The Bihar government under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is constantly striving to increase the income of farmers and develop the agriculture sector. The policies of the government prove that it is not only committed to protecting the interests of farmers, but is also playing an active role in strengthening agricultural production and marketing. Under this, paddy procurement in Bihar has set a new record this year. There has been a significant increase in the purchase of paddy in Bihar this year. A total of 39.23 lakh metric tonnes of paddy has been procured, which is about 87.2 percent of the set target of 45 lakh metric tonnes.

Chief Secretary congratulated the District Magistrates

According to the information, last year the government had purchased 30 lakh metric tonnes of paddy, which was 66.7 percent of the target. This year there has been an increase of about 30 percent in the purchase of paddy, that is, about 9 lakh metric tonnes more paddy has been purchased. The Chief Secretary has congratulated all the District Magistrates and their team on this achievement. The excellent working style of the Food and Cooperation Department has played an important role in this success.

There has been a lot of purchase in the districts

The state has purchased about nine lakh metric tonnes of paddy more than last year, in which the highest purchase of 105 percent paddy has been done in Bhojpur. The number of such districts was decent where more than 95 percent purchase was done. These include Arwal, Banka, Begusarai, East Champaran, Gaya, Kishanganj, Lakhisarai, Madhepura, Nalanda, Patna, Saharsa, Sheikhpura, Shivhar, Siwan and Supaul. At the same time, the districts above 90 percent include West Champaran, Saran, Munger, Jamui, Araria.

The government is promoting smart farming

The state government is constantly motivating farmers to do smart farming by changing the methods of traditional farming. For this, there is a plan to give drones to all 101 subdivisions of the state under the National Agricultural Development Scheme.

Increase in paddy prices

The process of purchasing paddy started in North Bihar from November 1, 2024, which lasted till February 15, 2025. This time the department had fixed the rate of Rs 2300 per quintal for ordinary paddy and Rs 2320 per quintal for grade-A paddy. Last year the price of ordinary paddy was Rs 2183 per quintal, while the price of grade-A paddy was Rs 2203 per quintal. Procurement started in South Bihar from November 15 and continued till February 15.

Biometric verification before purchase

The Nitish government has adopted a zero tolerance policy against corruption. That is why biometric verification of registered farmers selling paddy was done. It was decided that rayati farmers will be able to sell a maximum of 250 quintals of paddy, while non-rayati farmers will be able to sell a maximum of 100 quintals of paddy. Farmers will be paid within 48 hours of purchase and paddy arrears will not be kept under any circumstances.

Agriculture roadmap decisive

This achievement of Bihar government in paddy procurement has not been achieved just like that. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has taken many serious steps for development in the agriculture sector. Due to many important schemes and steps in the agriculture sector, the production of crops, fruits and vegetables has increased. The government prepared an agriculture roadmap and conducted agricultural development programs, which has seen an increase in both production and productivity.

Bihar surpassed UP

Sugarcane farmers in Bihar get higher prices than the neighboring state Uttar Pradesh (UP). In December last year, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had announced an additional increase of Rs 10 in the price of sugarcane during the Pragati Yatra in West Champaran district. Due to which, while the price of high quality sugarcane in UP is Rs 370 per quintal, the rate of sugarcane of this category in Bihar became Rs 375 per quintal.