- By Kamakshi Bishnoi
- Fri, 09 May 2025 04:47 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
In a bid to boost farmer incomes, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and Agriculture Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha has urged the Central Government to expand horticulture activities, particularly in the semi-arid regions of South Bihar. Speaking at the Kharif Abhiyan-2025 Agriculture Conference held in New Delhi on Thursday, Sinha proposed the establishment of a dedicated horticulture institute focusing on crops suitable for dry climates such as lemon, amla, bael, jamun, plum, and phalsa.
Highlighting the challenges faced in rain-deficient districts of South Bihar, the Deputy CM emphasised the potential of these hardy fruit crops in improving farmers' livelihoods.
Sinha also raised several key demands with the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. He recommended revising the assistance provided on hybrid paddy and maize seeds to Rs 100 per kg, citing their high market cost. Similarly, he suggested increasing the subsidy on pulse seeds to Rs 50 per kg and enhancing demonstration rates for maize and pulses.
Expressing concern over the lack of procurement of pulses and oilseeds by government agencies like NAFED and NCCF in the past five years, Sinha requested that these agencies be directed to procure such crops at Minimum Support Price (MSP) in Bihar, to ensure better prices for farmers and promote cultivation.
The Deputy CM expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan for timely allocation of funds to support agriculture in the state. He also informed Chouhan about the successful implementation of programs like Kisan Kalyan Samvad and Yuva Kisan Samman Samaroh across Bihar, aimed at collecting feedback from farmers and encouraging youth participation in commercial farming.
In addition, Sinha advocated for a full-time director and enhanced research capacity at the National Makhana Research Centre in Darbhanga. He also called for the immediate opening of an APEDA office in Patna, and proposed dedicated research on beekeeping and honey production, including the establishment of a honey testing laboratory at the National Research Centre on Litchi in Muzaffarpur.
The Deputy Chief Minister underlined the importance of proper market access for farmers to secure fair prices and prevent distress sales, reinforcing the need for infrastructure and institutional support in the agriculture sector.