[67th BPSC] Bihar: Agriculture and Allied sector-II

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Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Dairy Sector

  • Animal husbandry and fisheries form an important part of Bihars rural economy because of the benefit it brings to livelihood, food security and income of the rural population. In fact, livestock and fisheries are the fastest growing sub-sectors within the primary sector, growing at a rate of 10 percent and 7 percent, respectively.
  • Also, their share in agricultural GSVA has been averaging around 30 per Cent and 8 percent, respectively during the last five years (2016-17 to 2020-21).
  • Given the climatic vagaries and limited availability of land resources in the State, animal husbandry and fisheries provide a risk reduction strategy for income of rural households, especially for small and marginal farmers.
  • In recent years, the demand for the production of fisheries and meat products is increasing because of changes in dietary and consumption habits of the people.
  • Production of Livestock, Fisheries, and Dairy Products
    • A substantial increase in production of eggs is evident from its growth rate of 32.4 percent during 2016-17 to 2020-21. In 2020-21, egg production at 301.32 crores in Bihar.
    • Meat output in the state climbed from 3.26 lakh tonnes in 2016-17 to 3.85 lakh tonnes in 2020-21, indicating an annual growth rate of 4.5 percent.
    • The State Government is presently focusing on increasing the capacity for milk production, through specific programmes like artificial insemination of breedable animals, immunization for prevention of infection, and providing balanced animal feed.
  • Livestock Wealth
    • Table 3.14 presents the details of different species of animal population as per the last three Livestock Census.
    • The latest Livestock Census of 2019 reveals that the total livestock population in Blhar has increased from 301.7 lakh in 2007 to 365.4 lakh in 2019, registering a growth rate of 21 percent.
    • The cattle population accounted for nearly 42.1 percent (154.01 lakh) of the total livestock population, followed by goat at 35.1 percent (128.2 lakh) and buffaloes at 2.1 percent (7.72 lakh).
    • In case of poultry, the population registered an increase from 114.2 lakh in 2007 to 165.3 lakh in 2019.
  • Livestock Services
    • Adequate animal health services for disease control and treatment can go a long way in achieving higher productivity of livestock sector.
    • In 2020-21 , around 40.24 lakh animals were treated and about 49.96 lakh animals were immunized in Bihar.
    • The coverage of artificial insemination stood at 36.29 lakh animals In 2020-21.
    • The immunization of animals was the highest in the districts of East Champaran (3.31 lakh), West Champaran (2.62 lakh), and Muzaffarpur (2.62 lakh) in 2020-21.
      • The number of animals treated was the highest in Gaya (2.24 lakh), Patna (2.2 lakh), and Samastipur (1.98 lakh) in 2020-21.
    • To reduce the mortality among livestock animals, the State Government is investing in improving veterinary services and making provisions for vaccination against highly infectious diseases.
      • As part of the interventions to make technology accessible to women and marginalised farmers, animal health services are being provided through the ‘Pushu Sakhi’ delivery mode.
      • The 2011 Bihar Animal Breeding Policy prioritizes animal breed development to increase milk output in the state.
      • Recently, the Bihar Livestock Master Plan (2018-19 to 2022-23) has been developed to achieve higher quality animal and livestock products by increasing investments in input supply, technology, value addition, and marketing.
      • This will also lead to higher employment and income for rural households in the state. For the next four years (2021-22 to 2024-25), a sum of Rs. 56.00 crore will be spent towards setting up of 7000 milk cooperative societies across all the villages of the state.
    • The State Government has earmarked subsidies for the establishment of different capacities of goat breading farms, broiler farms, and Layer Farms with feed meal.
  • Dairy Sector
    • Dairy farming is a key sector in Bihar because of its potential for livelihood, particularly for small and marginal farmers.
    • Dairy cooperatives have emerged as key players In Bihar’s milk production, processing, and distribution.
    • During 2016-17 to 2020-21, Bihar’s milk output increased from 87.10 lakh tonnes in 2016-17 to 115.01 lakh tonnes in 2020-21, registering an annual growth rate of 7.1 percent.
    • The major sources of milk production in the State are cows (62.6 percent of the total milk production), followed by buffaloes (35.2 percent) and goat (2.2 percent).
      • The districts of Samastipur, Begusarai and Patna together contributed to 18.2 percent or the total milk production cows.
      • The major source of buffalo milk is — Madhubani, Sitamarhi and East Champaran, which together contributed to 16.1percent of the milk production in 2020-21.
