Agricultural Scenario and Strategies for Development: The Case of Bihar

Abstract

Agriculture is at the core of Bihar’s economy, employing 77 % of the workforce and generating 35 % of the state domestic product. With 88 % of the state’s poor living in rural areas, improving agricultural performance and related rural non-farm activity is critical for improving livelihoods and reducing poverty. Major crops grown in Bihar are rice, wheat, maize, gram, red gram, sugarcane, potato & other vegetables. However, the agricultural sector in Bihar is plagued with numerous, and well known, constraints and problems. The present paper discusses the issues plaguing the agricultural sector in Bihar state, India and talks about the possible strategic interventions to make the best use of available resources adopting a multi-pronged strategy of development. It also talks about the area specific problems and suggests ways and means to tackle them.