1

Report of the Task Force

on

Agriculture.
 2

Contents

Chapter Subject Page No.

Chapter 1 Introduction 3-4

Chapter 2 Bihar Agriculture : At a glance 5-8

Chapter 3 Crop Production 9-15

Chapter 4 Animal Husbandry, Dairy and Fisheries 16-25

Chapter 5 Water Resources 26-33

Chapter 6 Energy 34-38

Chapter 7 Land Resource Management 39-41

Chapter 8 Plantation & Green coverage 42-46

Chapter 9 Approach Road 47-49

Chapter 10 Cooperative 50-58

Chapter 11 Storage, Marketing & Processing 59-66

Chapter 12 INSTITUTIONAL CREDIT 67-68

Chapter 13 Disaster Management 69-70

Physical Milestones 71

Summary of Financial Requirement 72

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Chapter-1

Introduction

1.1 In light of the letter of the Neeti Aayog, Government of India DO No. O-
11013/O/2015-NI dated- 17.03.2015, a Task Force on Agriculture has been
constituted in the Chairmanship of Agriculture Production Commissioner,
Bihar vide Planning and Development Department, Government of Bihar
notification No. 2283 dated- 14.05.2015. A copy of the notification is attached
as annexure 1.
1.2 The Task Force has been given mandate to formalise suggestions for preparing
strategies for development of all aspects of Agriculture. It was also given task
to identify strategies of reforms, innovation and technical extension. The Task
Force has been asked to identify the success stories in respect of programs and
activities.
1.3 Fertile Gangetic alluvial soil, abundant water resources, particularly ground
water resources, form the basis of agriculture in Bihar. The farmers in Bihar
grow a variety of crops. Apart from food-grains, the state produces oilseeds,
fibre crops, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables and other crops. Recently, high value
horticulture viz floriculture and aromatic plant cultivation has caught the
imagination of the farmers because of its increasing demand.
1.4 Bihar is considered destination for second Green Revolution in the country.
Several reports including the National Farmers Commission have emphasized
the need for accelerated development of agriculture in eastern India for
securing food security of the country. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the then
President of India has described Agriculture as Core Competence of Bihar. The
State Government is implementing a Road Map of Agriculture development.
The Agriculture Road Map aims at Food and Nutritional Security of state
population, increase in farmer's income, gainful employment to agriculturist
and check on migration, equitable agricultural growth with focus on gender and
human aspects and sustainable use of natural resources for sustainability of
production system.
 4

1.5 Agriculture Road Map was started in 2008. The first agricultural road map
concluded with a Krishi Karman Award to the state for ever highest rice
production at 81 lakh MT in 2011-12. This also led to commendable progress
in seed sector and agriculture extension. Now the second agricultural road
map(2012-2022) is being implemented in the state. It includes programmes of
not only the production related departments such as agriculture and animal,
dairy and fishery resources department, but also the detailed programmes of
Water Resources, Minor water resources, Energy, Land Reforms, Forestry and
Environmental protection, Food Processing Industry, Cooperative, Rural Road
and Flood and Drought related departments. The agriculture road map gives a
holistic approach to agriculture developments and it needs to be implemented
at the country level. The second agriculture road map of Bihar envisages an
investment of Rs. 1.5 lakh crore in 5 years. Such large amount of investment in
agriculture could only come through appropriate central scheme. However, the
central scheme should provide adequate flexibility to states for choosing
scheme components, its rate of assistance and mode of sanction and
implementation.A Cabinet Sub Committee has also been constituted to monitor
the preparation and implementation of the Agriculture Road Map.
1.6 The Task Force has thoroughly deliberated the existing status of Agricultural
development and has prepared a perspective plan for Agricultural Development
for the remaining two years of 12th five year plan and for the 13th five year
plan. An Interim report has been prepared which may subsequently be further
developed. The Interim report includes production related subjects such as
Crop, Horticulture, Milk, Meat, Fish, Egg and also the supportive subjects such
as irrigation, power, co-operatives, approach road, plantation and green
coverage. It envisages an investment of Rs. 2.72 lakh crore from 2015-16 to
2021-22.
1.6.1 Green Revolution technologies transformed agriculture in the 60s. However,
obvious limitations of this technology have become apparent now. The
traditional areas of green revolution such as Punjab, Haryana and Western UP
are experiencing productivity fatigue and its soil and water quality is
questioned for continuing with the gains. The eastern states particularly Bihar
has the large unharnessed potential. Bihar Agriculture Road Map envisages
Rainbow Revolution through use of sustainable technologies and the country
should also surrogate it.
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Chapter-2

Bihar Agriculture: At a glance

2.1 Geographical location

(A) Latitude 240 20' 10'' - 270 31' 15'' North
(B) Longitude 830 19' 50'' - 880 17' 40'' East
(C) Height from mean sea level 53 m
(D) Average annual precipitation 1176.4 mm
(E) Major rivers Ganga,Gandak,Kosi,
Bagmati,Mahananda,Sone

2.2 Land Utilization(Lakh Hectare)

Item Area*
Total geographical area 93.60
Forest 6.22
Land put to non agricultural uses 17.03
Barren & uncultivated land 4.31
Permanent pastures 0.16
Land under miscellaneous trees and groves 2.44
Culturable wasteland 0.45
Current fallow land 7.81
Other fallow land 1.21
Net sown area 53.95
Gross cropped Area 76.46
(* 2011-12,Source-Directorate of statistics)
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2.3 Agro Climatic Zones of Bihar

Item zone & I zone& II zone& III (A,B)

• Districts West champaran, Khagaria,Purnea, Rohtas,Bhojpur,Buxar,
East champaran, Katihar,Saharsa, Kaimur,Arwal, Patna
Siwan,Saran, Madhepura, Nalanda, Nawada
Sitamarhi,Sheohar, Araria, Sheikhpura,
Muzaffarpur,Vaishali, Kisanganj, Jahanabad,
Madhubani,Darbhanga, Aurangabad,Gaya,
Samastipur,Gopalganj, Supaul Munger,Bhagalpur,
Begusarai. Banka,Jamui,
Lakhisarai.
• Soil Texture
Sandy loam-Loam Sandy Loam- Sandy loam-Loam
Clay loam with clay in some
regions
pH 6.5-9.5 6.5-7.8 6.5-8.0
Organic matter
0.2-1.0 0.2-1.0 0.5-1.0
(%)
Available
Nitrogen 150-350 150-300 200-400
(Kg/Ha.)
Available
Phosphorus 5-50 10-35 10-100
(Kg/Ha.)
Available
100-300 150-250 150-350
pottash(Kg/Ha.)

2.4 Agriculture and allied sector contributes 18.9 percent of the GSDP. The rate of
growth of Agriculture and allied sector has been 5.4 percent during 2005-10 and
3.7 percent during 2010-14.
2.5 Farm holdings are small and scattered. There are about 1.61 crore farm holdings of
which 91 percent is marginal.
2.6 The water area of Bihar constitutes about 3.9 percent of the total geographical area.
In 2004-05, the production of fish in Bihar was 2.67 lakh tonnes. The production
grew continuously thereafter and reached the peak level of 4.32 lakh tonnes in
2013-14.
2.7 Bihar is a major fruit and vegetable growing state.Total vegetable production in
Bihar is about 156.29 lakh tonnes. Potato,Onion,Tomato,Brinjal,Okra and
 7

Cauliflower is the major vegetable crop of the state. Bihar is known all over India
for its litchi and mango. The four most important fruit crops in Bihar are mango,
guava, litchi and banana. In 2013-14,their production levels were mango (12.74
lakh tonnes), guava (2.39 lakh tonnes),litchi (2.34 lakh tonnes) and banana (14.36
lakh tonnes). Flower production in Bihar has increased recently, providing
immense opportunity of employment and income in rural areas of Bihar. In 2013-
14, about 99 tonnes of rose, 6799 tonnes of marigold, 317 tonnes of jasmine (Bela)
and 536 tonnes of the tuberose were produced in Bihar.
2.8 A comparative account of crop productivity (Kg/Ha) is as below,

Crop/Year 2005-06 2012-13

Country Bihar Country Bihar Best state
Rice 2102 1075 2102 2523 3989(Punjab)
Wheat 2619 1379 2619 2797 4577(Punjab)
4959 (Andhra
Maize 1938 2098 1938 3975
Pradesh)
Pulses 598 748 598 1052 1073(Jharkhand)
Foodgrains 2125 1239 1715 2644 4258(Punjab)

2.9 Livestock Production Parameters: The following table shows the Livestock
Production (2013-14) in comparison to national scenario:

Sl. Product India Bihar Highest Producer State

1 Milk (000) Ton 137685.88 7197 (5%) 24193.90 (U.P.)
2 Egg (No. in Lakh) 734378.95 9308(1%) 227874.76 (A.P.)
3 Chevon (000) Ton 959.33 80.69(8%) 245.10 (W.B.)
4 Mutton (000) Ton 418.74 1.47(NS) 205.68 (A.P.)
5 Poultry Meat (000) 2579.26 57.62(2%) 513.41 (A.P.)
6 Pork (000) Ton 485.73 71.99(15%) 173.12 (U.P.)
7 Buffalo Meat (000) Ton 1124.01 60.53(5%) 563.16 (U.P.)
8 Total Meat (000) Ton 6235.48 292.28(4.6%) 1221.25 (U.P.)
9 Wool (000) Kg 47908.88 270.56(5%) 15026.77 (Rajasthan)
 8

2.10 Major Challenges: State agriculture faces multifaceted challenges that emanate both
from within the system and also from outside. Low productivity across all the
enterprises, crop, horticulture, milk, meat, egg and fishes has traditionally described the
state agriculture. The low productivity has consequential effects on low income and
high poverty of its population. The major factors contributing to low productivity is
described as below,
2.10.1 Technological factors: There are two agricultural universities, five agricultural
colleges,one horticulture college,one agriculture engineering college,one dairy
technology college and one veterinary college in the state. All the 38 distrcts have a
functional Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK).ICAR has also a presence with eastern states
regional headquarter at Patna. Besides, National Research Centre for Litchi and
Makhana are established in state. However,State productivity remains low because of
the slow adoption of modern technologies by the farmers. Dominance of cereals in
cropping pattern reflect on the subsistence nature of state agriculture. Institutional
extension system faces the challenge to take latest technologies to farmers field.
2.10.2 Land Issues: More than 91 percent of all holdings fall in the category of marginal
holdings with farm size less than 1 hectare. Each such holding is again fragmented in
small parcels. Land records are obsolete, making any institutional investment virtually
impossible. Small farm agriculture create serious problems for economy of scale.
2.10.3 Rainfed agriculture: State agriculture still heavily depends on monsoon. In the last 5
years, there has been drought or drought like situation in four consecutive years.
Kharif crops are almost a gamble leaving little prospect for investments in costly
inputs. Canal Irrigation is scanty. Irrigation is majorly(70 percent) dependent on diesel
based tube wells. High cost of diesel based irrigation make it a very difficult input for
even rabi crops.
2.10.4 Lack of Infrastructure: Road connectivity, storage godown and power availability to
agriculture sector is inadequate to usher accelerated agriculture development in the
state.
2.10.5 Lack of institutional credit: slow pace of implementation of kisan credit card leave
large number of farmers dependant on high cost non institutional lending sources
seriously impeding use of modern agri inputs and adoption of modern technology.
2.10.6 Inadequate Marketing and Processing: Marketing and processing infrastructure are
not adequate affecting farmer’s income.
2.10.7 Flood & Drought-State agriculture is dependent on Monsoon.A heavy rainfall lead to
flood and a deficient rainfall could lead to drought.The paradox of flood and drought
occur simultaneously almost every year making agriculture highly vulnerable and
unstable.
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Chapter-3
Crop Production

3.1 Vision & Policy perspective:

3.1.1 Qualitative increase in crop productivity may be emphasized as there is limited

scope for increase in area. Current fallow and other fallow land may be brought
under cultivation with appropriate interventions. Zaid season may be emphasized
similar to Kharif and Rabi seasons. Crop and varietal diversification may be
introduced. Quality of production and value addition has to be emphasized. The
outreach of most modern crop production technology may be facilitated upto the
last farmers. Region and Agro Climatic specific crop,variety and technology may be
identified and promoted. While increasing crop production and productivity, soil,
water, animal and human health may be conserved and protected.

3.1.2 Seed is critical for the development of agriculture. The public sector seed companies
have become totally inadequate to cater to the needs of the farmer. The private seed
business particularly through the multinational seed companies are making farmers
entirely dependent on their avarice interest. There is a need to substantially increase
investment in public sector seed production, processing and Marketing. Local seed
companies may also be promoted to reduce the dependence on multinational seed
companies. In addition to the crop seed planting material for horticultural crops are
important. Similarly animal breeds and fish fingerlings are important for their
productivity and quality. Whereas scientific innovations in seed industry would be
helpful in achieving production targets but it would also be important to preserve
and promote traditional varieties of crops and indigenous breeds of animals.

3.1.3 Sugarcane is the major cash crop in Bihar. In India Sugarcane is a major commercial
crop for Sugar industries. In Bihar, it is grown in an area of 2.65 lakhs hectare with
an average productivity of 69.72 ton per hectare and sugar recovery of 9.22 %
against the national average of 68.8 t/ha and 10.17% respectively. Sugarcane
Research Institute, Pusa (Bihar) is the only research institute committed to sugarcane
research.It was established in 1936. A proposal to set up a new sugarcane reaserch
institute has been sent to ICAR which needs immediate attention. Climate change,
declining soil health, emerging new disease and pest, labour scarcity and abiotic
stresses are severely affecting cane productivity and sugar recovery. Sugarcane seed
 10

replacement rate is only about 10 % against the desired level of 33 %. Sugar sector
needs a revival package.

3.1.4 Generation of appropriate agricultural technology and its dissemination to the

farmers are becoming more and more challenging in the context of the climate
change. Both the numbers and the quality of the technically qualified person in
agriculture are grossly inadequate. There is a need to step up investment in
agricultural research, education, extension. The whole ICAR system, agricultural
universities and the state department of agriculture needs to be revisited for their
current strength and weaknesses and every such institution should be strengthened to
meet the future demand. New initiatives initiated by Bihar Agricultural University
such as Kisan choupal, Kisan Gyan Rath and direct video conferencing with farmers
have proved immensely useful. Such experiences may be suitably replicated at the
country level.