    • Under the state scheme of Samagra Gavya Vikas Yojana, a total of Rs. 73.45 crore has been approved in 2020-21 to provide subsidy for the establishment of dairy units of 2 and 4 milch cattle towards creation of self-employment and limiting the expenditure against the sanctioned amount to Rs. 50.00 crore among farmers/ livestock farmers/ unemployed youths of all classes of the state.
    • The dairy development initiatives are implemented by the Directorate of Dairy Development and COMFED.
    • In recent years, Bihar has registered a significant increase in dairy farming, as evident from the steady increase in milk production. The State Government is planning to set up milk booths in all uncovered blocks and municipal areas, for which a total amount of Rs. 30.10 crore has been allotted.
  • Poultry
    • The performance of poultry Sector in the State has been commendable. The total egg production increased from 111.17 crores in 2016-17 to 301.32 crores in 2020-21, registering a growth rate of 32.4 percent.
    • Subsidies are being offered for large-scale distribution of poultry birds, as well as establishment of 5000/10,000 capacity layer poultry farms and 3000 capacity of Broiler poultry farms in the private Sector, to enhance the availability of poultry eggs and meat.
    • Support for growth of desi chickens and poultry species is also being provided by the State Government.
  • Fisheries
    • Fisheries are important for socio-economic development of the state for their role in generating employment opportunities and augmenting incomes for the rural poor. For a vast number of the slate’s landless labourers and land-poor farmers, fishing is a valuable source or income.
    • Fish production in the state steadily increased from 5.09 lakh tonnes in 2016-17 to 6.83 lakh tonnes in 2020-21, indicating a growth rate of 7.0 percent in last five years.
    • The leading districts in terms of production of fish are Madhubani (0.77 lakh tonnes), Darbhanga (0.64 lakh tonnes), and East Champaran (0.63 lakh tonnes), together contributing to 29.9 percent of the total fish production in the state during 2020-21.
    • Farmers are receiving input subsidies for the procurement of fish feed in order to boost fish output in the state.
  • Promotional Schemes of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Fisheries
    • Chief Minister Integrated Chaur Development Scheme (Proposed scheme for 2021-22 and 2022-23) :
      • The main objective of the scheme is to develop all available ‘chaur’ areas in the state into fisheries-based integrated aquaculture system.
      • The ‘chaur’ lands will developed through construction of ponds for fish production, along with integration of agriculture, horticulture, and agro-forestry.
      • With the inclusion of modern technology, the fish farmers will be provided with new opportunities which can generate more employment opportunities and increase income.
    • River Ranching Programme : The main objectives of the scheme are as follows:
      • (i) Collection of fish breeder from identified rivers and artificial breeding of collected breeders through modern technology.
      • (ii) Development of artificially breeded spawn into fry and fry into fingerling.
      • (iii) Stocking of fish fingerlings into identified rivers through river ranching programme.
      • (iv) Restoration of pure germplasm in the rivers of the state.
    • Prime Minister Matsya Sampada Yojna:
      • For the Prime Minister’s Matsya Sampada Yojana, a total sum of Rs 40.76 crore has been approved for 2021-22. The Central share for this scheme is Rs. 24.46 crore, and the State share is Rs. 16.30 crore.
      • Its main objectives are:
        • (i) Harnessing the potential of fisheries in a sustainable, responsible, inclusive and equitable manner.
        • (ii) Increase in production and productivity of fish by expansion of water resources, and diversification.
        • (iii) Modernization and strengthening of value chain, through investment in post-Harvest management and quality improvement.
        • (iv) Doubling the income and employment for fishermen and fish farmers.
    • Fish Crop Insurance Scheme:
      • Fish production and other fishery-related activities are risky as the various stages of fish production are subjected to natural calamities.
      • Therefore, the main objective of this scheme is to provide financial support to farmers in the event of a failure of fishing, as a result of natural calamities diseases, environmental imbalance, poisoning, pollution etc.
      • This scheme will provide insurance protection to the farmers, and involve financial institutions for funding in fisheries sector.

Agricultural Inputs

  • The productivity of agriculture depends not merely on the fertility of the soil, but on agricultural inputs as well. Such inputs include irrigation, seed, fertilisers, pesticides, credit and farm machinery.
