Agriculture in Bihar | BPSC Preparation: All subjects - BPSC (Bihar) PDF Download

Agriculture in Bihar

• Workforce Dependence: A significant 74% of Bihar's workforce relies on agriculture and related activities for their livelihood.
• Agro-Productivity Potential: The Gangetic plains, with their rich natural resources, offer great potential for high agricultural productivity.
• Economic Contribution: As of the Economic Survey Report 2018-19, the agricultural sector contributes approximately 20% to Bihar's State Gross Domestic Product (SGDP).
• Landholdings: Bihar has around 1.61 crore landholdings, with an average size of 0.39 hectare per holding.
• Food Grain Production: The state produces about 6.6% of India's food grains, despite agricultural practices being carried out on less than 60% of the available land.

Districts with High Net Sown Area

• Buxar: 86.8% net sown area
• Nalanda: 77.1% net sown area
• Madhepura: 74.4% net sown area
• Bhojpur: 72.4% net sown area
• Siwan: 73% net sown area
• Muzaffarpur: 72% net sown area
• Gopalganj: 71.2% net sown area

Districts with Low Net Sown Area

• Patna: 49.9% net sown area
• Nawada: 47.2% net sown area
• Araria: 44.7% net sown area
• Jehanabad: 44.6% net sown area
• Kaimur: 42.6% net sown area
• Banka: 37.5% net sown area
• Gaya: 37.4% net sown area
• Lakhisarai: 34.4% net sown area
• Munger: 32.4% net sown area
• Jamui: 27.4% net sown area

Historical Land Reforms in Bihar

• Land Reforms Act: Implemented in 1950 to address land distribution issues.
• Bhoodan Yagna Act: Introduced in 1954 to promote voluntary land donation.
• Consolidation of Holding and Prevention of Fragmentation Act: Enacted in 1956 to prevent the fragmentation of agricultural land.
• Ceiling and Acquisition of Surplus Land Act: Passed in 1961 to set landholding ceilings and acquire surplus land.
• Tenancy Laws Amendment: The Bihar Tenancy Laws (Amendment) Act was implemented in 1963 to regulate tenancy agreements.

Overview of Bihar

• Bihar is located in the eastern part of India, bordered by Nepal to the north, West Bengal to the east, Jharkhand to the south, and Uttar Pradesh to the west.
• The state is known for its rich cultural heritage, historical significance, and diverse geography, which includes the fertile plains of the Ganges River, hills in the south, and rivers like the Ganges, Kosi, and Gandak.
• Agriculture is the primary occupation, with major crops including rice, wheat, sugarcane, and pulses. Bihar is also known for its handloom and handicraft industries, producing items like silk, brassware, and wooden crafts.
• The state has made significant progress in education and healthcare in recent years, although it still faces challenges such as poverty and infrastructure development.
• Festivals like Chhath Puja, Diwali, and Holi are celebrated with great enthusiasm, reflecting the state's rich cultural traditions.

Location

• Bihar is located in the eastern part of India.
• It is bordered by the country of Nepal to the north and by the Indian states of West Bengal to the east, Jharkhand to the south, and Uttar Pradesh to the west.
• The Ganges River flows through the state from west to east.

Climate

• Bihar experiences a tropical monsoon climate, characterized by hot summers, a rainy season, and mild winters.
• The summer months (April to June) can be quite hot, with temperatures often exceeding 40°C (104°F). The monsoon season (July to September) brings heavy rainfall, while winter (October to March) is cooler, with temperatures ranging from 5°C to 20°C (41°F to 68°F).

Geography

• The state is predominantly flat, part of the Gangetic Plain, which is one of the most fertile regions in the world.
• The northern part of Bihar is characterized by the Terai region, with its rich alluvial soil, while the southern part has some hilly areas, particularly in the districts bordering Jharkhand.
• Major rivers, including the Ganges, Gandak, Kosi, and Son, play a crucial role in agriculture and irrigation.

Economy

• The economy of Bihar is primarily agrarian, with a significant portion of the population engaged in farming. Major crops include rice, wheat, sugarcane, pulses, and oilseeds.
• In recent years, there has been a push towards industrialization, with the development of small-scale industries and handloom sectors. Bihar is known for its silk production, particularly in the Bhagalpur district, and handicrafts such as brassware and wooden crafts.
• Remittances from Bihari migrants working in other parts of India and abroad also contribute significantly to the state’s economy.

Culture

• Bihar has a rich cultural heritage, with influences from various dynasties and empires that ruled the region, including the Maurya and Gupta empires.
• The state is known for its festivals, traditional music, dance, and cuisine. Festivals like Chhath Puja, Durga Puja, and Diwali are celebrated with great fervor.
• Traditional Bihari cuisine includes dishes like Litti Chokha, Sattu Paratha, and various types of sweets made from khoya and jaggery.