3.1.5 Agricultural planning is much dependent on the statistical input generated through
age old system. It needs a relook with appropriate input from remote sensing
technologies. Local and decentralised planning can only capture the unique situation
and harness the local potential. Reliable information for village agriculture as unit
should be promoted and public planning should be based on the village level data.

3.1.6 Agriculture marketing will be one area which need focussed attention. The basic
infrastructure such as the dry and cold storage are grossly inadequate in states like
Bihar. The state took a bold step to abolish APMC Act in 2006. However there are
no alternative models in the country. Structural innovations to foster agriculture
marketing should be developed.

3.1.7 Procurement of food grains must be assured and to make it effective FCI and CWC
must create adequate storage infrastructure and FCI should make arrangements to
procure food grains including Maize and pulses from the farmers.

3.1.8 Small farm agriculture is a compulsive situation and to make it viable is the highest
challenge. Integrated farming may be a solution and it needs to be encouraged.
Animal husbandry and fisheries are the key sectors besides crops and horticulture.
There is a need to focus research on small animals such as rabbit, rat and reptiles to
increase the food basket. The importance of small animals has duly been recognized
by FAO and a national level perspective will further help the cause of food and
nutritional security of the small and marginal farmers.Urban and peri urban
 11

agriculture offer new avenues and a perspective plan should be prepared to

encourage urban agriculture.

3.1.9 High input cost particularly chemical fertilizers and pesticides would continue to
pose challenge for the viability of small farm agriculture. Nutrient based subsidy
regime for chemical fertilizers has led to skewed use of NPK fertilizers. Stable price
of Urea and ever increasing price of P and K fertilizers are leading to excessive use
of urea and frugal use of P & K. There is an urgency to restore the optimum balance.
Organic farming technologies may be promoted to utilize the locally available
resources. Bihar has a robust vermi compost and bio fertilizer programme which
needs to be replicated. Similarly green manure programme has been implemented
with much success. Agriculture Road Map aims at reaching vermi compost, bio
fertilizer and green manure in every plot in 5 years. Soil test based fertilizer
application and soil health card to all eligible farmers be granted in the stipulated
time.

3.1.10 Farm mechanization saves cost and improves quality. Bihar has unique experience in
implementing a massive farm mechanization programme. Mechanization software
has been developed for transparency and accountability. All transactions are on line
and farmers are benefitting from it.

3.1.11 Use of modern Agricultural technology is important for increasing production and
productivity. SRI, Zero tillage, high density plantation and other appropriate
technologies are promoted under the agricultural road map. Such technologies
should constantly be developed and promoted in the farmers field.

3.1.12 Eastern states particularly Bihar has large untapped irrigation potential. There should
be national policy to help states to harness the irrigation potential and any
investment on this count should be supported through a national programme.

3.1.13 Flood and drought have become recurrent feature in Bihar. Paradoxically, north
Bihar is ravaged by flood and south Bihar by drought in same year. Similarly wild
animals such as blue bull are proving a threat to agriculture. In such an unstable
situation farmers are hardly able to make an investment and therefore agriculture
largely remains traditional and subsistence. There is an urgent need to have a
comprehensive policy to mitigate risk of contingent situations in agriculture.

3.1.14 The challenges of climate change are becoming more and more apparent. This would
pose greater challenges for agriculture. To mitigate the adverse impact we need to
 12

explore more and more crops and animals in the food basket. There is a dangerous
trend of shrinking food basket limited to few crops and varieties. Bio diversity
within the species and among the species must be restored. Diversification among
enterprises and diversification of varieties will have an important role to play in the
coming times. Urban and peri urban agriculture would continue to draw attention
and subtle planning would be required to foster it.

3.1.15 Quality control of the agri inputs would continue to be important. Therefore a strong
network of analytical lab of soil, seed fertilizers pesticide, residue analysis would be
very important.

3.2 Crop production Strategy:

3.2.1 Inputs: Production, availability at farmers’ accessible places, timeliness, cost

and quality.
3.2.2 Minimizing cost and maximising return: Promotion of technologies and
management practices which tend to decrease cost of cultivation and
maximize return.
3.2.3 Sustainable production system: Utilization of land, water and labour
resources for best possible crop mix to suit to the conditions arising out of the
global climate change. Crop and Enterprise diversification will be key to the
sustainable production system. Recycling of organic wastes for use as organic
fertilizers.
3.2.4 Extension: Transformation of agriculture information to knowledge and
science into technology for agriculture scientists, students, farmers and
extension workers. Reorganisation of extension to make it efficient,
accountable and transparent.
3.2.5 Special attention to difficult physiographic situations viz. Tal, Diara, Saline,
Acidic soils.
3.2.6 Respect & Reward: Restoring respect to the agriculture as profession for
farmers, students, scientists and extension workers.
3.3 Success Stories:

3.3.1 Mushroom Cultivation for Nutritional & Livelihood Security

Realizing the vast potential of mushroom for nutritional and economic

security for the state, the efforts of the Govt. of Bihar and the Agricultural
Universities have resulted into cultivation of mushroom by more than 20000
families resulting in production of more than 2000 tonnes per annum. Five Units
of button mushroom are functional round the year with a capacity 0.5 to 2 tonnes
 13

per day in Purnia, Samastipur, Gaya, Patna and Vaishali districts. Mushroom
cultivation technology is now available in all the 38 districts of Bihar. As a
result, landless and weaker section (Maha Dalits) are earning Rs. 5,000/- to Rs.
10,000/- per month in a small hut of 1200 sq ft. and the small farmers are earning
Rs. 15,000/- to 20,000/- per month by mushroom cultivation. The spent compost
is also an excellent source of organic manure, which is being used by farmers
resulting in higher production of different crops. Thus, mushroom cultivation has
ensured income generation for un-employed rural youth, landless labourers,
women and weaker section of the society besides providing additional income to
the farmers engaged in land based crop production activities.
The Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa has been pioneer in developing
the technology for through out the year cultivation of mushrooms such as
Pleurotus spp. (Oyster mushroom), Agaricus spp. (Button mushroom) and
Calocybe indica (Milky white mushroom). A new variety of mushroom Rajendra
Mushroom Dudhia-1 for summer season has been released recently by the
University.
The University has trained 14000 farmers including 6000 women of
different districts of Bihar, 2000 undergraduate students from different
Universities of Bihar and other states in mushroom production technology and
about 350 farmers for spawn production technology. It has facilitated
establishment of 25 spawn production laboratories in the state by private
entrepreneurs to meet the demand of spawn.
Thus, mushroom cultivation is an activity which may be taken up by
farmers and rural youth to augment their income with little investment and efforts
besides having availability of nutritional food for their families.
3.3.2 Transfer of Technology to farmers: The extension activities can be
strengthened by adopting some of the innovative examples as mentioned in brief
below which can be taken up as a policy initiative:
• Kisan Choupal is organized regularly on every Saturday by KVKs and
colleges under the jurisdiction of Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour. In
this programme, over 5 lakh farmers were benefitted during the last two
years. It is another innovative experiment which can be conducted in the
identified village helping farmers to solve their problems related to
 14

cropping practices and agriculture along with the dissemination of

scientific know-how from the university on their doorsteps in the villages
by the agricultural universities.
• Community Radio Station It is currently running successfully in KVK
Patna and has developed good rapport among farmers.
• Kisan Gyan Rath can be an important medium offering mobile
multidimensional knowledge resource center to be availed by the farmers
at their field and doorsteps. It can be equipped with inbuilt soil laboratory,
demonstration unit, and video capabilities of different agricultural practices
accompanied by the team of scientist in each KVK of the country.It is also
running successfully in villages through KVKs under the jurisdiction of the
university.
• Video Conferencing with the KVKs and the headquarters of the university
is serving as an important tool to benefit the farmers with saving of
resources. Each day, the farmers situated in different KVKs are trained
through experts located at university headquarters. It can provide emerging
opportunities for two-way interaction among the scientists, extension
workers and farming community of the state helping in saving necessary
resources and gaining expertise from the experts. It also helps to get the
queries resolved regarding insect-pest infestation through video enabled
feature of video conferencing.
• Video Production Programme through the production of video content
on important cropping practices and farmers’ participatory videos on a
range of cereal, fruit, flowers and plantation crops can be helpful to
generate added interest and motivation. The video content could also be
displayed on YouTube links and other video sharing platforms. The
YouTube channel of the university www.youtube.com/bausabour is very
popular featuring videos on agricultural practices.
These innovative successful experiments if taken on a large scale have the
capability to bring major reforms in the extension scenario of the country. The
use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) can be a game
changer in this direction.
 15

3.4 Financial outlay for major programme:

Rs. In crore

2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 2011-22 Total

183 191 214 231 243 255 272 1590
Seed Plan
352 377 403 428 453 478 504 2995
Horticulture
Soil Fertilility 564 645 725 805 886 966 1047 5638
Management
38 40 39 40 41 43 53 294
Quality control
601 652 753 854 955 1056 1157 6028
Mechanization
410 525 590 655 720 785 850 4535
Extension
Soil & water 80 105 130 155 180 205 230 1085
conservation
Application of remote 1 2 3 3 3 3 3 18
sensing in agriculture
Agriculture Research & 574 685 532 512 492 472 482 3749
Education
2803 3222 3388 3683 3973 4263 4598 25931
Total
3.5 Production Milestones: (Unit production in Lakh MT)

Year/Item 2017 2022

Rice 93.63 126

Wheat 65.75 72

Maize & Coarse Cereals 63.43 90.65

Pulses 29.2 36

Food grains 252.01 324.65

Oilseeds 3.14 4.5

Fruits 60.37 80

Vegetables 186.11 225

 16

Chapter-4

Animal Husbandry, Dairy and Fisheries

4.1 Animal Husbandry is one of the key sectors which is very important from the
point of view of income and employment in the rural areas. Animal Husbandry
sector plays a very important role in the economy of the state. One third of the rural
economy is dependent on this sector. Animal Husbandry gives an opportunity for
poverty eradication, development of rural economy & alleviation of
unemployment. Moreover availability of protein for human need, sufficient and
incessant economic gain for rural people and employment for unemployed youths
depend upon the multifaceted programmes of Animal Husbandry. There is a
yawning gap between scientific recommendation and availability of major Livestock
Products in the state:

Sl. Product ICMR recommendation Availability in Bihar

1 Milk 220 gm /capita/day 185 gm /capita/day

2 Egg 180 /capita/annum 11 /capita/ annum

3 Meat 10.95 Kg /capita/ annum 2.11 Kg /capita/ annum

The vision for animal husbandry sector is to bring reforms in policies to create an
enabling environment for sustainable Animal Husbandry and Institutional strengthening
through organisational restructuring and capacity development of the personnel by
enhancing their technical, extension, managerial, social mobilisation and leadership
skills and bringing sharp attitudinal changes. with this vision a qualitative increase in
production of animal products is targeted.The Present milk production of the state is
7774.933 thousand MT per year. It has been targeted to take this production level up to
10035 Thousand MT per year by 2017 and to 14867 Thousand MT per year by 2022.
The milk processing capacity is presently 2060 thousand litres per day which has been
targeted to 8260 (thousand Litres) per day by the year 2017 & 13160 Thousand Litres
by the year 2022. Presently the egg production in the state is 9835.485 Lakhs per annum
which has been targeted to reach 216000 Lakhs per annum by the year 2017 & 234000
Lakhs per annum by the year 2022.The present meat production of the state is 218
 17

thousand ton per annum which has been targeted to increase to 1314 thousand tonnes by
the year 2017 & 1423.5 thousand tonnes per annum by the year 2022. The present fish
production of 2.88 lakh MT is targeted to increase to 8.86 lakh MT in 2017 and 10.25
lakh MT in 2022.
4.2 Strategy for animal husbandry:
4.2.1 Bihar Livestock Breeding Policy, 2011 has been formulated with a view to
enhance milk production as well as to conserve the indigenous germplasm.
Special attention is being given on Artificial Insemination, Vaccination and
Livestock Nutrition as well as poultry farming and goat husbandry. There has
been a great emphasis of the State on assuring last mile reach into the villages
through Mobile Ambulatory Services and construction of newer hospitals and
dispensaries.
4.2.2 Veterinary services: Preventive, diagnostic, therapeutic animal health
services and disease surveillance
• The preventive veterinary services include production/ procurement of
vaccine. Preventive vaccination of animals against major diseases as well as
zoonotic diseases (communicable to man).
• Diagnosis of the animal disease is done through various diagnostic labs in the
state.
• Animal disease surveillance programme is implemented for forecasting and
thereby preventing and eradicating the diseases.
• Therapeutic veterinary service provides primary and professional cure/aid to
ailing animals through the network of 2553 veterinary institutions in the state.
These institutions provide need based veterinary services at the institutions
and at formers doorstep both as routine and in emergencies. The state has been
vaccinating its livestock population from time to time as a preventive measure
against diseases like Haemorrhagic Septicaemia, Black Quarter and Foot and
mouth disease.

4.2.3 Animal breeding Services for breed improvement

• Animal breeding service aims at breed improvement for augmenting
productivity and is done by conservation and development of native draft
breeds and crossbreeding/upgrading of milch animals (cattle and buffaloes).
• Organized animal breeding service is primarily (now) providing artificial
insemination service. This involves production/procurement of pedigreed
bulls (of higher genetic potential)
 18

• Production, processing, storage, distribution of frozen semen and actual AI

work by field workers.
• Animal breeding service is provided by institutions through BLDA (Bihar
Livestocks Development Agency), Bihar State Milk Cooperative Federation
Limited (COMPFED) & NGO's.
• Encouragement of breeding activity by giving training to the youths.
• The State has well defined livestock breeding policy and is being
implemented for breed improvement in cattle and buffaloes.