  • Seed
    • Seed is the most critical input in the farming system. The availability of high-quality seeds is crucial for improving crop yields. Not only do they impact crop yields, quality seeds also play an important role in tolerating pest infestations.
    • The trends in Seed Replacement Rate (SRR) for major crops for both Kharif and Rabi season for the period 2018-19 to 2020-21.
      • image.png
    • In 2020-21 , the SRR for kharif paddy was 48.7 percent, which was lower than the prescribed rate of 50 percent.
    • The SRR for maize, paddy, and tur in kharif and wheat and maize in Rabi have significantly improved in 2020-21.
    • The State Government is keen to enhance the SRR of major crops, with a view to reach the food targets in the state. Through the Mukhya Mantri Tivra Beej Vistar Yojana, the State Government wants to promote nutrient-dense cultivars.
    • Additionally, numerous attempts are being made to encourage the use of certified seeds by providing farmers with subsidies. This will stimulate the production of new types of paddy and wheat.
    • Given that the production of pulses and oilseeds are less than their demand, there is a need to expand their production. In view of this, a special emphasis is being laid on increasing the seed replacement rate of pulses and oilseeds, as per the Agriculture Roadmap Ill (2017-22).
      • One of the main reasons for low production and productivity Of pulses and oilseeds is the low SRR, which is currently 11.1 percent for pulses and 53.8 percent for oilseeds.
    • With the implementation of the seed distribution programme of the State Government, SRR of pulses and oilseeds would be raised.
  • Fertilizer:
    • The productivity of different crops has recorded a steady increase in Bihar, thanks to the adoption of high-quality seeds and the application of chemical fertilizers.
    • The consumption of fertilizers has risen steadily over the years in Bihar:
      • image.png
      • Overall, the consumption of chemical fertilisers marginally increased from 201 kg per hectare in 2018-19 to 207.6 kg per hectare in 2020-21.
        • Among the different category of fertilizers, the consumption Of urea was the highest at 22.89 lakh tonnes.
        • The consumption of NPK increased from 17.32 lakh tonnes in 2018- 19 to 18.30 lakh tonnes in 2020-21.
    • There exists a wide variation in the consumption of fertilizers across the southern and northern districts of Bihar.
      • Purnea ranked the highest in consumption of NPK at 1.09 lakh tonnes and Sheohar ranked the lowest at 0.07 lakh tonnes.
      • In the case of urea, the consumption was the highest in Rohtas (1.14 lakh tonnes), followed by Purnea (1.11 lakh tonnes), and East Champaran (1.10 lakh tonnes), together accounting for nearly 14.7 percent of the total urea consumption in the state in 2020-21.
    • Special efforts are being taken by the State Government to promote greater use of manure and bio-fertilizers by the farmers to shift towards organic farming in the state.
  • Farm Machinery
    • In Bihar’s agriculture, mechanization plays an essential role, because of the benefits it brings in terms of operational efficiency and cost effectiveness.
    • The details of the number of farm implements through the subsidy scheme for three years 2018-19 to 2020-21:
      • image.png
    • Because of the pandemic, the number or farm implements bought through the subsidy scheme in Bihar was very limited. Only two types of implements were bought —pumpsets (4850) and threshers (235), totaling 5085 implements.
      • This was much lower than 24.3 thousand farm machinery in 2018-19 and 17.2 thousand farm machinery in 2019-20.
    • In 2020-21, out of the total pumpsets bought, the highest number was reported from Muzaffarpur (335), followed by Saran (333).
      • In the case of threshers, the highest number was bought in West Champaran (29).
    • Overall, the Agricultural Roadmap-III (2017-22) recognises that farm mechanization subsidies are a vital component in helping farmers to handle various agricultural chores like ploughing, Crop cutting, and threshing.
      • In this background, Agricultural Mechanisation Melas are being held across the state to provide farmers with financial assistance in purchasing high-quality agricultural implements and equipment.
    • The State Government has initiated a new initiative to provide subsidy to the extent of 80 percent on machinery that is used for crop residue management.
  • Power:
    • Energy is necessary to run machinery and equipment at various stages or agricultural activities, such as ploughing and harvesting, because of mechanization of agricultural operations.
    • The agricultural sector is estimated to have consumed 393.98 MU of energy in 2016-17, rising to 1243.72 MU in 2020-21, implying a compound growth rate of 216 percent.
    • In terms of the percentage of overall energy consumption, there has been a steady increase from 2.5 percent in 2016-17 to 5.1 percent in 2020-21.
