and farm mechanization.
• Emphasised modern techniques and better seed quality, raising seed replacement rates.

Minor Irrigation: History

• Bihar notified Minor Irrigation as a separate department in December 1978.
• At first, a scheme costing up to ₹10,000 counted as minor irrigation.
• From 1 April 1979 (Planning Commission criteria), any surface or ground water project with a culturable command area (CCA) up to 2,000 hectares is a minor irrigation scheme.
• In July 1986 the state abolished the Bihar Jal Vikas Nigam and created a Tube well Wing, with World Bank help.
• After the bifurcation in November 2000, BHALCO ceased to exist in Bihar and was renamed JHALCO by Jharkhand.
• Since April 2007 it is the Minor Water Resources Department (Laghu Jal Sansadhan Bivag).

Why Minor Irrigation Suits Bihar

• Gives irrigation in a short time on very small investment.
• A project can be completed within three construction seasons.
• Uses the state's many small catchments and natural drains.
• Involves no rehabilitation problems or environmental degradation, and needs little land.
• Irrigates high patches inside major project commands that do not get water, so it complements major irrigation.
• Conjunctive irrigation (use of ground water in project commands) keeps the water table down, preventing water-logging and salinity.