4.2.4 Extension Education and Training

The state provides extension services for augmenting livestock production
besides training farmers, officers and supporting staff of the department.
Regulatory functions
State is implementing prevention of cruelty to animals, animal disease
prevention, prevention of cow slaughter & conservation of cattle and buffaloes
through Bihar preservation and improvement of animal's act 1955. The State has
also been strictly implementing the Prevention of Animal Cruelty Act, 1960.
4.2.5 Feed and Fodder Resources Development
Fodder is the main and important component of livestock production. Feed and
fodder resource development is done mainly through providing inputs and
extension services. The state has established 10 fodder block making units as
Fodder Bank to help the farmers by providing fodder blocks to their animals
during crisis period e.g. drought and flood. Moreover, Fodder seed minikits
distribution programme at the tune of 90000 minikits in 2009 - 10 (kharif and
Rabi) and 170000 fodder seed minikit ( Kharif and Rabi) in 2010 -11 for fodder
production was implemented to nurture the need of animals of the state.
4.2.6 Livestock Census & statistical services
The department conducts household wise survey of livestock (livestock census)
once in five years as per guidelines of the central government. The integrated
sample survey is done regularly for 3 seasons to estimate the annual production
of milk, meat, eggs and wool in the state as per the guidelines issued by the
central government.

4.2.7 Poultry Development

Poultry development aims at providing extension training services and providing
financial support for augmenting egg and meat production. The state is
 19

implementing programmes aimed at development of backyard poultry (low input

systems) Low input improved birds vizVanraja, Cari, Nirvik and Grampriya are
supplied on subsidized cost besides carrying out vaccination programmes for
control of Raniket disease (fowl plague) in desi birds.

4.2.8 Animal Welfare Activities

• Animal welfare activities viz caring for unproductive old animals are supported
through department programme like assistance to Goshalas in the state.
• subsidy on establishment of commercial layer farms in private sector
• requirement of funds per layer poultry farm
• subsidy on establishment of goat breeding farms in private sector

4.3 Technical intervention

• Transforming traditional livestock farming to modern husbandry techniques by
mainstreaming best practices based on sound scientific principles and visible
farmers participated result demonstrations
• Diversification of livestock farming with due consideration to farmers’ capacity,
needs and local conditions
• Bringing non-productive livestock resources into the fold of priority
development initiative.

4.4 Reliable database, M & E system

• Establishment of robust and reliable database encompassing resources, outputs and
field practices to support quality of planning and implementation.
• Introduction of monitoring, evaluation and technical backstopping system to ensure
quality implementation of state and centrally sponsored schemes and programmes.

4.5 Empowerment of livestock farming communities

• Empowerment through on-site training and exposure visits to develop their

technical, managerial and participatory skills.
• Conducting farmers’ led result demonstrations at Panchayat level on modern animal
husbandry practices.
• Grooming result demonstration farmers as extension volunteers through training,
technical and extension support and involving them in the development programme
and building of animal husbandry database.
• Creating a participatory learning environment and putting farmers on innovative
mode.
 20

• Creating a participatory learning environment and putting farmers on innovative

mode.
4.6 Creating opportunities for poultry entrepreneurs
• Establishing network of professionally managed hygienic and modern retail outlets
at district headquarters and state capital by involving poultry professionals and
developing their entrepreneurship skills.
• Ensuring year round availability of quality day-old-chicks at local level by
establishing hatcheries in potential areas and promotion of layer poultry farms in the
vicinity.

4.7 Programmes
• Strengthening financial institutions for timely and adequate credit facilities
• Promoting insurance coverage for livestock and livestock farmers.
• Strengthening institutions for artificial insemination, quality semen production,
cattle and poultry feed mill and feed testing laps.
• Training of livestock farmers.
• Establishing cooperative structure for cattle, goatery and poultry products.
• Establishing Veterinary University for diverse development of all sectors of animal
husbandry.
• Establishment and strengthening of extension system upto village level.
• Encouraging public private partnership
• Institutional strengthening through organizational restructure and capacity building
of personnel/staff by enhancing technical , extension , managerial , social
mobilization and leadership skills.
• Socio-economic uplift of poor livestock and poultry farmers.
• Improving database systems on resources, output, field practices and
income/livelihood benefits.
• Improving, monitoring and evaluation for tracking implementation of schemes.
• Programmes for women empowerment.
• Programmes on farming of low input verities of poultry.
• Use of Information Technology through ‘mKisan Postal’ and other extension sites.
• Training and promotion of Small Ruminants Resource Persons.

4.8 Dairy vision :Bihar is agriculturally rich and conditions are conducive for the
milch animal rearing and dairy development. Agriculture road map for dairy
development give thrust on expansion of cooperative society network so as to
 21

make available an avenue for surplus milk disposal in maximum number of

villages, human capital development so that farmers can understand the improved
animal upkeep practices, breed improvement, infrastructure development for
processing and preservation of milk and market development so that all the milk
produced is sold at remunerative rate to the urban consumers.

4.9 Bihar’s livestock wealth is around 6.60 percent of total livestock population in the
country. In 2012-13, total milk production of the State was estimated to be 6845
thousand tons, which amounted to 5.17% of the national milk production. Per
capita availability of milk in Bihar during 2011-12 was 175 gms, as compared to
147 gms in 2004-05. During this period the all India average increased from233
gms to 290 gms. The Indian Council of Medical Research has, however,
recommended the minimum requirement of 220 gms of milk per person per day
indicating a shortage of 45 gms.During 2012-13, in total milk production of
187.53 lakh kgs per day, the co-operaive sector handled about 13.61% of the total
marketable surplus by procuring 12.46 lakh kgs of milk per day. During 2014-15,
till feb, 2015 the average collection was 16.55 lakh kgs per day registering a
CAGR of 12% since 1987.

4.10 As per growth rate of population in the State the requirement of milk by 2021-22
at the rate pf 220 gms per person day as per recommendations of Indian Council
of Medical Research, the total requirement of milk will be 292.53 lakh kgs per
day. Keeping in view the above mentioned milk production requirement, the
cooperative sector in the State will have to gear up its activities in all the spheres
of dairy development so as to match with the National obligations. Bihar is
located very strategically with having enormous market potential both nationally
and internationally. On one side we have Nepal and on the other side we have
Bangladesh. Both the countries are milk deficit. Within the country, the complete
North-East is vast market which at present is being served by the milk surplus
States in the North and West. Again Sikkim, West Bengal, a part of the Eastern
U.P. and Orissa are other milk deficit States. We have started capturing markets
in the eastern U.P. and West Bengal towns which are contiguous to our borders.
The future plan has also to keep this in mind.

4.11 Dairy development Strategy and programmes

4.11.1 Expansion of Dairy Co-operative NetworkThe existing co-operative network

is covering about 45.5% of the inhabited villages of Bihar i.e. 55.5% of the State
is still uncovered. By 2021-22 this number will grow to 30500 covering 80% of
 22

the villages in all districts. The thrust will be on organisation of all women dairy
co-operative societies. The number of new DCS will be 12500 and of member in
these DCS will be 19.15 lakh at the end of 2021-22.
4.11.2 Increasing the productivity of Milch Animals The productivity of milch
animals is proposed to be increased through dairy farming. In order to mitigate
the shortage of good crossbreds as a short term measure to increase the milk
production induction of heifers / milch animals of Shahiwal, Red Sindhi, Gir,
Murrah breeds is proposed to be done under Mini dairy and Small dairy units
which will be linked with commercial basks backed by subsidy component from
the State Plan schemes. It is proposed to establish 22500 units of Small dairy,
Mini dairy, Midi dairy and commercial dairy by 2021-22.
4.11.3 Skill Development Capacity building of farmers in latest techniques of animal
husbandry and animal health, nutrition etc. helps them manage these animals
better and get better output. It has been proposed to enhance the capacity of
training centres. These centres will provide training on society organisation,
artificial insemination and to the management committee members. It has also
been proposed to arrange study tour of farmers to other States like Punjab and
Gujarat to acquaint them with improved practices so as to replicate them.
Besides this, training on specialised programmes will be arranged at other
specialised training centres DNS, Patna, COMFED and out of state the centres
are NDRI, Karnal and NDDB, Anand. A total of 70500 farmers will participate
under various training programmes.

4.12 Fisheries Vision: Bihar is bestowed with vast and varied inland aquatic
resources. The paradox of fisheries development in Bihar is that while it has
large, untapped and underutilized water resources for aquaculture. Despite being
the fourth highest inland producing state in the country, it has to depend on
Andhra Pradesh for the supply of about 1.5 lakh tonnes of fish. The annual
domestic demand of fish within the state is nearly 5.82 lakh tonnes, against the
present annual production of around 4.32 lakh tones only. The annual per capita
fish availability of the state is 7.56 kg per head while the national average is 9 kg
per head. The average fish production from the available water resources of the
state is 2600 kg / ha. per year against the national average of 2900 kg/ ha./year.
The underutilization of aquaculture resources, unscientific management of water
bodies and lack of entrepreneurship are some of the most obvious reasons for the
substantial gap between demand and supply. The major challenge therefore, is to
develop aquatic resources for maximum sustainable fish yield to bridge the gap of
 23

demand and supply and to enhance the nutritive and livelihood security of fish
farmers. Bihar is a land-locked state with an agrarian economy. It is endowed
with vast and varied fisheries and aquaculture resources viz rivers, canal,
reservoirs, ox-bow-lakes, flood plains (chaurs) and ponds. Fisheries is an age-old
traditional occupation deeply associated with the economical and rural socio-
cultural system of the state. Fish surplus state where fisheries contribute in rural
livelihood, food security and integrated economy development. Development and
management of fisheries and aquaculture resources for three fold increase in fish
production. Creating additional livelihoods to fishers and farming households,
ensuring nutritional security and economic growth of the state with due
considerations to environmental well-beings and gender concerns.

4.13 Strategy

• Transforming traditional aquaculture to modern aquaculture by mainstreaming

best practices based on sound scientific principles and visible farmers participated
result demonstrations

• Diversification of aquaculture with due consideration to farmers’ capacity, needs

and local conditions

• Initiation of ornamental fish culture and recreational fisheries.

• Development of ox-bow lake fisheries through enhancement and better

management practices.

• Bringing unutilised fisheries resources, such as chaurs (flood- plain fisheries)

into the fold of priority development initiative.

• Establishment of robust and reliable database encompassing resources, outputs

and field practices to support quality of planning and implementation.

• Introduction of monitoring, evaluation and technical backstopping system to

ensure transparent implementation of state and centrally sponsored schemes/
programmes.
 24

• Empowerment through on-site training and exposure visits to develop their

technical, managerial and participatory skills.

• Conducting farmers’ led result demonstrations at Panchayat level on aquaculture

practices / ox-bow lake fisheries / chaur fisheries.

• Grooming result demonstration farmers / fishers as extension volunteers through

training, technical and extension support and involving them in the development
programme and building of fisheries database.

• Creating a participatory learning environment and motivating farmers to work on

innovative mode.

• Establishing network of professionally managed hygienic and modern retail

outlets at district headquarters and state capital by involving fisheries
professionals and developing their entrepreneurship skills.

• Ensuring round the year availability of quality seed at local level by establishing
hatcheries in potential areas and promotion of in-situ seed rearing by farmers in
their vicinity. Encouraging fisheries professional graduates to participate in this
developmental programs.

4.28 Schemes

• Construction of fish seed hatchery.

• Construction of Pens .

• Construction of new ponds.

• Establishment of Fish Feed Mills.

• Fish feed distribution scheme.
• Establishment of Market Outlet (Wholesale and Retail fish sale markets)
• Cold storage -cum ice plant at District level.
 25

• Establishment cold chain ( Procurement of live fish carriers, refrigerated vans

and refrigerated - van-cum-cash counter)

• Strengthening of database or system

• Mobile extension van equipped with audio visual aid at Divisional level .

• Publication of training / extension manuals, bulletins and audio visual

materials .

• Assured solar water pump with borewell.

• Establishment of Disease diagnostic lab.

4.29 Financial outlay: Rs in crore

Year Animal husbandry Dairy Fishery Total

2015-16 162 598 52.48 812.48

2016-17 178 658 52.48 888.48

2017-18 196 724 53.05 973.05

2018-19 216 796 52.87 1064.87

2019-20 237 876 52.12 1165.12

2020-21 261 963 56.80 1280.8

2021-22 287 1059 56.81 1402.81

Total 1537 5674 376.61 7587.61

 26

Chapter-5

Water resources

1. Introduction: The river Ganga divides the State into two parts. The land on the
Northern Bank of the river, North Bihar lies at the foothills of Himalaya and has
border with Nepal. The rivers namely Kosi, Gandak, Bagmati & Kamala originate in
Nepal and flow through North Bihar before draining into river Ganga which acts as
a master drain for these tributaries. During monsoons when the drainage capacity of
Ganga is reduced due to its being in spate, North Bihar faces severe natural disaster
in the form of floods, water logging & erosion. As a result the state's economy is
thrown out of gear.

5.1 Vision:
5.1.1 Vision: In order to achieve the targets set for crop production and productivity in
Agriculture Road Map, harnessing of irrigation potential to hilt is important.
Present irrigation intensity has to be increased from 83% to 158% by year 2017
and 209% by year 2022. In the table 1, this status has been clarified. The
standards decided in this regard is quite challenging . Therefore, concerted effort
will have to be made to achieve the prescribed targets for 12th five year plan
period (2012-17) in the Agriculture Road Map and if there remains any short fall,
it will be completed during the 13th five year plan period (2017-22).

Table-1 Crop Season Wise Irrigation Requirement

(Area in Lakh Ha.)
Particulars/Year Kharif Rabi Summer Total Irrigation/ Crop
intensity (%)
Present Irrigated Area 20.20 23.11 3.3 46.61 83%
Irrigation Requirement (2017) 31.00 38.00 30.00 99.00 158%
Irrigation Requirement (2022) 35.00 51.00 44.90 130.90 209%

5.1.2 For achievement of targets of Agriculture Road Map (2012-22) as irrigation

requirement shown in 1, the ultimate, created and achieved irrigation potential of
the state is presented in 2. It is clear that proposed irrigated agriculture intensity
of 209% can be achieved from net sown area of 56.19 lakh ha by taking three
irrigated crops from most of the agricultural land.
 27

2-Ultimate, Created and Achieved Irrigation Potential of the State.