    • The diesel-driven pumpsets as well as new pumpsets were given electric after creation of infrastructure under the ‘Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gram Jyoti Yojana‘ to help farmers to have assured irrigation facility.
  • Agricultural Credit
    • For carrying out agricultural operations, physical inputs like seed, water, fertilizer and agricultural implements are most important. But such modem agricultural inputs cannot be procured from market without adequate credit support.
    • To meet this credit need, formal credit from banks and co- operatives can go a long way in minimizing the costly borrowing from moneylenders, specially for small and marginal farmers.
    • Of all the credit facilities, it is the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) which is the most important credit facility for farmers in Bihar. The introduction of the KCC Scheme in 1998-99 has paved way for increasing credit access for farmers, through a single window system of any bank Scheduled Commercial Banks, Regional Rural Banks, State Co-operative Banks, Central Co-operative Banks, and Primary Agricultural Co-operative Societies.
    • In 2020-21 , this programme benefited 4.89 lakh farmers.
    • The targets of co-operative credit supply were comparatively higher in the districts of Begusarai, Nawada, and Khagaria during 2020-21.
      • It is remarkable to note that the Muzaffarpur Central Co-operative Bank was able to supply about 95.6 percent of the set target of Rs. 371.84 lakh.
      • In districts such as Kishanganj, Nawada and Katihar, the supply of Co-operative credit supply was more than 70 percent of the set targets in 2020-21.
    • Kisan Credit Card (KCC) to Vegetable Producers:
      • Under an initiative of the State Government called the Bihar State Vegetable Processing and Marketing Scheme, credit worth Rs. 130.33 lakh has been issued to 322 members through KCC.
      • These members belong to the Primary Vegetable Cooperative Societies by 9 District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCB), namely, Nalanda, Patliputra, Begusarai, Bettiah, Motihari, Muzaffarpur, Sitamarhi, Samastipur and Vaishali. The DCCB in Sitamarhi also covers the neighbouring district of Sheohar.
    • One-Time Settlement Scheme (OTS) : The One-time Settlement Scheme was implemented in Bihar State Co-operative Banks and in District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCB) from December 15, 2020 to April 30, 2021 for recovery of Non-Performing Assets (NPA). An amount of Rs. 84.92 crore has been recovered from about 23,316 defaulters during that brief period.
    • Bihar State Vegetable Processing and Marketing Scheme:
      • The State Government has an ambitious scheme known as the Bihar State Vegetable Processing and Marketing Scheme to establish a network for vegetable producers and consumers of the state.
      • It is being implemented through a system of three-tier cooperative structure which includes
        • The Primary Vegetable Cooperative Society (PVCS) at the block level;
        • Vegetable Processing and Marketing Union at a cluster level (group of districts); and
        • Vegetable Processing and Marketing Federation (VEGFED) at the state level.
      • This scheme envisages strengthening vegetable growers by offering remunerative prices, and insulate the consumers from sudden price spirals in the market.
      • Through the Department of Cooperatives, the State Government is committed to facilitate interventions in the areas of infrastructural, financial, institutional, technological, and human resource development for the vegetable producers.
      • The role of different tiers:
        • Primary Vegetable Cooperative Society (PVCS):
          • Their role is to engage in production, harvesting, planning, sorting, grading and selling.
          • Apart from this, creation of infrastructure like haats, mini cold storage units, lifting platforms; provision of credit and extension facilities, and arrangement of land are some of its other functions.
        • Vegetable Processing and Marketing Union:
          • The cluster-level Vegetable Processing and Marketing Unions will engage in procurement of produce from farmer members of the Primary Vegetable Cooperative Society for processing, value addition, and marketing.
          • The infrastructure created at this level shall consist of multi-chambered cold storage, Cold Atmospheric Chamber (CA), Modified Atmospheric Chamber (MA), Individual Quick- Freezing System (IQF), deep freezer, air cool sorting, grading, processing and packaging hall, fleet management, pre-cooling, ripening chamber, processing facility, etc.
          • The establishment of decentralised marketing centers and retail outlets for vegetable vending are other functions at this level.
          • The cluster-level society will also provide technical, institutional, input, and credit facilities to the primary cooperatives.
        • Vegetable Processing and Marketing Cooperative Federation:
          • At the apex level, this federation will implement the scheme at all levels, provide professional leadership, and strive for coordination among unions.
