- By Kamakshi Bishnoi
- Thu, 26 Jun 2025 11:59 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
A high-level meeting on the formulation of a climate-friendly agriculture programme was held on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and Agriculture Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha. During the meeting, it was decided that the Borlaug Institute for South Asia (BISA) in Pusa, Samastipur, will be developed as a Centre of Excellence for climate-resilient farming.
Sinha emphasised the need to promote pulses, oilseeds, and nutrient-rich crops following Bihar’s climatic conditions. He also called for the use of AI-based systems to forecast crop diseases and pest outbreaks, and stressed the importance of implementing crop inspection and timely harvesting under the crop perception programme.
ALSO READ: Jammu Flash Floods: Two Children Among Three Dead; Four Rescued In Rajouri, Doda, Poonch And Kathua
The Deputy CM directed all agricultural universities and research institutions in the state to work in synergy to benefit farmers. He further encouraged the development of innovation-driven, business-oriented models to attract youth into the agriculture sector, while also focusing on cost reduction and doubling farmers’ income.
Sinha underlined the importance of natural and organic farming in the climate-friendly agriculture agenda and urged efforts to train and sensitise small and marginal farmers to help them adapt to climate change. Water and soil conservation were also highlighted as critical areas of focus.
Detailed discussions were held on upcoming innovation initiatives with Agriculture Principal Secretary Pankaj Kumar. The meeting was attended by Agriculture Director Nitin Kumar Singh, Horticulture Director Abhishek Kumar, Additional Director (Cultivation) Dhananjay Pati Tripathi, CIMMYT–BISA Director General Bram Govaerts, BISA MD Maruthi Prasanna Bodupally, and Assistant Director Swati Sagar, among others.