(Area in Lakh Ha.)
Type of Irrigation Potential Ultimate Created Utilised
Potential Potential Potential
(a) Major-Medium Irrigation 53.53 28.86 16.36
(b) Minor Irrigation
(i) Surface Irrigation (Including Ahars & Pynes) 15.44 5.191 2.358
(ii) Ground Water Schemes (mostly private shallow 48.57 28.99 26.75
tube well)
Total:- 117.54 63.041 45.468
It is clear from the above table that against the up to date created potential of 63.041
lakh ha, through the major, medium and minor water resources schemes annually
45.468 lakh ha irrigation is achieved and irrigation potential of about 17.573 lakh ha
area has been lost which need to be restored. In the Agriculture Road Map for the
proposed agricultural production, 158% irrigation intensity by year 2017 and 209%
irrigation intensity by year 2022 is required and thereby, irrigation will have to be
provided in 99.00 lakh ha area by 2017 and 130.90 lakh ha by 2022. Even if, it is
proposed to develop the entire ultimate irrigation potential of 117.54 lakh ha by year
2022, requirement will be to create irrigation potential for an additional about 13.36
lakh ha (approx) of land by that period. There are the following alternatives for this:-
(i) Integrated development of the entire potential of major, medium and minor water
resources.
(ii) Conjunctive use of surface and ground water.
(iii) Channel storage of surface water resources in rivers /pynes bed during rainy
season and their use in non-monsoon months.
(iv) Enhancement of ground water availability (especially in hilly regions of South
Bihar) through rain water harvesting and ground water recharge techniques.
(v) Increase in ultimate irrigation potential of the state by enhancing the water use
efficiency by adopting participatory irrigation management and other techniques.
(vi) Efforts to achieve irrigation in larger areas with lesser water by covering
extensive area under sprinkler and drip irrigation system.
(vii) Establishing about 8 lakh additional deep private tube wells to utilize very small
fraction (about 0.30%) of the huge static ground water resources of about 2550
Billion Cubic Metre (BCM) stored in deep aquifers in North Bihar.
 28

This deep aquifer need not be tapped during 12th five year plan period (2012-17).
Very small fraction of ground water resources stored in deep aquifer will be tapped
during 13th five year plan period (2017-22) by installing 8 lakh additional private tube
wells in North Bihar. Otherwise, there will be shortfall of about 16 lakh ha of projected
irrigation during the period.
5.1.3 Qualitative improvement in irrigation along with its horizontal capacity expansion.
Under capacity building programme of major,medium and Minor Water Resources
programme.Organizational expansion, proposals for farmers’ organizations and
participatory irrigation management have also been given included. Adequate
provisions have been made for required monitoring, evaluation, research,
documentation and technical manpower support. This provision is about 10% of
the cost incurred on water resources development/irrigation components of the
programmes. The capacity building provision will also cover the cost of
infrastructure for quality control, third party inspection, non-government
supporting individuals and organizations as well as water user’s associations.
5.2 Strategy of Water Management & Irrigation:-
The following main strategies of water management and irrigation should be adopted:
5.2.1 Conservation of surplus monsoon water for utilization during lean flow period
is most imperative need of the irrigated agriculture sector. Due to non-availability
of suitable dam sites within the state, the storage, conservation and development
of water resources is constrained. However, this constraint may be overcomed to
some extent by adopting the traditional indigenous technology / methodology of
diverting water in Pynes by constructing barriers like barrages / weirs / sluice
gates on streams and storing them in Ahars. This methodology is ideally suitable
and time tested for all districts of South Bihar.
5.2.2 Restoration of lost potential: Irrigation schemes having culturable command
area (CCA) more than 2000 Ha and up to 10,000 Ha come under medium
irrigation and those above, 10,000 Ha come under major irrigation. Existing
created potential is 29.25 LHa under major and medium irrigation scheme in the
state. This lost potential is being restored through schemes under Accelerated
Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP), State plan, NABARD and extension
renovation and modernization (ERM) of the existing schemes.
5.2.3 Drainage:About 9.41 lakh ha. of land has drainage congestion and water logging
problem in the State. Till date above 1.80 lakh ha. has been made free from
drainage congestion. Out of balance 7.61 lakh ha., 2.50 lakh ha. cannot be
 29

economically drained out. Aqua-culture & pisciculture should be encouraged in

this area.
5.2.4 Command Area Development and Water Management(CADWM)
Programme issued by the Ministry of Water Resources, GoI for 12th Plan, the
CADWM Programme has to be implemented in a holistic manner pari-passu with
Irrigation Project under Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Progamme(AIBP) under
which CADWM Programme is being funded. This ensures that Irrigation
Potential created (IPC) with hydraulic connectivity gets utilized soon after its
creation, improves water use efficiency, increases agricultural productivity and
production and brings sustainability in the irrigated agriculture in a participatory
environment. All aspects of CADWM Programme need be taken up in an
integrated and coordinated manner so as to achieve the envisaged objectives of
raising food grains production to meet the increasing need for growing
population.
5.2.5 Performance Evaluation & On Course Correction Mechanism: Periodically
performance evaluation will be carried out to ascertain how far the irrigation
schemes are able to meet their planned objectives. This evaluation of
performance will also suggest the on course correction and remedial measures in
case of deviation/failure in achieving the projected targets. Project Benefit
Monitoring and Evaluation (PBME) will be required to be undertaken for
establishing bench marks which will help in comparing the various indices of
development in future.
5.2.6 Cross Cutting Issues : It has been observed that interaction between agriculture
and irrigation is actually lacking. As a result, the desired benefit of irrigation is
not achieved. Even if the scheme is able to provide irrigation service, it lacks
reliability, timeliness and adequacy. Even if timely and adequate irrigation is
provided, the agricultural productivity remains low. This calls for effective
interaction between officials of water resources department (service provider)
beneficiary farmers (stake holders) and consumers and officials of agriculture
department (facilitators) for achieving the optimum agricultural productivity and
production. Institutional mechanism for thorough discussion on these cross-
cutting issues in irrigated agriculture need to be developed.
5.2.7 Long term solution of Flood Problem: Bihar faces the severe damages due to
flood caused by the rivers originating from Nepal and Tibet every year.
Therefore, the entire cost incurred on flood protection schemes of trans-border
districts of Bihar must be borne by GoI under River Management Activities &
Works related to Border Area (RMAWBA). Re-identification of Flood Prone
 30

Districts should be carried out at earliest on the basis of Highest Flood Level
(HFL) and actual inundated area. For permanent solution of flood problem in
Bihar under long term measures the construction of Sapta Kosi High Dam-Sun
Kosi Diversion scheme on Kosi river, the Multi Purpose High Dam at Noonthore
on Bagmati river and at Chisapani on Kamla river is necessary. For this purpose
the preparation of DPR of these three projects should be completed at the earliest
and concerning Joint Project Office(JPO) at Viratnagar, Nepal should be
strengthened.
5.2.8 Simplification in rules for AIBP(FMP) Schemes. Process for sanctioning the
scheme under FMP(AIBP) is at present very cumbersome so it should be relaxed
by merging the TAC stage and SRC stage at state level and Advisory committee
as well as Investment Clearance stage should be abolished. GFCC should be
empowered to approve scheme costing up to Rs100.00 Crores. The central share
(CS) under FMP (AIBP) should be 90% but if it is not possible then the central
share for old and damaged project under FMP should be kept at 90% instead of
50% and for new projects it should be kept 75% instead of 50%. Reimbursement
mechanism of central share for previous year should be adopted and it should
be reimbursed during next succeeding year . Eligibility criteria of 50% physical
and financial progress should be modified to 10% for inclusion of more new
schemes under AIBP. Under AIBP irrigation sector provision of central share
should be enhanced from 25% to 50% for Projects of normal areas and provision
of CS should be enhanced from 75% to 90% for Projects of flood and drought
prone areas,
5.2.9 Silt Management and Linking of Rivers : The construction of barrages on
Ganga river for the purpose of National Water Way seems not to be better option
but the deepening and dredging of Ganga river for the development of National
Water Way would be a better option. Rivers originating from Nepal and Tibet
bring huge quantity of silt with its water flow. Siltation of river bed causes havoc
during flood and so scientific and technical management of silt is crying need of
present time. Therefore, it is needed that an effective Silt Management Policy
should be framed by Government of India. Linking of river basins projects
should be declared as National Projects.
5.2.10 Interstate Dispute Resolution Authority: It should be constituted immediately
to resolve Inter-State issues pertaining to Tilaiya- Dhadhar Diversion Scheme,
North Koel Reservoir Scheme, Batane Reservoir Scheme, Upper Mahananda
Irrigation Scheme and Indrapuri Reservoir Scheme.
 31

5.2.11 Almost every year Bihar faces vagaries of flood. About 68.80 lakh ha land is
flood prone in the state. The recurring floods cause heavy loss to standing crops,
lives and properties. Managing flood is imperative for intensive irrigated
agriculture. As a short term measure, the state has constructed 3745.65 KM
length of embankment to protect 36.46 lakh ha area from flood upto 2014-15.
There is a programme to protect another 3.36 lakh ha of additional land from
flood by constructing 344.74 KM of embankment in a time frame of 2015-17 and
the remaining 28.98 lakh ha will be made flood free by constructing 2969 KM of
Embankment during 2017-22.
5.2.12 Programme of enhancement of presently utilized irrigation potential of 45.468
lakh ha to 101.09 lakh ha by March, 2017 and 130.90 lakh ha by March, 2022.
5.2.13 Programme of enhancement of present summer irrigation of 3.3 lakh ha to 30
lakh ha by March, 2017 and 44.90 lakh ha by March, 2022.
5.2.14 Establishment of 14.64 lakh private shallows tube wells by March, 2022.
5.2.15 Establishment of 25,400 deep private tube wells (6” dia) in South Bihar and
sugarcane plantation areas (both South and North Bihar) by March, 2022.
5.2.16 Establishment of 50 thousand irrigation dug wells(big dia) for hilly region of
South Bihar.
5.2.17 Artificial ground water recharge and ground water monitoring after construction
of 6700 check dams-cum-water harvesting-cum irrigation structure in South
Bihar plateau regions.
5.2.18 Extensive renovation of about 1770 Ahar-pyne irrigation systems by March,
2017.
5.2.19 Restoration of lost potential of 17.57 lakh ha of existing major, medium and
minor schemes by March, 2017.
5.2.20 Proposal of interlinking of river schemes and transfer of surplus water of North
Bihar rivers to South Bihar by pumping through the Ganga during 2017-22.
5.2.21 Selective lining and extension of canals during 2012-22.
5.2.22 Proposals of water logging removal by providing adequate drainage to 2.11 lakh
ha land by year 2017 and 5.11 lakh ha land by year 2022 mostly in North Bihar.
5.2.23 Flood protection measures for 26.68 lakh ha by year 2017 and additional 12.45
lakh ha by year 2022.
5.2.24 Setting Physical Targets for Major & Medium Irrigation Schemes Schemes:
Targets will be related to creation of irrigation potential through implementation
 32

of various schemes under the sphere of major and medium Irrigation schemes as
follows: (Figures in lakh ha.)
Ultimate Irrigation Irrigation Potential to be developed Irrigation Potential to be
irrigation Potential during (2015-17) developed during (2017-22)
potential Created as
on 31.03.15 Restoration of Additional Irrigation Restoration of Additional
lost Irrigation Potential to be lost Irrigation Irrigation
Potential created Potential Potential to be
created

53.53 29.25 1.36 2.62 2.17 20.65

5.3 Financial outlay for major programme:

(Figure in Rs.Crore)
SN Sectors 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 Total
1 Major & Medium Irrigation Sector

Additional
Creation of
A 2241.415 2241.415 7664.688 7664.688 7664.688 7664.688 7664.688 42806.27
Irrigation
Potential.

Restoration of
B lost Irrigation 809.195 809.195 302.918 302.918 302.918 302.918 302.918 3132.98
Potential

Sub Total 3050.61 3050.61 7967.606 7967.606 7967.606 7967.606 7967.606 45939.25

Drainage
Schemes &
2 190 190 567 567 567 567 567 3215
Removal of
Water logging

Command Area
Development &
3 Water 675 675 605.4 605.4 605.4 605.4 605.4 4377
Mangement
(CADWM)

Flood Control &

4 505.045 505.045 1739.834 1739.834 1739.834 1739.834 1739.834 9709.26
Management

Minor irrigation
5 5000 5500 6050 6655 7321 8053 8858 47437
resources

Grand Total 9421 9921 16930 17535 18200 18932 19738 110677.5
 33

5.4 Water Resources Milestones:

Agriculture Production & Irrigation Indicators after implementation of Road Map for
Irrigated Agriculture through Development of Water Resources (2015-22)

Sr Year/ Required gross Irrigated Required Irrigation

area (lakh ha) Intensity (%)
No Item

1. Existing 65.12 120%

2. 2017 99.00 158%

3. 2022 130.90 209%

 34

Chapter-6

Energy

6.1 Vision: To energize irrigation pump sets (Govt. and Private) and cater to the
requirement of Agro-based Industries by providing adequate conventional and
non-conventional energy by optimization of the resources for meeting the
Agricultural requirement in a time bound manner to achieve agriculture growth
and enhancement in agro-based rural economy. Presently, through the rural
feeders (mixed feeders), 5.83% of total energy is provided to Irrigation
Agriculture Services (IAS-I Private & IAS-II, State Govt.) only against all India
Average of 20.30% while for Haryana it is 38% (Highest). Detailed Power
requirement for proposed Tube Wells (Both Govt. and Private), agro-based
Industries, Food Processing Industries, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries etc.
under two five year plans (2012-17) & (2017-22) has been worked out. The total
connected load of Private Tube Wells numbering 22.14 lacs will be 5860 MW,
and the total connected load of Govt. Tube Wells will be 832 MW by 2021-22.
Allowing for the diversity factor the demand of power for Tube Wells (Govt. &
Private) by 2021-22 works out to 4120 MW. Over and above, there will be
requirement of power for Agro-based Industries, Food Processing Industries,
Animal Husbandry and Fisheries etc. is estimated to be 160 MW. Total projected
demand of power for Agriculture Sector due to Rainbow Revolution works out to
be 4280 MW by 2021-22. 10% of this demand i.e., 428 MW is proposed to be
met through non-conventional energy sources by installing 285000 solar pump
sets of 2 HP each and balance 90% requirement i.e., 3852 MW will be met
through conventional energy sources. The major demand of conventional energy
will be due to demand of Pvt. Tube Wells numbering 1929000 having demand of
3065 MW.The total projected power requirement for Agriculture purposes to be
met through conventional sources of energy works out as follows :-
 35