          • It will ensure integration of forward and backward linkages, establish market linkages at various levels and work for capacity building, human resource development and management of external environment.
        • The integration of working and management of the three-tier system through suitable software and hardware interventions will be done for smooth and organised working of the entire mechanism.
      • The progress of the Bihar State Vegetable Processing and Marketing Scheme in Bihar is given below:
        • In the first phase, five districts in Bihar namely, Patna, Nalanda, Vaishali, Samastipur, and Begusarai are included, wherein PVCS were constituted in all the 97 Blocks.
          • The Harit Vegetable Processing and Marketing Cooperative Union, Patna comprising Of PVCS of these districts was also constituted and this Union started working since March 2019.
          • Currently, 2 more districts such as Buxar and Bhojpur are added increasing the number of PVCS to 103.
        • In the second phase, 82 PVCS in East Champaran, West Champaran, Muzaffarpur, Sitamarhi, and Sheohar have been constituted.
          • The second union namely, the Tirhut Vegetable Processing and Marketing Cooperative Union, Motlhari comprising of PVCS in the district of East Champaran has also been constituted which has been working since March 27, 2020.
          • At present, 3 more districts such as Gopalganj, Siwan and Saran have been added, thereby increasing the number of PVCS to 106.
        • At the apex level, the Bihar State Vegetable Processing and Marketing Cooperative Federation (VEGFED) has also been constituted and working since 2020.
        • The third union, which is the Mithila Union, was formed on February 20, 2021 where five districts such as Madhubani, Supaul, Saharsa, Madhepura and Darbhanga were added.
        • The scheme has now expanded to 20 districts of Bihar where nearly a total or 251 PVCS have been registered.
        • The Bihar State Building Construction Corporation Limited has been made the nodal agency for construction of these works.
        • Till now, the membership of vegetable growers has reached nearly 17,300. In order to make the membership process more convenient and transparent, online membership facilities are being provided.
        • The turnover of vegetable sales of both the unions was Rs. 45.53 Crore as of October 10, 2021.
        • An Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is being developed in order to integrate the whole system and to make it transparent. This Scheme will be a milestone for the state.
  • Subsidy
    • Farm subsidies play an important role in encouraging farmers to use land resources more efficiently. The incentives provided to carry out agricultural operations range from fertiliser, electricity and diesel inputs, to machinery.
    • In 2020-21, the electricity subsidy worth Rs. 615.67 crore was distributed in Bihar.
    • The State Government is interested in providing connection to farmers under the ‘Mukhya Mantri Krishi Vidyut Sambandh Yojana‘ and supply power at a cheap rate. In Bihar, farmers will get full supply of power for their agricultural operations, ending their problems related to irrigation.
    • The total electricity subsidy in Bihar was Rs. 103.96 crore in 2017-18. In 2020-21, it has increased more than five times to reach a figure of RS. 615.67 crore.
    • Distribution of electricity subsidy (2017-18 to 2020-21):
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Storage and Warehouse

  • An adequate storage infrastructure to maintain adequate buffer stocks and minimize post-harvest losses is important not just for security, but for the welfare of the farmers as well.
  • The quality of foodgrains is affected by a variety of biotic and abiotic stressors, emphasising the necessity to invest in storage and warehousing facilities.
  • Agricultural storage facilities and warehouses are also important in agricultural marketing, because they ensure a continuous supply of agricultural goods during the off-season.
  • The Bihar State Warehousing Corporation (BSWC) has been providing godowns for storage of agricultural produce, seed, manure, and fertilizer since its inception in 1962. Subsequently, it was recognised as ‘State Storage Agency’ in 1996.
    • The total warehouse capacity in the state as of September 2021-22 was 5.8 lakh tonnes, with government-owned warehouses accounting for 5.19 lakh tonnes.
      • The annual utilization capacity was 4.87 lakh tonnes. In 2020-21, the utilization capacity of government owned warehouses was 77.8 perc.ent. The utilization rate of the hired warehouses was cent percent.
  • FCI, fertiliser businesses, dealers under Public Sector Undertakings, and Other private companies are the main users of BSWC.
    • Overall, FCI had the greatest proportion of occupancy, averaging roughly 75 percent during 2017-18 to 2020-21.
    • Next to FCI, traders had the highest occupancy rate, accounting for about 18 percent of overall storage use during the same period.
  • The State Government is working hard to expand storage and warehousing facilities in order to accommodate the growing demand for agricultural commodities.
