Agriculture in Bihar

Agriculture in Bihar

1. Rabi Crops

• Sowing: October–November
• Harvesting: March–April
• Major Crops: Wheat, Gram, Rapeseed, Mustard

2. Kharif Crops

• Also known as Badhai or Aghani Crops
• Sowing: May–June
• Harvesting: September–October
• Major Crops: Maize, Paddy, Jute

3. Zaid Crops

• Grown between Rabi and Kharif seasons
• Major Crops: Muskmelon, Watermelon, Gourd, etc.

Major Crops of Bihar

Rice

• The most important cereal crop of Bihar
• Two seasonal types: Aus (Summer Crop) and Aman (Winter Crop)

District-wise Status

• Maximum Area: Rohtas, East Champaran, Aurangabad
• Maximum Production: Rohtas, Aurangabad, Kaimur
• Maximum Productivity: Rohtas, Aurangabad, Arwal

Wheat

• Best suited soil: Sandy soil with good moisture-retaining capacity
• Important regions: Ganga Diara, Bagmati Plains

District-wise Status

• Maximum Area: Rohtas, Muzaffarpur, East Champaran
• Maximum Production: Rohtas, Kaimur, West Champaran
• Maximum Productivity: West Champaran, Khagaria, Begusarai

Maize

• Best soil: Light clay soil, e.g., “Bal Sundari” soil

District-wise Status

• Maximum Production: Katihar, Purnia, Khagaria
• Maximum Productivity: Araria, Purnia, Katihar

Jute

• Bihar ranks 2nd in India (after West Bengal)
• Requires alluvial soil and high rainfall
• Major producing districts: Kishanganj, Purnia

Pulses

• Major pulses: Arhar, Gram, Urad, Masoor, Moong, Khesari

District-wise Status

• Maximum Area: Patna, Aurangabad, Supaul
• Maximum Production: Patna, Aurangabad, Nalanda
• Maximum Productivity: Jehanabad, Vaishali, Bhojpur

Horticulture

• Bihar is famous for Litchi and Mango
• Muzaffarpur Litchi is renowned across India

Irrigation in Bihar

Almost three-fourths of canal-irrigated area lies in South Bihar

1. Kosi Canal

• Source: Hanuman Nagar Dam
• Branches:

• Eastern Kosi Canal: Purnia, Madhepura, Saharsa
• Western Kosi Canal: Darbhanga

2. Sone Canal System

• Eastern Sone Canal: From Indrapuri Barrage (Barun)

• Irrigates: Patna, Jahanabad, Aurangabad, Arwal

• Western Sone Canal: Taken out from Tishri

• Irrigates: Ara (Bhojpur), Buxar, Rohtas

3. Kamla Canal

• Source: Kamla River (Darbhanga)
• Irrigates mainly: Madhubani district

4. Gandak Canal

• Source: Valmikinagar Dam
• Branches:

• Saran Canal: Saran, Gopalganj, Siwan
• Tirhut Canal: Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, East Champaran

5. Triveni Canal

• Taken out from Gandak River at Triveni
• Irrigates: West Champaran