(Figures in MW)

Year Power requirement for Power requirement for Total Power Projected
State Tube Wells Private Tube Wells Power requirement for total Power
require Agro based requiremen
Minor Irrigation Total Power Number of Power ment for industries, Food t for
Irrigati (Connected (Connected requirement Pvt. Tube require the Processing Agriculture
on Load) Load) taking Well ment Tubewel Industries, Sector
(Conne diversity (cumulative) taking ls Animal
cted factor into diversit (Govt.+ Husbandry &
Load) account y factor Pvt.) Fisheries etc.
into taking diversity
account factor into
account
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 (5+7) 9 10 (8+9)

Existing 83 9.73 92.73 70 51663 82 152 0 152

2015-16 195 115 310 233 431665 686 919 76 995

2016-17 242 292 534 400 616663 980 1380 95 1475

2017-18 252 492 744 558 747897 1189 1747 108 1855

2018-19 267 492 759 569 944747 1501 2070 121 2191

2019-20 287 492 779 584 1207214 1919 2503 134 2637

2020-21 312 492 804 603 1535298 2440 3043 147 3190

2021-22 340 492 832 627 1929000 3065 3692 160 3852

Remarks : The steep rise in power requirement for medium and major Irrigation
Schemes during 2012-17 is due to proposed drainage improvement and scheme
for economic use of water in Mokama Taal having projection of 20,000 tube
wells requiring 10 KW each (200 MW) and during 2017-22, due to scheme of
Intra River Basin Transfer of North Bihar rivers to South Bihar requiring pumping
through Ganga (227 MW).The scenario of Total demand of power for Agriculture
Sector and modified projected demand of power (as per 17th EPSC report) of
Bihar, owing to Rainbow Revolution alongwith projected power availability is
tabulated below :-
 36

(Figures in MW)
Year Projected requirement of Power due to Rainbow Revolution Modified Projected
Govt. Private Requirement of power Projected Projected availability
Tubewells Tubewells due to Agro based Total Power requirement of of Power
Industries, Food requirement Power (Demand) in Bihar
Processing Industries, for for Bihar in view
Animal Husbandry and Agriculture of Rainbow
Fisheries etc. taking Sector Revolution
diversity factor into
account
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Existing 70 82 0 152 3000 1500
2015-16 233 686 76 995 5957 5314
2016-17 401 980 95 1476 6750 8032
2017-18 558 1189 108 1855 7597 8935
2018-19 569 1501 121 2191 8385 9314
2019-20 584 1919 134 2637 9181 9314
2020-21 603 2440 147 3190 9982 9314
2021-22 627 3065 160 3852 10760 9314
Note : Against the total projected requirement of power of 3852 MW due to Rainbow
Revolution, the major power requirement is due to tube wells (both Govt. &
Pvt.) and it is proposed to meet this requirement through dedicated feeder.
Taking 10 to 12 hrs. power supply to dedicated feeders, the actual power
requirement during any point of time will not be more than 60% of the projected
requirement of power of 3852 MW and accordingly, the modified projected
power requirement for Bihar has been worked out.
6.2 Strategy : For meeting the projected power requirement for Agriculture Sector
inclusive of Agro-Industries, Food Processing Industries, Animal Husbandry,
Fisheries & Seed Production etc. due to Rainbow Revolution, the total requirement
of the energy has been worked out under two broad categories, viz. :-
• Conventional Energy
• Non- conventional Energy
The primarily conventional energy will cater to major energy requirements for
Agriculture purposes except for such locations where either due to economic
considerations or physical inaccessibility etc., it will not be viable to provide grid-
connected electrical energy at the site. Keeping these aspects in view, it was decided
that 90% of the total requirement of the energy for the purposes will be met through
conventional sources whereas balance 10% will be met through non conventional
 37

sources. It has been decided to provide dedicated feeder for meeting the requirement of
electrical power for Agriculture.

The modified demand of power for Bihar is inclusive of power requirement due
to increased demand of Industrial / Allied activities owing to Rainbow
Revolution.

To have dedicated power for agriculture which will improve quality of supply,
permits rotation of load between agriculture and other rural requirements during
scarcity of power, allow HVDS system improving HT to LT ratio and assured
power to agriculture during specified period of time.

The requirement of Power for Fisheries will occur during the month of April,
May & June and during this period the requirement of power for irrigational
purposes will be only 30% of its load. However, the requirement of power for
breeding the fish will be throughout the year, though in small quantity.

Taking the diversity factor into account against requirement of power to the
different segments and category of consumers the increased requirement of
energy and its demand can be well catered through the integrated distribution
network.

It has been proposed that requirement of power in North Bihar with High Water
Table having the bulk of private Shallow Tube Wells, will be met through solar
pump sets in large numbers.

Biomass Energy can also supplement the power requirement in Rural Areas.

Staggering of Load: Irrigational requirement to be met during non-peak period.

Demand side management: Energy efficient motors as prescribed by Bureau of
Energy Efficiency (BEE) to be used for agriculture pump sets with power factor
correction capacitors which will reduce the demand.

Through tariff mechanism: Application of Time Of Day (TOD) tariff to
agriculture sector will flatten the demand.

Mechanism for increased Subsidy Burden on Govt. due to High Line Losses in
Rural Areas to be developed.

Annual Appraisals: For ensuring required availability of power, the actual
requirement of power for Agriculture Sector will be reviewed annually.
 38

The Captive Generation of power through Sugar Mills, which will be fed to
BSEB Transmission system can be gainfully utilized for meeting the Irrigational
requirement of cane crops in the associated areas. These areas will be provided
stable power supply for minimum period as per requirement to promote yield of
cane as a boost to Sugarcane Industries.

Simplified Procedure for releasing service connection for Agriculture Pump Sets
to farmers by organizing camps in villages / Block Headquarters on fixed date
with wide publicity.

6.3 Financial requirement Rs. In crore

1 2015-16 942
2 2016-17 1130
3 2017-18 1243
4 2018-19 1367
5 2019-20 1504
6 2020-21 1654
7 2021-22 1820
Total 9660
 39

Chapter-7

Land Resource Management

7.1 Vision: The preparation and maintenance of to-date record of rights is the basic
plank on which land resource management and administration rests. The same has,
in turn, clear bearings on the following:-
• Land Possession Certificates
• Institutional Credit/ agricultural productivity
• Consolidation of fragmented land holdings/ agricultural productivity
• Identification and preservation of Public and Community lands including
Common Property Resources
• Land reforms through re-distributive justice and other measures.
• Execution of various development & welfare schemes
With the use of modern technology RoR will be continuously updated once a
base is created. No Revisional survey and settlement since Cadastral Survey
could be conducted in some areas of the State. Experience shows that Revisional
survey and settlement operations, following conventional methods, in some parts
of the State, have proved to be long drawn out and cumbersome. In such
circumstances, the very purpose of survey and settlement is defeated, as by the
time records are finally published, they become out-dated.
In the context as explained above, it is proposed to cover the entire State by
special survey and settlement, in one go. A distinct legal base has been created to
support the operations. A distinct set of Rules, Technical Rules and Settlement
Manual accordingly will lay down practices and procedures in this regard.
7.2 Stategy:
7.2.1 Modern technology is available to minimize time spent on survey part, while
the settlement aspect may be judiciously squeezed without sacrificing quality,
transparency and grievance redressal.
7.2.2 It is proposed that base mapping, demarcation and ground truthing be carried
out by modern technology in preliminary and subsequent stages. Active
 40

participation of Panchayati Raj institutions and people will be ensured.

Certain services will be outsourced to save on time and ensure technical
proficiency. Claims and objections will be invited and the same will be duly
disposed off at various stages of the drive. While services of experienced
officers available in various districts will be taken, staff requirements for the
drive will be met by available staff and, additionally, staff taken on contract.
7.2.3 Special focus will be made on the empowerment of the rank and file
associated with the special drive. This will ensure quality as well as technical
proficiency. The proposed system will be marked by people's participation
and accessibility to information and data. Transparency at all levels will be
the hallmark of new practices and procedures.
7.2.4 Consolidation of fragmented land holdings will be carried out and completed
in a period of 5 years after the conclusion of the 3-year special
survey/settlement drive. This will call for certain corollary legal and
administrative exercises.
7.2.5 Mutation Act 2011 and Mutation Rules 2012 is already in force. In the above
Mutation Law also provides for the preparation of Khata-Pustika for all
Raiyats. This would be effectively enforced in next three years.
7.2.6 There is a serious concern about the absenteeism in agricultural sector. This
hampers investment by tillers. As a result crop productivity remains low. If
the leasing process of land is facilitated through empowering legal provisions,
optimal utilisation of resources and increase in agricultural productivity may
be assured.
7.2.7 There is also a move towards a land titling system. Efforts will be made to
move from presumptive to conclusive titles and from a registration of deeds to
the registration of titles.
 41

7.2.8 The existing Directorate of Land Records & Survey, Bihar/Bihar Survey
Office, Gulzarbagh, Patna and Revenue (Survey) Training Institute,
Bodhgaya will be modernized and suitably reoriented.
Financial outlay Rs in crore

S.N Year Outlay (Rs. In crore)

1 2015-16 158

2 2016-17 174

3 2017-18 191

4 2018-19 210

5 2019-20 231

6 2020-21 254

7 2021-22 280

Total 1499
 42

Chapter-8

Plantation & Green coverage

8.1 Introduction
8.1.1 Bihar is a forest deficit state. There is immense pressure on land due to dense
population and the pre-eminence of agriculture in the economy of the people.
Since there is no scope to expand forest area, the only way for increasing tree
cover is by bringing more non-forest land under tree cover. It is aimed to raise
the tree cover in Bihar to15% by the end of 2017.
8.1.2 More than 50% of the forest area is classified as open forest area , with a
crown density between 10% to 40% according to the State of The Forests
Report -2013 published by the Forest Survey of India.
8.1.3 One of the major challenges is to improve the quality of forests in the notified
forest areas. Most of the forests are situated in the southern part of the state
(barring forests in West Champaran District) which is prone to drought. The
site quality of these areas is low which not support very rich forests. All the
forests are being maintained for environmental conservation purposes. The
current working plans of the forests do not prescribe any commercial
exploitation.
8.1.4 As the area under natural forests cannot be increased the only way of
increasing the tree cover is its enhancement in non forest areas. The area
outside forest is very densely populated and extremely fertile. Agriculture
takes the pre-eminent land use. Increase of tree cover can only be achieved if
the economic returns from tree planting are better than those accruing from
agricultural activities.
8.2 Strategy
8.2.1 The Forest Policy prescribes a tree tree cover of 33% at the national level. The
prescribed tree cover for hilly areas is 60% and for plain areas it is 20%. Bihar
should strive for 20% tree cover which is not practical considering the
 43

population density and pre-eminence of agriculture. The Agriculture Road

Map envisages increasing the tree cover to 15%. This is proposed to be done
by two pronged approach as described in the following paras :
8.2.2 Treatment of Forest Areas
• More than half of the notified forest area accounting for 6.87% of the total
geographical area of the state is classified as open forest i.e. having a crown
density between 10 and 40%. It is necessary to improve the tree cover in the
forest areas and transfer these areas into moderately dense forests ( crown
density between 40 and 70%).
• Similarly attempts should be made to transfer the moderately dense forest into
very dense forests (crown density over 70%).This is being done by improving
the soil moisture regime by undertaking extensive soil and moisture
conservation measures since 2012 under the Agriculture Road Map. The
ridge-to-valley principle with multi tier sequenced approach is being adopted.
Each watershed has unique characteristics and problems. Its treatment and
management would therefore require careful consideration of various site
specific factors like topography, nature and depth of soil cover, type of rocks,
water absorbing capacity of land, rainfall intensity, land use etc. The intention
is to retain as much precipitation as possible within the forest areas. The
efforts are already bearing fruit as indicated by the evidence available in the
adjoining areas. Number of small water bodies created across the landscape
has become a very important source of water for the local villagers in crunch
periods. The wells in the adjoining areas which used to run dry in summer are
now providing water to the local people even in summer months.
• The soil and moisture conservation measures are being supplemented by
plantation at 2500 plants/ ha, 1100 plants/ ha and 200 plants/ ha depending on
the existing tree cover. With the improvement in soil moisture regime it is
expected that the tree cover would also improve in due course of time. The
Agriculture Road Map had fixed a target of treating 2 lakh hectares of forest
 44

land during 2012-17 period during which 10.25 crore plants will be planted. A
total of 1.04 lakh hectares have been treated between 2012-13 and 2014-15
and 4.78 crore plants have been planted. This is proposed to be increased to 3
lakh hectares by 2021-22 and the target of planting is proposed to be
increased to 1537.5 crores.
• One of the important factors in improving the quality of forests is the use of
quality planting material. This can be done by using tissue culture techniques
(particularly for bamboo), identification of plus tree and development of seed
orchards. This has to be supplemented by creating a seed bank and seed
certification mechanism for ensuring the quality of the planting material.
• Infrastructure of production of quality planting material needs to be improved.
The state has embarked on this process by sanctioning establishment of two
tissue culture labs for production of quality bamboo seedlings. The number
needs to be increased as the state has excellent potential for bamboo
production.
• Establishment of modern nurseries is another essential input for this purpose.
The state is in the process of commissioning six modern nurseries. There is
need for establishment of at least one nursery in the 28 forest divisions.
8.2.3 Increase tree cover outside forest areas
• Increase in tree cover outside forest areas will be the key for improving the
tree cover in the state. For this purpose the trees have to compete with
agriculture by providing higher economic return. Propagation of short
rotation, high yield crops should be the route. The state has introduced Poplar
on a large scale in the districts of North Bihar. These trees can co-exist with
the agricultural crops and provide economic benefit when the crops mature at
the expected rotation of 6-9 years. The Agriculture Road Map envisages
planting of 600 lakh plants between 2012 and 2017. It is proposed to increase
the target to 900 lakh plants by 2021-22.
 45

