By A Correspondent
Patna: The Department of Agriculture, Bihar, has been honoured with three awards by the agriculture-related institutions Sustainability Matter and IndiAgri, New Delhi, for its efforts to promote sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture in Bihar.
The awards were presented in the categories of:
Climate-Smart Agriculture Champion (for climate-resilient agriculture programs),
Soil Health Champion (for sustainable agriculture programs),
Water Conservation Champion (for land conservation initiatives).
These honours reflect the department’s innovations, sustainable policies, and farmer-centric initiatives in the agricultural sector.
Promotion of Climate-Resilient Agriculture
Bihar Agriculture Secretary Sanjay Kumar Agrawal stated that under the guidance of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, climate-resilient agriculture programmes are being implemented across all districts of Bihar. Farmers in the state are now becoming more aware of cultivating climate-appropriate crops within traditional cropping systems and are increasingly adopting these practices.
There has been significant expansion in the cultivation of millets/nutri-cereals and low-irrigation crops. The Agriculture Department has undertaken initiatives such as capacity-building training programmes, weather-based agricultural advisories, and the implementation of climate-smart agriculture models at the village level.
Promotion of Sustainable Agriculture
Secretary Agrawal further shared that Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and Agriculture Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha has also been encouraging farmers to adopt organic and natural farming through the Kisan Kalyan Samvad (Farmer Welfare Dialogue) initiative.
To promote sustainable agriculture, soil testing is being conducted and Soil Health Cards are being provided to farmers to ensure the balanced use of fertilisers. Farmers are also being made aware of the importance of soil fertility. Soil fertility maps are being displayed in all blocks of the state to equip farmers with as much information as possible.
Land and Water Conservation
Agrawal highlighted that the Directorate of Land Conservation is promoting land and water conservation in the southern regions of the state through the construction of permanent check dams, water harvesting ponds, wells, and the use of micro-irrigation systems. Additionally, dryland horticulture is being promoted in cluster formations in these areas.
It is a matter of pride that the hard-working farmers, officials, and scientists of Bihar are playing a crucial role in adopting sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural programmes in the state. These three awards are dedicated to the diligent farmers of Bihar.
