Economic Highlights

New Delhi, 24 March 2011

Bihar Leads Way

INDIA’s NEW BREAD BASKET

By Shivaji Sarkar

Bihar, not so long ago was supposed to be a laggard, most un-innovative, lacking will to take new initiatives, but today it may become the leader in setting new trends in agriculture and create food safety for the country which the Centre has failed to do.

The State is trying to show that agriculture, the largest employer could be profitable and add to the people’s lifestyle. Indeed, it has almost posed a challenge to the Planning Commission and the UPA Government’s contentions that agriculture is a drain on economy. The State aims at doubling farm production in the near future. It also has estimated that the employment situation would phenomenally improve.

Significantly, two developments are taking place. One, the Biharis' as seen in the Nalanda district are breaking away from the past by growing new kinds of crops. Two, the Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has taken up the cause of farmers in opposing the Seeds Bill as tabled in Parliament.

Another event that has not caused much stir is the visit of the Microsoft Chief Bill Gates, now heading his philanthropic foundation with his wife and Foundation Co-chair Melinda to the State this month. Whereby, they announced to partner the State in the agriculture sector. Recall, the Foundation invested $ 80 million worth partnership in the health sector during Gates last visit to Bihar in May last year.

Endowed with good soil, adequate rainfall and ground water availability the State has now realized its agricultural potential. Till date, its agricultural productivity is one of the lowest in the country, leading to rural poverty, low nutrition and migration of labour.

The change in the political culture and improvement in the law and order situation has started reversing the process of migration of skilled farm labourers, who had turned Punjab and Haryana into the country’s granary. Nitish Kumar believes that Bihar’s hungry bowl would turn into the bread basket of the country.

He feels the Seeds Bill, as drafted now, is too favourable to the multi-national genetically modified seed producers and “is brazenly anti-farmer”. In a communication to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar he asserted that the Bill in its present form would lead to unrestricted commercialisation of varieties in public domain and would make seeds expensive with doubtful qualities.

He advocated the cause of the public sector which states that its seeds are not only affordable but also scientists take keen interest in inter-acting with farmers to improve the seed quality and farm output. “The cost of private sector seeds runs into hundreds or several thousands rupees in case of hybrid seeds while public sector seeds are affordable,” he added.

Further, taking up the cause with Bill Gates who visited some villages in the State and met farmers, the Chief Minister averred, "The Foundation has shown interest in seed improvement in the agriculture sector. Wherein, this new road map aimed at triggering processes of development in agriculture and allied sectors.

The State is trying to revolutionise the farm sector by creating self-help groups (SHG), many being led by women. Nalanda has emerged as the pioneer. The District Administration and the Agriculture Ministry have also come forward to help farmers in finding markets for their produce. Many multi-national marketers (MNC) have show interest in bulk purchase of vegetables and fruits from the state.

The SHG workers have been trained by the Rajendra Agriculture University, Pusa in Samastipur in raising new kinds of crops, which have table value in big cities and they are also trained to think in innovative ways. In a pilot project at Nalanda’s Anantpur village women have taken to mushroom cultivation after getting training. They also have become trainers for other villagers.

Another village Sohdih has taken to organic farming of potato, onion and other vegetables. Many marketers have booked their products even before the crops matured. Also, pprivate and cooperative sectors are being encouraged to establish markets, enter into buy-back arrangements and purchase directly from the farmers.

Farmers are being organised along the enterprises to establish economy of scale and to act as a collective voice to safeguard their interest. This includes excursions into processing and marketing centres of excellence in the country, formation of farmer interest group and federating them at the various levels.

This is not all. Co-operative marketing is being introduced in the area of fruits and vegetables on lines of milk or dairy. Efforts are also being made to make farmers aware of the market demand of agricultural commodities. To counter the MNCs, seed production under the public sector is being revived. Seed-village programme has been introduced for seed production through farmers’ direct participation.

The Bihar Rajya Beej Nigam and Pusa Seed Society have taken up buy-back seeds scheme. Private seed companies have been told to ensure availability of latest technology to the farmers and also to ensure fair competition with public sector seed companies for the benefit of the farmers.

The existing Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVK) have been made main centres in view of their utility as centre of excellence in spreading agricultural knowledge to the rural masses. They have been asked to cater to post harvest handling of the agricultural products and develop entrepreneurial skill among the rural youth. The KVK’s will function in five “mission modes” on honey bee, seed production including seed villages, conservation agriculture, integrated farming and vermi-compost.

The Chief Minister is also inviting investments in agro industries.  His aim is not only to make the State a prime farm cultivation place but also create job opportunities to check migration from the State. His aim is to make Bihar the backbone of national economy.

The State has 56.03 lakh hectares net cultivated area and the gross cultivated area is 79.46 lakh hectares. About 33.51 lakh hectare net area and 43.86 lakh hectare gross area receive irrigation from different sources. The State is formulating plans to utilise the optimum area to increase production of traditional crops like paddy and wheat to many cash crops and table vegetables. Organic farming is to be promoted in a big way.

The State produces 152 lakh tonnes of food grain and 131 lakh tonnes of non-food (cash) crops. It estimates that with some correction in management of farm sector it could be increased by over 50 per cent. As it stands, Bihar farmers still lead in khaadi production. This gives additional income to at least 25 per cent of the farmers. This area is also to be intensified.

Undoubtedly, the Bihar experiment has much potential. If it succeeds it would change the basic economic concepts the country has been pursuing for the last 20 years. ---- INFA

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