• Plantation of trees on vacant government lands, roadsides, canal banks, river

embankments is another area where tree planting can be taken up. River bank
embankments over 3600 kms, 10300 km of canal banks, and nearly 80000 km
of roadsides offer scope for planting. The Agriculture Road Map had a target
of 2200 km of river embankments, 6235 km of canal banks and 42000 km of
roadsides. It is proposed to cover the entire available land by 2021-22. These
linear plantations require intensive protection mechanism as they pass through
densely populated areas having heavy human and cattle pressure.
• Urban areas, institutional areas offer another window of opportunity for
plantation, though their extent is limited.
• Target for plantation on government wastelands, canal banks, roadsides, river
embankments, urban areas etc under the Agriculture Road Map was 7.70
crore. This is proposed to be increased to 10.00 crores till 2021-22.
8.3 Strengthening of Monitoring mechanisms
8.3.1 It is necessary to monitor the success of the plantations on a regular basis. In case
of plantations in forest areas it is being done using an android based system
where regular monitoring of the health of plantation is done by uploading of the
status by officers inspected by officers.
8.3.2 Monitoring of the plantations in farm lands is extremely difficult as these are
scattered in nature and the number plants in a single plantation is very limited.
However, it is expected that the farmers will ensure that the plantations are
successful keeping their economic interests is view.
8.4 Strengthening of institutional Mechanisms Development of market structure
and forward linkages is essential to sustain the plantation program in the farmers
field. Large scale availability of wood which will be available at maturity needs a
good market so that the farmers get the maximum benefit for their produce. This
needs to be integrated with strengthening of wood based industries by providing
incentives.
 46

8.5 Financial outlay till 2021-22

S.N Year Outlay (Rs. In crore)

1 2015-16 321

2 2016-17 369

3 2017-18 400

4 2018-19 450

5 2019-20 540

6 2020-21 620

7 2021-22 620

Total 3320
 47

Chapter-9

Approach Road
9.1 Introduction The primary objective of approach road is to provide farm to
market connectivity by constructing all weather roads. Various schemes like
PMGSY, MMGSY, NABARD funded scheme contribute to this goal. At present,
habitation with population of 250 is being connected to main stream under
Mukhya Mantri Gram Sampark Yojna by all weather roads. Pradhan Mantri
Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), central government funded schemes started with
an objective to provide connectivity to settlements with population of 1000 to the
main stream, later it revised its plan and habitation with population of 500 were
also taken up for providing connectivity. In some extremist ridden areas a
habitation with population of 250 is being also covered by PMGSY. The target as
per Agriculture Road Map between period 2012-2017 is completion of 63950 km
which is quite challenging given the financial limitations.

9.1.1 Rural road is a life line to the villagers because it enhances the standard of life by
fetching valuable emoluments for the agricultural & non agricultural products.
The total network in Bihar is 1,40,220 km out of which 1,22,598 km is rural roads
network which is about 87% of the total road network in Bihar. At present 50,200
km rural roads has been constructed which has connected as many as 54103
habitations.

9.1.2 State vision is to connect all unconnected habitations by 2025. Bihar Rural Roads
Maintenance policy has been formulated for ensuring proper maintenance of rural
roads.

9.2 Major challenges

9.2.1 The total road network in Bihar is 1,40,220 km out of which 1,22,598 km is rural
roads network which is about 87% of the total road network in Bihar.
Constructing these extent of road is itself a great challenges from financing,
executing and maintaining point of view. A huge amount of fund is required for
constructing rural roads. so, effort has to be made ensure greater budgetary
allocation. Govt. of India to be sounded to provide timely allotment under
PMGSY schemes in order that sanctioned schemes could be run at accelerated
pace.
 48

9.2.2 Ganga bridge is required to be improved to ensure movement of heavy vehicle to

reach road construction material to the work sites.
9.2.3 Proper supply of bituminous material is required to be ascertained.
9.2.4 The member of Legislative assembly/council have to be called upon to expedite
the process of scheme selection at faster pace, so that execution is not delayed.

9.3 Vision and policy perspective

9.3.1 The prime objective is to provide farm to market connectivity by constructing all
weather roads. Rural road is one of the major component of rural development, it
ensures not only agriculture income generating employment opportunity but also
strengthens socio- economic services.
9.3.2 In turn this expands rural growth opportunities and real income through which
poverty can be reduced. In other words the link between poverty and
inaccessibility is evident.
9.3.3 Rs. 10,000 crore investment in roads reduces incidence of rural poverty by
0.87%. Additional Rs. 10,000 crore invested in roads increase productivity
growth by >3%. For each Rs. 10 lakhs increase in investment in roads, 165
person are lifted above BPL.
9.3.4 Lack of rural road connectivity seriously constrains agricultural production. In the
absence of rural feeder roads, the cost of moving produce can be very high
thereby increasing the cost of production in Agriculture. Poor rural connectivity
affects timely availability of agricultural inputs and also increases cost. Access to
other resources like labour is difficult in absence of rural roads.
9.3.5 Rural roads can make it easier to transport agricultural inputs to villages which in
a way can lead some farmers to switch from food crops to cash crops. Usage of
modern technology become easier with rural connectivity. This will have positive
impact on production. Farm mechanization and other extension services will be
easily available at the door step of the farmers.
9.3.6 Unconnected habitations of populations below 250 is to be connected with rural
roads.
9.3.7 While developing the roads, the use of soil will be assured with utmost effort for
creation of water bodies along with the roads. The water bodies can be utilized
for water conservation, recharge of under ground water, fish culture and life
saving irrigation for crops.
9.3.8 There is a need to link all habitations with the main hats and markets in the
vicinity preferably within 5 Kms.
 49

9.3.9 It is also important to create a network of farm roads to facilitate movement of

Farm equipments and also to take post harvest collections to the primary
processing centres.
9.4 Strategy
9.4.1 Following major connectivity programme has been started,
• Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)
• Mukhya Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (MMGSY)
• Mukhya Mantri Gram Sampark Yojana (MMGSY)
• Others State plan (NABARD)

9.5 Financial Outlay for Major Programme

Target (2015-16 to 2021-22)

Expected cost
Year Length(Km) rate(in Cr) per km
(in Cr)

2015-16 9150 0.80 7320.00

2016-17 7000 0.90 6300.00

2017-18 6000 1.00 6000.00
2018-19 6500 1.10 7150.00
2019-20 7000 1.15 8050.00
2020-21 7500 1.20 9000.00
2021-22 5957 1.25 7446.25
TOTAL 49107 51266.25

9.6 MileStones

Sl. Department Item Unit Critical Achievement

No. MileStone
2012&13 2013&14 2014&15
(2017)

1 Rural Works Road K.M. 69350 8500.00 6504.51 5254.22

Department
 50

Chapter-10

Cooperatives
10.1 Introduction : In Bihar each of the 8463 Panchayats has a democratically elected
Primary Agriculture Cooperative Societies (PACS). 531 Blocks have Vyapar
Mandals Sahyog Samiti (VMSS). They are the main institutions given the
responsibility to ensure input supply and also for marketing of agricultural
produce. There are 22 District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs) and an Apex
level State Cooperative Bank (SCB) with wide network of Branches (Both SCB
and DCCBs) for catering the needs of short term credit requirements. Presently,
short term agriculture credit of Rs. 441.73 crore among 2.43 lakh farmer members
has been disbursed through Cooperative Credit Structure. Nearly 8.13 lakh MT
storage capacity has been created in PACS, VMSS and Bihar State Warehousing
Corporation.

10.2 Vision : PACS and VMSS would be developed to provide services to farmer
members regarding agricultural inputs availability and marketing of agriculture
produce including procurement. It would be ensured that all families engaged in
agricultural activities would have at least one member in the PACS. PACS would
be properly strengthened to create adequate storage facility to store the inputs and
the marketable produce. It would also maintain a strong database for all farms,
input requirements, nature of crops and likely produce so that it can plan proper
storage and supply of inputs and also plan for the marketing of the farm produce.
Role of State Cooperative Bank and District Cooperative Bank would be further
enhanced to meet major chunk of credit requirement in agriculture and allied
sector. There is a need to develop state level cooperative institutions to support and
guide VMSS and PACS.

10.3 Strategy

To meet the target set for the cooperative sector, the strategy for construction work
like godown construction, establishment of processing units (rice mills) and
business development works in cooperative societies shall be as follows :-

(i) For the construction of godowns in PACS and VMSS, in case of non
availability of required fund under State Plan, the State Government will borrow
loans from National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) or
 51

NABARD and such loans shall be passed on to the PACS and VMSS through
Cooperative Banks in form of 50% grant and 50% interest free loan. A
Revolving Fund will be created and maintained at the Bihar State Cooperative
Bank from amount received through repayment of loans by PACS and VMSS.
Such Revolving Fund shall be used to provide interest free loans to societies for
maintenance of infrastructural units.
(ii) For the establishment of processing units, the required fund provisioned under
Five Year Plan (2012-17) and RKVY shall be used to provide societies in the
form of 50% grant and 50% interest free loan. The amount received under
repayment of loan by the societies shall be deposited in the above Revolving
Fund.
(iii) To provide Working Capital or margin money for business development and off
season stock maintenance of fertilizer in societies, in case of non availability of
fund under State Plan, the State Government will borrow loans for
NCDC/NABARD and the societies will be provided working capital or margin
money in form of interest free loans or loans under low rate of interest.
(iv) For construction of godowns in Bihar State Warehousing Corporation, the
required fund shall be provided through State Plan and the State Government
borrowings loan from RIDF (NABARD).
(v) The Integrated Cooperative Development Project (ICDP) expansion shall
continue on existing pattern of funding.
(vi) In case of Agriculture Crop Insurance Scheme, the existing pattern of funding
shall continue.
10.4 Programmes & Activities :

(a) Strengthening Short-Term Agriculture Credit flow through Cooperative

Credit Structure :
Importance of cheap, timely and easy access to agricultural credit can hardly
be overemphasized.The average annual credit disbursal in Bihar under the short-
term cooperative agriculture credit structure has been around 450 crores covering
around 2.0-2.5 lakh farmer members. Compared to the total membership of the
PACSs that is one crore, this level of credit flow requires further strengthening.
The present level of credit flow is not up to the mark because of the financially
weak Central Cooperative Banks, inability to avail refinancing facilities of the
NABARD. Another constraint of agriculture credit flow is non-recovery of loan.
Thus, the defaulter farmer members, fairly substantial in number, are currently
not eligible for fresh credit facilities. In addition, the non availability of Land
 52

Possession Certificate (LPC), an essential document for KCC, is also proving a

deterrent to enhanced agriculture credit flow. To meet the requirement of
agricultural credit in conformation with the agriculture production by year 2017,
a minimum of 20 lakh farmer members and by 2022, 40 lakh farmer members
should be provide Kisan Credit Cards (KCC).To achieve the aforesaid objectives
following efforts would be made,
(i) Enhancing the agriculture credit flow and the capacity of Central
Cooperative Banks to avail refinancing facility, the government may
deposit its money in the Central Cooperative Banks.
(ii) Deposit drive in Central Cooperative banks and viable PACS will be
initiated.
(iii) Central Cooperative banks will be facilitated to acquire Banking Licence
from the Reserve Bank of India.
(iv) Exiting Central Cooperative Banks will ensure expansion of its branches to
cover all blocks.
(v) New Central Cooperative Banks in unbanked districts will be opened.
(vi) The financing limit of the Kisan Credit Card, already issued to farmer
members to meet their agriculture Credit requirement will be enhanced.
(vii) The Joint Liability Group (JLG) and self Help Group (SHG) of share
croppers would be constituted and agriculture credit facility be extended to
such groups in selected PACS.
(viii) Selection of Districts/PACS to initiate issuing of Kisan Credit Cards and
crop financing by PACS itself on the basis of Credit Limit sanctioned by
the District Central Cooperative Banks.
(ix) Current procedure and provisions of short term Cooperative Credit should
be reviewed in order to make them comparatively simple and easy.
(x) A vigorous, effective monitoring system of credit flow to be instituted at
DCCB and BSCB.
(b) Development of Physical Infrastructure :
In absence of adequate infrastructure, Cooperative institutions can’t be
effective service providers. Around 75% of reorganized PACS at panchyat level
 53

and a substantial number of Vyapar Mandals are devoid of any physical

infrastructure or office. It is essential to develop sufficient infrastructure in PACS
and Vyapar Mandals in order to ensure services in agricultural inputs viz.
fertilizers, seeds etc. to farmer members; marketing of agricultural produce;
deposit mobilization programmes; procurement of food grains; public
distribution system, to impart training to Cooperative human resources.
The physical structure at PACS level should carry storage capacity of at
least 200 MT, an office room and a room for deposit mobilization (banking
business). In addition, it is also required to develop area and agricultural produce
specific processing units in selected PACS.
The Vyapar Mandal Cooperative Societies (VMSS) organized at every
block as central societies having membership of primary societies mostly PACS,
will be developed so as to function as nodal agency for its member societies, most
likely as buffer and off season stockiest for fertilizers, seeds and area specific
specialized storage of onions, vegetables, oil seeds, pulses etc. For these
assignments physical structure of VMSS should have storage capacity of at least
500 MT, specific structure for specialized storage and processing, adequate room
for office and space for training purpose.
Large size godowns each with a carrying capacity of 1000 MT shall be
constructed in 100 selected and viable PACS.
The requirement of land for creating storage capacity in PACS shall be met
through already available land or donation of land by member farmers of the
PACS itself or through lease/purchase from its own resources. However, for
creating storage capacity in VMSS at block headquarters the land available in the
block campus will be used. For the Bihar State Warehousing Corporation, it will
be appropriate to provide land in Agriculture Produce Marketing Yard (dissolved)
on priority basis.
(c) Business Development & Marketing :
Only economically sound PACS and VMSS can be better service provider to
their members. Thus, it is essential to develop business in these societies to the
optimal levels.
 54

