Patna: In a significant stride toward modernizing agriculture and boosting crop productivity, Bihar has successfully converted 100% of maize cultivation to improved seed varieties, marking a major milestone in its agricultural transformation journey. This achievement has contributed to an astounding 300% increase in maize production across the state, according to the Agriculture Department.
The initiative is part of the state’s broader effort to promote the use of high-yield, certified seeds in place of traditional, low-performing varieties.
Seed Revolution: A Decade in the Making
Bihar’s efforts to strengthen its seed ecosystem began in 2005, when the dormant Bihar State Seed Corporation was reactivated. The following year, the government launched foundation seed production programs across all 241 state seed multiplication projects.
These long-term strategies, aligned with the Agriculture Roadmap of Bihar, have begun to pay rich dividends with significant improvements in food grain production and overall farm productivity.
Sharp Rise in Seed Replacement Rates Across Crops
The state has seen impressive progress not just in maize, but across several key crops due to its focus on Seed Replacement Rate (SRR) — a critical factor in determining agricultural output.
Here’s how SRRs have improved since 2004-05:
- Maize: Increased from 50% to 100%
- Rice: Jumped from 11% to 50.91%
- Wheat: Rose from 12% to 46.32%
- Pulses: Up from 5.83% to 46.75%
- Oilseeds: Grew from 30% to 90.26%
These numbers highlight the state’s success in eliminating low-yielding seeds and accelerating agricultural growth through timely access to better seed varieties.
Certified Seeds: The Game Changer
The Agriculture Department has made it a priority to distribute certified, high-quality seeds at affordable prices and well in advance of the sowing season. This approach has helped farmers make the switch confidently and efficiently.
Government officials noted that increasing seed replacement not only enhances yield and income but also reduces the vulnerability of farmers to climate variability and crop failure.
