Department of Agricultural Economics, Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur—848125, Bihar
The agricultural development in Bihar has been examined in the contest of (i) performance of agriculture during the period 1970–75 to 1995–2000, (ii) potential generated and constraints inhabiting the agricultural development, and (iii) strategy to be adopted for agricultural development. The performance of agriculture in Bihar has been discussed under availability and land-use intensity, cropping pattern, irrigation facility, area under HYVs, and average and potential yields of principal crops. Major constraints have been identified with respect to production of rice, wheat, maize, potato, jute, sugarcane, pulses and oilseeds; these include land tenure system, credit availability, irrigation and water management, labour migration and eco-system. A comparison of average yield of principal crops with their potential yield has revealed a wide gap, indicating an opportunity to increase yield and profitability of these crops in Bihar. Some strategies have been also suggested for agricultural development in Bihar.