Most of the PACS and VMSS lack working capital to transact the business
related to agriculture inputs (fertilizer, seeds etc.), marketing of agriculture
produce (procurement), Public Distribution System, processing units etc. Thus, it
is essential to provide financial assistance to PACS and VMSS in the form of
working capital. In order to translate potential into performance PACS and
VMSS at the grass root level must be enabled to undertake a number of agri-
business activities. Agri-inputs (Fertilizer, Seeds and Insecticides), deposit
mobilization, agri-processing, agri-marketing and agri-counselling are areas in
which such societies can make much needed and very meaningful intervention.
To begin with every PACS and VMSS should be provided with financial
assistance in form of working capital at the rate of Rs. 2.0 lakh per PACS and
Rs. 5.0 lakh per VMSS . In addition PACS should be provided with additional
working capital at the rate of Rs. 2.0 lakh per PACS for fertilizer business
exclusively.
In order to develop business activities in the societies, the following efforts
will be made -
(i) To facilitate the PACS and VMSS to get license for fertilizer, seeds and
insecticide business.
(ii) To coordinate with the departments concerned in facilitating allocation of at
least 25% of the fertilizer from private sectors (other than IFFCO &
KRIBHICO) to PACS and VMSS.
(iii) PACS will be encouraged and promoted to purchase big Agriculture
Implements to extend services facilities to their farmer members on rent
basis.
(iv) Selected societies shall be encouraged for seed farming, seed processing and
running agri-clinics.
(v) PACS will be encouraged and promoted on pilot basis for the commercial
production of Vermi compost.
(vi) To strengthen the PACS and to make them economically viable, at least 5
selected PACS per district per year shall be encouraged to start deposit
mobilization programme and micro financing activities.
 55

(vii) To ensure the security of the money deposited in PACS and to encourage
trust among the members, introduction of Deposit Guarantee Scheme in
PACS.
(viii)The PACS which are not covered under the revival package based on the
recommendation of the Baidyanathan Committee shall be strengthened
economically by increasing their business turnover. A specific programme
should be launched by Cooperative Department for this purpose.
(ix) Efforts shall be extended towards PACS covered under the revival package
to increase their business activities to meet their own contribution scheduled
in the revival package.
(x) Off –Season lifting and Buffer Stock Maintenance of fertilizer is an area
where positive intervention is long overdue. It is also necessary to check
fertilizer crisis during the peak season when supply fails to meet the demand
of fertilizers. Vyapar Mandal Cooperative Societies (VMSS) at block level
can be entrusted with the assignment to function as nodal agencies to lift
fertilizers during the off-season and to maintain the buffer stock of the
fertilizers in VMSS godowns at block head quarters. In this system it will be
easy and appropriate for PACS to lift fertilizer from VMSS, that is, from
their block head quarters.
(xi) Arrangement for State Government’s participation in share capital of the
district Central Cooperative Banks proposed to be constituted.
(d) Human Resource Development :
To meet the challenges and responsibilities relating to supply of agriculture
inputs, short-term agriculture credit flow, post harvest management, agri-processing,
agri-marketing, and to deliver better agri-services to member farmers, it will be
essential to strengthen Human Resources with appropriate working strength of
personnel and their capacity building on professional lines. To achieve these
objective following steps shall be taken –
I. The PACS, DCCBs and SCB will fill up the existing vacancies. The DCCBs
will redraw their personnel policy in line with Mitra Committee
recommendations and keeping individual bank’s financial health to fill up
 56

the required vacancies in phased manner by adopting fair, transparent and

objective recruitment procedure.
II. Having regard to the Vaidhyathan Committee recommendations which have
been incorporated in the Cooperative Societies Act after tripartite MOU, the
CEOs of the DCCBs and SCB shall be appointed by the respective Bank
Boards considering Fit and Proper Criteria laid down by the RBI.
III. As the economic health of Vyapar Mandal improves, possibilities of creating
separate post of secretary/manager for appointment of non government
employee on contract basis will be explored as the present system of having
Cooperative Extension Officer (CEO) its Secretary is not serving the
purpose due to large scale vacancies of BCEOs and lack of accountability.
IV. Regular training, workshops, seminars will be organised for stakeholders to
build their capacity and generate awareness and motivation. Excursion to
processing and marketing centres of excellence in other states and
institutions will be encouraged so that best practices are adopted without
going through learning curve.
V. The training and infrastructure in the state will be strengthened by capacity
expansion of the existing institutions like DNS Patna and Pusa. In order
meet the growing demand for capacity building effort shall be made to set up
state level premier Cooperative Institution at Patna depending upon the
availability of land in the pattern of Vaikunth Mehta Institute of Cooperative
Management, Puna.
VI. To enhance the efficiency of the system and improve the mobility and
communication, facilities of vehicles to all Sub-divisions, Districts,
Divisional and Directorate officials, Mobile, Telephone and Computers with
accessories e.g. fax printer and internet connection will be provided.
Computersition and e-governance in departmental offices and introduction
of MIS for effective monitoring will be essential ingredients.
VII. To make the administrative and monitoring system efficient, it is essential to
re-orient and re-structure the State services and cadre accordingly. It will
also require establishment of new departmental offices in division, districts,
sub-divisions and blocks devoid of any departmental officers. For that matter
 57

surrender, creation, upgradation of existing posts and establishment of new

field offices shall be considered.

(e) Crop Insurance

Crop cultivation in the State is still largely dependent on natural resources and
hence, it is essential and relevant to compensate farmers timely for the damage
caused by natural calamities. Though, the Crop Insurance Scheme is effective
since 1987-88 and insurance coverage both in terms of area and number of farmer
has been increasing substantially, it is still necessary to reduce the gap between
the cultivation area and crop insurance coverage area. In addition many
shortcomings in the process, procedure and payment of compensation are
required to be improved. Following steps shall be made to make the Crop
Insurance System effective and Farmer Friendly –
I. Scope of the crop insurance need to be increased in consultation with GOI and
Insurance companies to give insurance cover to more cash crops.
II. Alternate strategy needs to be devised to improve the reliability and timely
submission of data of Crop Cutting Experiments (CCE).
III. Time gap in payment of crop loss compensation needs to be reduced from
current average of 16 months to 10 months.
IV. PACS to be given orientation training on operational aspects of the crop
insurance as their role is important for the wider coverage and prompt
disbursal of the claims.
V. Conduct a study about the efficacy of CCE based National Insurance Scheme,
Modified national Insurance Scheme and Whether Based Insurance.
Ultimately the scheme should be farmer friendly and the cost of insurance
should be competitive.
VI. Set up a strong monitoring and evaluation cell at the state level by creating a
post of officer supported by statisticians, data entry operator and computers.
(f) Development of the Bihar State Warehousing Corporation :
The Bihar State Warehousing Corporation, an institution established
under Agriculture Produce Development and Warehousing Corporation Act,
 58

primarily provides for scientific storage of agricultural produce, agriculture

inputs and constructions of godowns. At present, the corporation is operating
with storage capacity of 2.60 lakh MT.
In view of the storage requirement of the state by 2017, the corporation
can be entrusted with the task of creating additional storage capacity. However,
for that storage creation the availability of land, most likely in the premises of
Agriculture Marketing Yard (APMC, dissolved) may be ensured.
10.4 Financial Requirement for 2017 & 2022 :
(Amt. in Crore)

Requirement for
Requirement 2017-2022
2015- 2017 (Estimated)
Programmes
(Estimated)

Government Government
(1) Creation of Storage Capacity
(a) PACS 186.662 346.66
(b) VMSS 36.60 76.66

223.262 423.32

(c) BSWC 884.10 600.00

(2) Establishment of Rice Mills with/without Biomass

gassifier & Processing units
(a) Establishment of Rice Mills 47.53 114.00
(b) Cold Storage 17.50 31.85

(3) Financial Assistance for Business

(a) Working Capital for PACS/VMSS 195.31 --
(b) Working Capital to PACS for Fertilizer Business
(c) Share Capital for New DCCBs 105.26 --
30.00 --

(4) ICDP Expansion 500.00 800.00

(5) Capacity Building 50.00 10.00

(6) Capital Expenditure for New DCCBs 10.00 --

(7) Crop Insurance (Premium & Indemnity) 1350.00 800.00

GRAND TOTAL 3412.962 2779.17

 59

Chapter-11

Storage, Marketing & Processing

Storage:
11.1 Vision: In view of the increase in agricultural production, its storage capacity
assumes paramount importance for its protection, storage and food security 4.09
lakh MT foodgrains is being handled, stored and distributed every month in
government TDPS schemes implemented in public interest as mandated by
National Food Security Act(NFSA). For this storage capacity is of utmost
importance. In addition to this foodgrain has to be distributed among those
additional beneficiaries who are not included in the list of the beneficiaries of
central scheme. Paddy and Wheat is procured at minimum support price in Kharif
and Rabi respectively. During 2011-12 rabi season target for wheat procurement
was set at 11 lakh MT and during Kharif 2012 a target of 25 lakh MT of paddy
procurement is set. The decentralized Procurement Programme for Wheat/Rice
has been implemented for the year 2013-14 in the State of Bihar. The State
Government originally envisaged the Procurement Programme of Paddy/Wheat
with clear intent to provide MSP to the farmers. The State Government provisions
bonus to the farmers on its own resources in addition to MSP. There is need of
Sufficient godowns to store paddy/CMR/wheat. During 2013-14 and 2014-15
rabi season target for wheat procurement was set at 5 lakh MT. Besides these the
target of maize procurement has been set for the year 2015-16 about 7.21 lakh
MT. For the procurement of this dimension, adequate storage capacity is
extremely important. As a result of these procurement operations, farmers will be
directly benefitted. In this context a target of 72.15 lakh MT storage capacity for
2017 and 92.15 lakh MT for 2022 has been envisaged for this road map.
 60

11.2 Requirement assessed for agriculture road map (agencywise) following target is
set 2017 and 2022:
¼Capacity in lakh MT)
Agency Storage Target for 2017 Target for 2022
Capacity
Current
PACS 5.77 11.42 15.64
Vyapar Mandal 0.49 2.41 3.41
BISCOMAN 2.45 3.45 4.45
State warehousing Corp. 2.60 12.60 22.60
State Food Corp. 12.65 18.50 21.35
Central warehousing Corp - 8.00 -
PEG/Private Sector/Farmer - 15.77 17.55
Total 23.96 72.15 85.00

11.3 Financial requirement

Expected cost
Year
(in Cr)
2015-16 770
2016-17 847
2017-18 932
2018-19 1025
2019-20 1127
2020-21 1240
2021-22 1364
TOTAL 7305
In addition to it there will be required to do some supports works like:-
Construction of Godown Office, Labour Shed & Toilet, electrical substation. Guard
Cabin. Weigh Bridge Counter, Driveway and Parking, external PHE services,
Underground water Tanks, external electrification, Approach Road where it is
necessary. Government provisions bonus to the farmers on its own resources in
addition to MSP. There is need of sufficient godowns to store paddy/CMR/wheat.
Taking into consideration the financial condition of the state and financial implication
therein, the Central Govt. may be requested to make available the amount incurred in
terms of providing bonus to the farmers of the state. Moreover, the Govt. of India
 61

may also be requested to reimburse the fund on time against CMR so that BSFC cab
be protected out of financial loss faced due to delay of payment.
11.4 Cold Storage: The target for cold storage is envisaged at 64 lakh MT by 2017. A
cold storage capacity of about 4.36 Lakh MT has been created from 2012-13 to
2014-15. Till now in the financial year 2015-16 very small cold storage capacity
of 0.28 MT has been created. Looking at the achievement, the target of 64 Lakh
MT seems too ambitious for period up to 2017. Looking at the current
achievement of the scheme, the cold storage is reduced to 52.34 Lakh MT by
2022.

The Cold storage capacity shall be created through traditional cold storages,
modern multi-chamber cold storage and cool chain and processing. Cold storage
capacity shall be created in the private sector. The Cold Storage Policy has been
formulated by the industry department and subsidy is being released as per the
same. Private Entrepreneurs shall be assisted for construction of cold storage and
cool chain.

The physical and financial target is given below:

Year Capacity Target Gob contribution1 Investor contribution Project cost

(Lakh MT) (In Rs Cr) (In Rs Cr) (In Rs Cr)
2015-16 (E) 2.552 204.12 816.49 1,020.61
2016-17 3.32 265.36 1,061.43 1,326.79
2017-18 4.64 371.50 1,486.01 1,857.51
2018-19 6.04 482.95 1,931.81 2,414.76
2019-20 7.85 627.84 2,511.35 3,139.19
2020-21 10.24 819.00 3,276.00 4,095.00
2021-22 13.34 1,066.80 4,267.20 5,334.00
Total 47.973 3837.57 15350.28 19187.85

1
It is assumed that a subsidy of Rs 80 Lakh is required for 1000 MT cold storage
2
Assumed 5% over the 2013-14 achievement
3
The target has been revised for the Cold Store as they are facing challenges due to poor availability of power, less
capacity utilization, high power tariff.
 62

11.5 Food Processing

11.5.1 Vision: 15 to 20 % agriculture produce gets wasted due to the lack of

infrastructure and processing facility in the state. It is envisioned to increase
processing capacity upto 30 % and to reduce wastage to 5% by 2022.This will
increase farmer’s income by 25% and about 12 lakh employment will be created.
The Commodity wise vision is detailed as below,
• Rice: Rice production is estimated at 126 lakh MT by 2022.The present rice
milling capacity is limited to 51.198 Lakh MT per annum (April 2015-16). There
is large demand for edible oil in the state. There are no rice husk based power
unit, whereas the power demand is increasing at the rate of 50% per annum.
Therefore following is proposed,

Production of 225 MW power through paddy husk based fuel

State to become self sufficient in edible oil production (rice bran oil)

Creation of 100.80 Lakh ton/Annum of total paddy milling capacity to be
created by 2022 (80% of the total production4)
• MAIZE – Presently Bihar produces 19 lakh MT of maize. By the year 2020 the
state will be producing 90 lakh MT (estimated 2020 data as per Agri Road Map).
The state of Bihar presently imports 80% of its poultry and fish from other states.
With more hatchery, milk production, and fish production units coming up, there
is a huge demand for in-house state production of maize based poultry/fish/cattle
units, along with the warehousing facilities. In the international market there is
already an increasing demand for corn oil and starch. Therefore it is proposed
that:

25 Corn processing units of 200 TPD each which includes like starch,
poultry/cattle/animal feed & snacks

6 Corn Oil Units of 200 TPD processing capacity

Creation of 20 Lakh Ton of maize warehouse capacity
• FRUIT & VEGETABLES – Fruit & Vegetable production is estimated to
increase to 80 and 226 lakh MT by 2022 from present level of 38 lakh MT and
4
Looking at the current climatic condition and stagnation in creation of irrigation facilities, it will be difficult to reach the
paddy production target of 126 Lakh MT by 2022. So to avoid the excess capacity creation, the processing capacity target
is taken as 80% of the expected production.
 63

136 lakh MT respectively. Out of the total vegetable production 60% consists of
potato. In modern cold stores along with potato about 10% of the fruits and other
perishable items are stored. To safeguard the interest of the farmers by reducing
the wastage from a whopping 30% to less than 5% and increasing the processing
infrastructures, the following targets are envisioned,

Increasing the processing to 20% of the total production.