    • Given that the state’s food processing development is dependent on the quality of storage and packaging, in addition to production, the State Government is investing in the establishment of Common Facility Centers with the help of COMFED and a few private enterprises.
    • Almost 3 cold storages and 5 dry warehouses have been built under the Scheme for Integrated Development of Food Processing.
    • In addition, the Bihar State Seed Corporation (BSSC) is constructing a facility to maintain seed quality by balancing humidity in its warehouses.
    • The State Government is partnering with commercial entities by giving incentives to boost foodgrain storage capacity and thereby minimise losses.
  • Procurement of Foodgrain
    • The main objective of the procurement of foodgrains by the State Government is providing the benefit of Minimum Support Price (MSP) to the farmers and ensuring food security for the consumers by maintaining buffer stocks.
    • The State Government and other agencies purchase foodgrains through the Food Corporation of India’s (FCI) nodal centralised agency. As a result, the FCI maintains vast foodgrain supplies through a network of storage silos and depots in partnership with the Bihar State Warehousing Corporation (BSWC) and other agencies.
    • In 2020-21, the State Government had set up a target for procurement of 4500 thousand tonnes of rice during the kharif marketing season, out of which a total of 3559 thousand tonnes was procured.
    • Out of the target of 700 thousand tonnes set for wheat procurement, by the end of m-RMS 2021-22, the State Government procured 3.71 thousand tonnes.
    • Efforts are being taken by the State Government to construct godowns and create adequate storage capacity for carrying out the procurement operations.

Irrigation

  • Assured and timely availability of water for crop cultivation, in the drought-prone areas in Bihar, is of great significance.
    • Not only does irrigation increase productivity, it also helps in use of technology, certified seeds, and machinery for agricultural operations.
  • Given that the rainfall in the state peaks during monsoon, and some of the districts do not receive adequate rainfall, strengthening irrigation infrastructure is crucial to achieve stability in agricultural production.
  • Public Expenditure in Irrigation:
    • Over the last five years, the support of the State Government for irrigation has been commendable. As of 2020-21 , the total expenditure for irrigation development increased to Rs. 2114.87 crore, from Rs. 986.58 crore in 2016-17.
    • Much of the expenditure on irrigation is capital expenditure, which for 89.2 percent of the total expenditure, while the share of revenue expenditure stood at 10.8 percent in 2020-21.
      • The investment in creation of assets for irrigation infrastructure has been a priority for the State Government.
  • Overall, the Gross Irrigated Area has marginally increased from 52.47 lakh hectares in 2015-16 to 54.35 lakh hectares in 2019-20.
    • Among the different sources, tubewells are the major source, irrigating nearly 63.9 percent of the total Gross irrigated Area, followed by canal water (30.6 percent).
  • The Gross Irrigated Area was the highest in Rohtas (3.72 lakh hectares), while the lowest was in Sheohar (0.26 lakh hectares).
    • Interestingly, Rohtas district had the highest share in area under canal irrigation at 2.80 lakh hectares, followed by West Champaran (1.85 lakh hectares) and Aurangabad (1.44 lakh hectares), together accounting for nearly 36.6 percent of the total canal irrigation in the state.
  • The district of Samastipur (2.28 lakh hectares) was well-equipped with tubewell irrigation during 2019-20, followed by Sitamarhi (1.90 lakh hectares) and Katihar (1.83 lakh hectares).
    • Therefore, canal and tubewells provide bulk of the irrigated water for agricultural activities in the state.
  • Source-wise Gross irrigated area in Bihar (2015-16 to 2019-2020):
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  • Irrigation Potential
    • Since the agrarian economy of Bihar is predominantly rainfed, changes in rainfall patterns can have a direct impact on crop cultivation, particularly for Kharif crops.
      • Further, rainfall is not evenly distributed across Bihar’s northern and southern plains.
      • As a result, the State Government is continuously working to improve water availability, particularly in drought-affected areas of Bihar, to support agriculture throughout the year. To achieve this goal, it is necessary for the State Government to have an idea about the total irrigation potential in the state.
      • In total, the ultimate irrigation potential in Bihar stood at 117.54 lakh hectares.
      • In 2020-21, the irrigation potential created by major and medium irrigation projects stood at 37.15 lakh hectares, which is 69.4 percent of the ultimate potential.
