Rising global populations and increasing affluence have driven significant improvements in agricultural productivity. At the international level,
agriculture continues to be a vital economic pillar—engaging approximately 1.3 billion people (16% of the world’s population) and contributing nearly 24% to global output.
In India, agriculture remains a cornerstone of the economy, providing livelihood support to about 46.1% of the populationand contributing around 16%
to the national GDP (at current prices). Its role in ensuring food security, employment generation, and rural development makes it indispensable for inclusive and sustainable growth.
In the state of Bihar, agriculture holds even greater significance. Agriculture and allied sectors—including agriculture, animal husbandry, environment and forests, water, and irrigation—are fundamental to Bihar's economy and rural livelihoods. The state’s fertile alluvial soils and abundant water resources support diverse cropping patterns such as rice, wheat, maize, pulses, and sugarcane. The sector acts as the most important source of economic opportunity, with nearly 77% of the workforce engaged in agricultural activities. Agriculture and allied sectors contribute approximately 24.84% of the State Domestic Product, making it the single largest private-sector occupation in the state. Agriculture in Bihar serves as a catalyst for poverty reduction, livelihood enhancement, and the creation of new agribusiness avenues. Its contributions—nearly 20% of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) over the past five years—align strongly with the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 With 88% of Bihar’s population residing in rural areas, agriculture and allied sectors remain the primary sources of income and socio-economic stability.
Recognizing the sector’s importance, the Government of Bihar has formulated and implemented three Agricultural Road Maps over the past 16 years, demonstrating its continued commitment to agricultural transformation. As a result, the sector has witnessed robust growth, achieving a 5.2% average annual growth rate between 2018–19 and 2023–24.
Building on the achievements of the three earlier Krishi Roadmaps, the Fourth Krishi Roadmap aims to accelerate agricultural transformation in Bihar through a comprehensive, inclusive, and future-ready strategy. It focuses on strengthening food systems, enhancing farmer prosperity, and ensuring environmental sustainability, with a core objective of reinforcing food and national security by improving the productivity and resilience of major crops. The roadmap places strong emphasis on inclusive agricultural development by promoting the participation of non-raiyat and women farmers alongside raiyat farmers, expanding their access to resources, opportunities, and institutional support. Key interventions include promoting sustainable development through environmentally responsible practices, efficient resource management, and climate-resilient agriculture, and advancing departmental convergence to ensure coordinated implementation across agriculture-related departments. It supports the formation of farmer groups to operationalise the “small farmers–big farming” concept, enabling collective access to technology, inputs, and markets. The roadmap further promotes the integration of modern technologies such as improved machinery, digital tools, and scientific methods to enhance productivity and reduce inefficiencies, and strengthens post-harvest management to reduce damage to produce and preserve value. It introduces region-specific strategies for Tal, Diara, and Chaur areas, and supports integrated development of agriculture with horticulture, animal husbandry, and fisheries, while preparing farmers for climate change.