Bihar to play a key role in achieving Viksit Bharat 2047; agriculture must be made attractive for youth: Ramkripal Yadav

• JD(U) National Working President, Sanjay Kumar Jha says next five years crucial for Bihar’s development
• Bihar–Jharkhand Regional Policy Dialogue and Awards 2026 held in Patna; discussions focus on climate change and sustainable agriculture

Bihar will play a key role in achieving the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, and agriculture will be central to this transformation, said Bihar’s Agriculture Minister Ram Kripal Yadav while addressing a conference on sustainable agriculture in Patna. He emphasized that agriculture must be made more lucrative and aspirational for the younger generation, adding that strengthening opportunities within the state can help reverse the long-standing trend of migration from Bihar to other states in search of labour.

The Bihar–Jharkhand Regional Policy Dialogue and Awards 2026 held at Amity University, Patna. was jointly organised by Sustainability Matters, IndiAgri and NGO Action (Alliance for Change, Transformation & Innovation) and brought together policymakers, agricultural scientists, representatives from agribusiness companies, financial institutions, entrepreneurs and farmers to deliberate on the theme of climate change and sustainable agriculture.

Highlighting the importance of agriculture in Bihar’s growth story, Yadav noted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country has set an ambitious goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047. He said Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has consistently worked towards strengthening the agricultural sector and improving farmers’ livelihoods in Bihar.

He pointed out that agriculture in the state is witnessing increasing diversification, with farmers expanding beyond traditional crops to produce fruits, vegetables and flowers. Products such as Zardalu mango, Katarni rice, litchi and makhana from Bihar are now finding markets both within India and abroad. To further strengthen this progress, he stressed the need for stronger focus on storage, processing and branding, which can enhance value addition and improve farmers’ incomes.

The Agriculture Minister also highlighted the importance of adopting innovative and climate-resilient agricultural practices, noting that changing weather patterns and environmental challenges make sustainable farming approaches increasingly important.

Speaking at the conference, JD(U) National Working President and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Kumar Jha said that the next five years will be extremely important for Bihar’s development, as the state aims to move into the top ten states of the country in terms of growth and development indicators.

He highlighted that in 2019 Bihar became the first state in the country to give concrete shape to the concept of sustainable development under the Jal Jeevan Hariyali initiative. Over the past two decades, the state has also implemented four Agricultural Road Maps, which have contributed to significant transformation in the agricultural sector.

Jha noted that climate change poses a major challenge for Bihar, with the state often facing both extreme drought and severe floods. Under the guidance of the Chief Minister, several initiatives have been undertaken to mitigate flood-related challenges and ensure efficient use of water resources. He also pointed out that water from the Ganga is now being used to provide drinking water to cities such as Gaya and Nawada.

Jyotsna Sahay Anand, Director of GreyMatters Communications, welcomed the guests, while Dr Navneet Anand, Executive Director of Sustainability Matters, presented the context and objectives of the dialogue.

Dr Navneet Anand noted that climate change has emerged as a serious global challenge and its direct impact is being felt in agriculture. He emphasized that promoting environmentally responsible farming will require collaborative efforts from government institutions, scientific communities, industry stakeholders and farmers.

He also highlighted that after successful editions of the policy dialogue in Bhopal, Chandigarh, Nagpur and Delhi, the Patna edition was organised to provide a common platform for policymakers, industry leaders, researchers and farmers from Bihar and Jharkhand to engage in meaningful dialogue.

During the programme, officials from NABARD, SIDBI and the Department of Dairy, Fisheries & Animal Resources, Government of Bihar also shared insights on how their institutions are supporting farmers and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) through financial assistance, capacity-building initiatives and institutional support aimed at strengthening agricultural growth in the state.

The event also recognised individuals and institutions for their outstanding contributions to the agricultural sector across several categories, including Climate-Resilient Agriculture Champion, Sustainable Water Management Pioneer, Soil Health & Sustainable Farming Award, FPO Excellence Award, Young Agri-Entrepreneur Award, Agritech Startup of the Year, Progressive Farmer Award and Indigenous Food Heritage Award. The awards aimed to encourage innovation, sustainable farming practices, water and soil conservation, and farmer empowerment.

Among the distinguished participants who shared their perspectives during the programme were Dr Jitendra Gupta, Joint Secretary, Finance Department, Government of Bihar; Dr Vivekanand Pandey, Vice Chancellor, Amity University; Anubha Prasad, General Manager, SIDBI; Rajesh Kumar, KRIBHCO; Laxman Kumar, NABARD; and Binay Chaudhary, Dairy Director, along with several agricultural scientists, experts and progressive farmers.