        • Irrigation Potential Created (IPC) is the total gross area proposed to be irrigated under different crops during a year by a scheme. The area proposed to be irrigated under more than one crop during the same year is counted as many times as the number of crops grown and irrigated.
      • The utilized irrigation potential stood at only 28.02 lakh hectares, which is 75.4 percent of the created potential.
        • Irrigation Potential Utilised (IPU) is the gross area actually irrigated during reference year out of the gross proposed area to be irrigated by the scheme during the year.
      • For minor irrigation, created potential as 44.76 lakh hectares, which is 69.9 % of ultimate potential (64.01 lakh hectares).
        • Note:
          • Cultivable Command Area (CCA): The area which can be irrigated from a scheme and is fit for cultivation.
          • Minor Irrigation Scheme: A scheme having CCA up to 2,000 hectares individually is classified as minor irrigation scheme.
          • Medium Irrigation Scheme: A scheme having CCA more than 2,000 hectares and up to 10,000 hectares individually is a medium irrigation scheme.
          • Major Irrigation Scheme: A scheme having CCA more than 10,000 hectares is major irrigation scheme.
    • Presently, steps are being taken to minimize the gap between the created and the utilised irrigation potential, through a number of programmes.
      • During 2020-21 , the various initiatives undertaken to create the irrigation potential. In 2020-21, the total irrigation potential created under the Major and Medium Irrigation schemes was 25.99 lakh hectares.
      • The efficient utilization of created irrigation potential helps in reaping the benefits of investment in irrigation.
      • Irrigation Potential Created under Major and Medium irrigation Scheme (2020-21):
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    • The utilization efficiency is the ratio of actual irrigation and created irrigation potential.
      • The overall water use efficiency under Major and Medium Irrigation Schemes in 2020-21 was 75.4 percent.
      • Among the three agricultural seasons, the achievement in water level efficiency was the highest during the Kharif season (97.1 percent), followed by the rabi season (94.9 percent) in 2020-21.
    • In 2020-21, a total of 1.18 lakh hectares of land was irrigated through minor irrigation schemes, Tanks (including Ahars and pynes) watered about 77.5 percent of the total irrigated area under minor irrigation projects, followed by tubewells (22.4 percent) which included both state and private tubewells.
      • It is worth noting that the amount of land irrigated by smaller irrigation sources, such surface canals and lift irrigation, has decreasing over the years.
      • Area brought under Irrigation through Minor Sources in Bihar (2016-17 to 2020-21):
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    • The farmers have been encouraged by the State Government to adopt participatory irrigation systems, particularly for water distribution.
      • Through participatory irrigation management, the water efficiency would be enhanced, and water distribution equality would be achieved.
      • In Bihar, there are presently 622 farmer societies, either registered or in the process of registration, including 64 societies managing the irrigation system.
    • Currently, the State Government is implementing an ‘Integrated Water Management System,’ which aims to provide water in drought prone areas, promote groundwater recharging, and ensure soil conservation.

Jal,Jeevan Hariyali Scheme

  • Due to the rapid changes in the climate, the state is facing water crisis, a consequence of insufficient and scanty rainfall, and the gradual decrease in the groundwater level. In order to meet this challenge, the State Government has decided to implement ‘Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali’ scheme in a mission mode.
  • Under the ‘Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali’ campaign, various schemes are being implemented for restoration of traditional water sources, construction of new water sources, and development of water harvesting and storage structures.
  • The following works are being done by the Department under the ‘Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali ‘ campaign:
    • To point out encroachments and restoration of public water harvesting structures in ahar pynes of one acre or more and in ponds/water bodies in 5 acres of more.
    • Construction of check dams and water harvesting structures in small rivers and streams and in the catchment areas of hilly region.
    • Places are being marked for construction of water bodies in the plateau areas of the state excluding forest area and in the foothills to make Garland Trenches on all sides in the state.
    • Under the Jal-Jeevan-l-lariyali Abhiyan, 1663 schemes have been approved, of which 1355 schemes have been completed.
      • A total irrigation potential of 1.21 lakh hectares of land has been created, along with water harvesting capacity of 669.93 lakh cubic meters from the completed schemes.
    • As a result of this campaign, a marginal increase in the groundwater level has been observed in nearly all the blocks of the state.
      • In the data released by the Central Groundwater Board in 2017, the depletion of groundwater level was seen in 102 blocks, whereas in 2020, the depletion of groundwater level was seen in only 63 blocks.

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