Reducing the wastage below 5%.

Creating more than 2 RABCs in each block & 3 Mega Food Parks based
out of F & V.
• WHEAT – Wheat production is estimated to increase to 74 lakh MT by 2022
from present level of 49 lakh MT. 40% of the total wheat goes to other states for
manufacturing biscuits, bakery items, vermicelli and other flour items. To create
more job opportunities inside the state, the following are envisioned,

Setting up of 10 lakh MT per annum modern biscuit & bakery factories.

Another 50 units each of 300 & 500 TPD of suji, atta & maida based modern
flour mills.

To be self sufficient in supplying fortified atta to the population of Bihar.

• SUGARCANE – Presently Bihar produces 125 lakh MT of sugarcane. By the

year 2022 the state will be producing 250 lakh MT. To make the sugar mills more
viable, it should generate its bagasse based power plant. To make this happen, the
vision for the sugarcane sector will be:

Making 28 Sugar mills functional

Sugar recovery to be increased to more than 13%
11.6 Programmes: The state has prepared the food vision 2015.The food vision has
made 16 recommendations which are in different stages of implementation. The
scheme has been declared the most admired scheme by MoFPI, GoI in the history
of the food processing in India. The state government has approved two schemes
 64

for food processing industry and these are implemented since 5th December 2008.
Under the “Scheme for integrated development of food processing sector” grant
up to 40% of the project cost, subject to a maximum of Rs. 10 Crores in case of
common cluster infrastructure proposed by SPV and up to 35% of the project cost
subject to maximum Rs. 5 Crores in case of an individual investor. Similarly
under the Food Parks Scheme two food parks in fruits and vegetables cluster in
the State are proposed. The assistance provided by the state government is 30%
of the project cost subject to a max. of Rs. 50 Crores to the Special Purpose
Vehicle (SPV), registered as a corporate body with 51% equity of the private
entrepreneurs.

11.7 Financial requirement, Rs in crore

Private
Gob grant Total investment
Year investment
(In Rs Cr) (In Rs Cr)
(In Rs Cr)
2015-16 (E) 668 2672 3340
2016-17 735 2939 3674
2017-18 669 2676 3345
2018-19 736 2944 3680
2019-20 670 2680 3350
2020-21 737 2948 3685
2021-22 671 2684 3355
Total 4886 19543 24429

11.8 Agriculture Marketing

11.8.1 Agriculture Road Map envisages increase in production of food grains,
horticulture, milk, animal products, fisheries. Market for agricultural produce
shall be developed for assuring remunerative price to farmers and to increase
their income.

11.8.2 Agricultural Produce Market Committee Act was repealed in 2006.The

market yards of the dissolved marketing board and committees was
converted into Rent free markets. Agricultural produce can now be directly
purchased from farmers. Mandi Fee is not levied on these products.

11.8.3 As a result of the structural reforms in agricultural marketing the market

development would involve public, cooperative, private and joint sector
 65

participation. Government support will be extended for development of

market in cooperative, private and joint sector.

11.8.4 Agriculture market will be developed according to the nature of the

agricultural produce. Procurement will be strengthened for foodgrains like
paddy and wheat. Modern warehouses shall be set up in the market yards. As
per the provisions of the agricultural market committee land use policy,
government institutions will be provided with the land available in these
market yards for construction of godowns.

11.8.5 Farmers shall be organised for marketing of the perishable agricultural

produce viz. fruits and vegetables. Farmers groups will be tied up with the
aggregator and modern market service providers. Along the pattern of the
milk federation, a similar fruit and vegetable federation shall be constituted.

11.8.6 Integrated Value Chain shall be developed for development of modern

market for fruits and vegetables. Primary processing facility such as
cleaning, sorting and grading will be created at the village level and at the
farmers group level. Private entrepreneurs shall be assisted for setting up
cool chain.

11.8.7 Market shall be developed at different levels. At the village level, the rural
haats shall be modernised. Hub and Spoke based Terminal market and
Integrated Value Chain shall be developed. The commercial farming may be
regulated as and when it is required.

11.8.8 Private entrepreneurs shall be assisted for setting up modern markets. In

these markets basic marketing infrastructures such as cold storage, ripening
chamber, trading platform etc. shall be made mandatory for development.
Any entrepreneur desirous of setting up such infrastructure shall be eligible
for government assistance. These entrepreneurs shall be given assistance
limited to the provisions of food processing policy.

11.8.9 New full time positions shall be created in agriculture department for
development of agriculture market in the state.
 66

11.8.10 The financial target for market development is given below:

Financial requirement, Rs in crore

Expected cost
Year
(in Cr)

2015-16 570
2016-17 627
2017-18 690
2018-19 759
2019-20 835
2020-21 918
2021-22 1010
TOTAL 5408
 67

Chapter-12

INSTITUTIONAL CREDIT

12.1 Agriculture is the mainstay of state economy. Investment in agriculture as a

direct bearing on farmer's income. Modern agriculture is input intensive. In order
to adopt the modern agricultural practices both capital and revenue investment is
required. Commercial banks, Regional rural banks and Cooperative banks are the
main institutional systems for credit availibility in agriculture. In adequate
institutional credit to farmers has been an issue hampring the pace of agriculture
development. There are about 40 lakh Kisan Credit Card of which more than 50
percent is inoperative, which is a major cause of concern. Therefore to improved
the credit linkage following steps may be taken,
12.1.1 Financial Literacy: To make aware the largely uneducated manpower
engaged in this sector regarding advantages of banking services and how to
properly avail these services for their benefit with ease and convenience.
12.1.2 Bank Account Opening: Until & unless the bank account is opened in the
name of beneficiary, the banking services can not be availed. Under
PMJDY, more than 81 lakhs of new accounts have been opened during
14th August 2014 to 26th January 2015 due to arduous efforts from the
bankers in the state, but where the population in state crossing 11 crores
mark, there seems to be a long way still to go in this regard.
12.1.3 Access to Banking Services: Mere opening of accounts would not serve
the purpose if the easy access to banking services is not available. To
efficiently provide this, bank branches need to be there in near vicinity, else
the poor farmers would find it hard to walk miles and miles to reach a bank
branch. Majority of panchayats do not have regular Brick& Mortar or Ultra
Small Branch. Same is true for villages having population more than 5000
and 10000 as per census 2001. In the state the average population per bank
branch is nearly 18000 as against national average of around 11000. so,
there is a yawning gap. However, banking services in rural areas are mostly
being provided through Banking Correspondents with weekly visits and in
some cases with a little bit lesser intervals. This mechanism has its own
 68

limitations. So, sufficient number of regular bank branches direly required

to be opened in rural areas.
12.1.4 Rural ATMs: Farmers are being provided KCC with Rupay card and now
the new accounts are being opened with ATM/Debit cards. If the sufficient
number of ATMs are not installed in rural areas, the account holders in
those localities will not be able to make use of these cards. its desirable that
all villages with population more than 5000 as per census should have
ATM. Again in all the panchayats block headquarters and other rural
market places should have ATMs installed.
12.1.5 Kisan Credit Card (KCC): KCC is the major taker of credit in
agriculture sector, but in Bihar, the land holding being small, fragmented
and in the name of ancestors, the issue of LPC becomes a big issue. This is
further marred with another reality that the actual tiller of land in most
cases are not necessarily the land owner. This makes issuance of LPC
further difficult. This problem can be overcome by issuing "Loan
Eligibility Certificate" to the actual tiller for getting KCC.
12.1.6 Crop Insurance: The process needs to be farmer centric with simplified
procedures and claim disbursal mechanism transparent, easy and
convenient.
12.1.7 Self Help Groups (SHG): There are nearly 4 lakh SHGs registered in the
state and this figure is intended to be doubled in a couple of years. Their
credit linkages for 1st and 2nd instalments need to be doubled from
existing Rs. 50,000 and Rs. 1,00,000 respectively.
12.1.8 Restructuring of Agriculture Loan: Proper care and consideration needs
to restructure Short Term agriculture loan to Medium Term agriculture loan
in case of natural calamities and other unforeseen disastrous events.
12.1.9 Ease in Financing: At times poor farmers have to run pillar to post to
secure credits from banks. Its desirable that banks should not unnecessarily
harass them. Poor farmers need proper facilitation and dealt with human
face without diluting the procedural paraphernalia.
 69

Chapter:13

Disaster Management
13.1 Bihar is prone to multiple natural hazards. It is affected by flood, drought,
earthquake, cyclone, hailstorm, fire etc. Flood and drought are recurrent
problem.28 districts, which are mostly in north Bihar are food prone and 17
districts of south Bihar are considered drought prone. Flood, drought, cyclone and
hailstorm damage crops and consequently crop production is affected. Flood,
drought, cyclone and hailstorm damage standing crops whereas due to drought
not only the standing crop is affected but crop coverage is reduced due to lack of
moisture. Therefore large cultivable area remains barren. Fire, which is mostly
accidental affects standing crops and the crops on the threshing floor.The affected
farmers get input subsidy as par the provisions of Calamity Relief Fund(At
present State Calamity Response Fund).The input subsidy is provided in cases
when loss is more than 30 percent of the standing crop. However, farmers get no
support for the area remaining fallow or uncovered.
13.2 To protect agriculture from these calamities there need to be long term and short
term measures. There has been paradigm shift in disaster management.Now
disaster management is not only relief but in broader perspective it involves
preparation, mitigation, response, relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction.The
disaster management perspective of agriculture sector would entail
preparation,mitigation,response and relief. The following measures would be
initiated to mitigate the impact of damage caused due to food and drought,
 Flood hazard maps for flood prone districts and contingent crop planning for
mitigating the impact of flood and creating awareness among farmers about
the same.
 Contigent crop plan and creating awareness about the same in drought prone
districts.
 Deputation of agriculture scientist for timely advisories in case calamities like
drought and flood.
 Administrative measures to ensure canal water upto the tail end of irrigation
canal.
 Measures for implementation of crop insurance,timely repayment of
indemnity claims from insurance companies.
 Since the input subsidy is very small, matching grant will be provided from
state plan.
 70

 Drought resistant varieties will be promoted in drought prone districts and

submergence tolerant varieties in flood prone districts.
 Bihar Rajya Beej Nigam will set up a seed bank in which short duration
varieties of rice and other suitable crops will be kept so that it could be
utilized in case of need.
 Input subsidy is a major strategic intervention in case of crop damage due to
disasters. Diesel subsidy has also been implemented in case of drought like
situation. Financial requirement for such interventions would be as below, Rs
in crore
Expected cost
Year
(in Cr)
822
2015-16
904
2016-17
995
2017-18
1094
2018-19
1203
2019-20
1324
2020-21
1456
2021-22
10644
TOTAL
 71

14. Physical Milestones to be achieved,

SI Critical
No Item Description Unit Milestone
(2022)
.
1 2 3 4 5
Rice lakh MT 126
Wheat lakh MT 72
Maize and coarse
lakh MT 90.65
Cereals
Pulses lakh MT 36
Food Grains lakh MT 324.65
Oilseed lakh MT 4.5
Fruits lakh MT 80
1 Crop Production Vegetables lakh MT 225
Certified Seed
Lakh Q 3.97
Availability (Paddy)
Certified Seed
Lakh Q 12.78
Availability (Wheat)
Certified Seed
Lakh Q 2.68
Availability (Pulse)
Certified Seed
Lakh Q 0.13
Availability (Oilseed)
Milk thousand tonnes 14867
Animal Husbandary Egg No. (lakh) 234000
2
Dairy and Fisheries Meat thousand tonnes 1423.5
Fish lakh MT 10.25
Required gross irrigated
lakh ha 130.9
area
3 Water resources
Required irrigation
% 209
intensity
Projected total power
4 Energy MW 3852
requirement
5 Plantation and Green coverage No. of Plants No. (lakh) 3437
Green cover % 15
Storage, Marketing &
6 Storage capacity lakh MT 85
Processing
7 Approach road New Road Km 49107
Rice/Wheat/Maize/Pulse
8 Procurement of foodgrains
s
Lakh MT 60
 72

15. Summary of financial requirement from 2015-16 to 2021-22

(Rs in crore)

Item Outlay(Rs in crore)

CROP PRODUCTION
25931
ANIMAL HUSBANDRY
7587
WATER RESOURCES
110677
ENERGY
9660
LAND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
1499
PLANTATION & GREEN COVERAGE
3320
APPROACH ROAD
51266
COOPERATIVES
6192
STORAGE
7305
COLD STORAGE
19188
PROCESSING
24429
MARKETING
5408
DISASTER MANAGEMENT 10644
Total 283106