Historical Significance

• Bihar is historically significant as the birthplace of Buddhism and Jainism. Important sites include Bodh Gaya, where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment, and Nalanda, home to one of the oldest universities in the world.
• The state has numerous archaeological sites, temples, and monuments that reflect its rich history and cultural diversity.

Challenges

• Despite progress, Bihar faces challenges such as poverty, unemployment, and inadequate infrastructure.
• The government has been working on improving roads, healthcare, education, and electricity supply to enhance the quality of life for its residents and stimulate economic growth.

Physical Features of Bihar

Bihar, located in the eastern part of India, is characterized by a diverse range of physical features, including plains, rivers, and a small hill region. Here’s an overview of the physical features of Bihar:

Plains

• Bihar is predominantly made up of flat and fertile plains, part of the Gangetic Plain, which is one of the most fertile regions in the world.
• The plains are formed by the alluvial deposits brought by the numerous rivers flowing through the state, making it ideal for agriculture.

Rivers

• The state is crisscrossed by several major rivers, including the Ganges, Gandak, Kosi, and Son, which play a crucial role in agriculture, irrigation, and transportation.
• The Ganges River is the most significant, flowing from west to east and forming the southern boundary of the state.
• The rivers are prone to flooding, especially during the monsoon season, but they also replenish the soil with nutrients, supporting the agricultural economy.

Hill Region

• The southern part of Bihar has a small hilly region, particularly in the districts bordering Jharkhand.
• These hills are part of the Chotanagpur Plateau and are characterized by rolling hills and rocky outcrops.
• This region is less densely populated and has a different ecological zone compared to the plains, with forests and mineral resources.

Climate and Soil

• The climate is tropical monsoon, with hot summers, a rainy season, and mild winters.
• The soil in the plains is predominantly alluvial, rich in nutrients, making it suitable for various crops.
• In the hilly areas, the soil is generally lateritic and less fertile, but these regions have forests and wildlife.

Natural Resources

• The state is rich in natural resources, including fertile land, forests in the hilly areas, and mineral resources like coal and iron ore in the southern region.
• Overall, the physical features of Bihar, with its fertile plains, abundant water resources, and a small hilly region, contribute significantly to its economy, primarily based on agriculture and allied activities. The diverse topography also supports various forms of livelihood and natural ecosystems.

Land Use Pattern in Bihar

The land use pattern in Bihar as of 2016-17 is as follows:

Agro Climatic Zones of Bihar

The agro-climatic zones in Bihar are categorized based on soil characteristics, geographical features, rainfall, and temperature. There are three main zones:

North-West Alluvial Plain

Geography and Soil

• Extends from the Terai region of the Himalayas to the Plains of the Ganges.
• Characterized by medium acidic, heavy-textured soils ranging from sandy loam to clayey loam.
• The region is prone to flooding.

Climate

• Receives an average rainfall of about 1,235 mm.
• About 42% of the land is under irrigation.

Major Crops

• Rice, Wheat, Maize, Potato, Sugarcane, Mango, Litchi.

Districts Covered

• West Champaran, East Champaran, Siwan, Saran, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Samastipur, Gopalganj, Begusarai.

North-East Alluvial Plain

Geography and Soil

• Located in the North-East plains of Bihar.
• Soils are sandy to silty loam, light to medium textured, and slightly acidic.

Climate

• Receives average rainfall of about 1,382 mm.
• Approximately 44% of the land is under irrigation.

Major Crops

• Maize, Jute, Pineapple.

Districts Covered

• Purnea, Katihar, Saharsa, Supaul, Madhepura, Khagaria, Araria, Kishanganj.

South Bihar Alluvial Plain

Geography and Soil

• Located in the Southern Plains of Bihar.
• Soils vary from alluvial to sandy loam, clayey loam, and clay.

Climate

• Receives average annual rainfall of about

Agricultural Regions in Bihar

• One Crop Regions: These areas are suitable for growing only one type of crop, which is rice. An example of a district in this region is Madhubani.
• Two Crops Regions: In these regions, two crops are commonly grown together, such as rice with maize, wheat, or jute. Purnea district is an example of this type of region.
• Three Crops Regions: These areas support the cultivation of three different crops, with rice being a staple. Examples of crops in this region include jute, khesari, and wheat.
• Four Crops Regions: In these regions, four different crops are grown together, with rice being the primary crop. For instance, in Bhagalpur district, rice is grown alongside wheat, maize, and khesari.