chapter v cropping pattern, crop diversification and value addition

The main thrust of policy should be to increase the productivity of the principal crops ofBihar. Except for a few crops such as maize and pulses, the yield per hectare of theprincipal crops in Bihar is way below that which is achievable (see Table 5.4). Evencompared to yields in other important states producing the same crops, the yields arelower in Bihar. There is, therefore, a definite target to meet, that of bringing yields to thelevel of the principal producing states and then reaching the full potential. With the helpof agricultural scientists and irrigation experts, specific measures need to be taken toenhance productivity in different crops. The preliminary ideas in this regard are given inTable 5.5.CropsTable 5.4: Crop-wise Performance and Potential in Bihar(Yield: Kg/ha, 2002-03 to 2004-05)ImprovedPractice (I)FarmerPractice (F)Actual2003-04Yield gapI and F% between Iand AWheat 3651 2905 1783 (A) 25.7 50.5Rice 4883 4158 1516 17.4 222.1Maize 3719 - 2374 - 56.6Sugarcane 74420 49440 40990 50.5 81.6Mustard 1385 942 830 47.0 66.9Note: I: Improved Practice; F: Farmer’s Practice.Source: Planning Commission (2008).There is need for augmenting foodgrain production on the existing area. For the next tenyears, a growth of 5 per cent per year may be targeted to raise the present level offoodgrain production from about 119 lakh MT to 222 lakh MT. Major contributions toan increase in foodgrain production can come from rice, maize and pulses (see Table5.6). However, a time-bound strategy would be needed for meeting therequirements of high-yielding seeds, development of sustainable small-scaleirrigation projects, strengthening the appropriate marketing set-up in a public-private mode and fulfilling the farmers’ demand for other inputs like fertilizers.4