Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan held a high-level meeting in Patna on June 17, 2026. Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui
By A Correspondent
Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan held a high-level meeting on Wednesday at the Sankalp Hall in the Lok Sevak Bhavan to discuss key issues related to agriculture and rural development in the state. Several important decisions were taken to enhance farmers’ prosperity, strengthen rural infrastructure, and accelerate the implementation of welfare schemes at the grassroots level.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister said it was a privilege to hold detailed discussions with the Union Minister on matters concerning Bihar’s agricultural and rural sectors. He expressed gratitude to the Central Government for releasing backlog funds for the state’s development. He noted that the decision to clear pending payments under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) prioritises the interests of rural workers. It was agreed that all outstanding MGNREGA dues would be cleared before June 30 with the Centre’s support. The ambitious VBGRAMG scheme, aimed at giving a new direction to rural development, will be fully implemented from July 1.
The Chief Minister stated that under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana 2.0, around 104 lakh people were identified in Bihar, of whom 60 lakh were found eligible. He urged that these families should receive permanent housing at the earliest. The construction of houses under the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Awas Yojana will be expedited, with Bihar set to receive the first house allocation in the new financial year. He also highlighted that the state government is actively working to transform ‘Jeevika Didis’ into ‘Lakhpati Didis’ under the Centre’s livelihood mission, with Bihar currently ranking first in the country in this initiative. Efforts will be further strengthened. The Union Government will also support the Saras fairs, where rural women sell their products, thereby promoting livelihoods.
The Chief Minister emphasised the need to establish model centres in the agriculture sector and requested the setting up of Centres of Excellence for tomato and onion production in Buxar and Lakhisarai. He said such centres would boost innovation and productivity, particularly for crops like onion, tomato and mango. Efforts are also underway to strengthen horticulture and increase wheat and paddy production. To ensure farmers receive fair prices, the state plans to connect its fruit produce to international markets. Highlighting the growing global demand for makhana (fox nuts), he sought support for the early establishment of a Makhana Board.
He further said that Bihar was the first state in the country to adopt an Agriculture Road Map and would now focus on integrated farming to emerge as a model state. Watershed projects and soil conservation programmes will be implemented rapidly to maintain environmental balance and improve soil fertility.
The Chief Minister said the government is working with a commitment to good governance and inclusive development. Agriculture and rural development remain the backbone of the state. He assured that the administrative machinery would ensure transparent and efficient delivery of schemes. The ‘double-engine’ cooperation between the Centre and the state, he said, would take Bihar to new heights of all-round development. He also expressed hope that the Union Minister would continue to visit Bihar and extend his experience and support to the state.
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan endorsed the Chief Minister’s views and assured full support from the Central Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the development of Bihar’s agriculture and rural sectors.
Among those present at the meeting were Agriculture Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha, Chief Secretary Pratyay Amrit, Principal Secretary (Agriculture) Narmadeshwar Lal, Principal Secretary (Rural Development) Pankaj Kumar, Chief Minister’s Secretaries Lokesh Kumar Singh and Sanjay Kumar Singh, along with senior officials from the Union Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development.
About the Author
