Bihar Agriculture Minister Vows Inclusive Access to Farmer Benefits
In a significant announcement from Patna, Bihar's Agriculture Minister Ram Kripal Yadav declared on Wednesday that no farmer in the state will be deprived of agricultural scheme benefits for not being registered under the Farmer Registry system. This assurance aims to address concerns about exclusion and ensure comprehensive coverage for all agricultural stakeholders.
Commitment to Farmer Welfare and Registry Integration
During a press conference held in the state capital, Minister Yadav emphasized the department's dedication to farmer interests. "We will not leave any farmer out of the ambit of the 'Farmer Registry' and no one will be deprived of the benefits of Union government schemes," he stated firmly. The Farmer Registry, a pivotal initiative, creates a unique identification for each farmer to facilitate access to various central and state government programs.
Reiterating his commitment to enhancing agricultural income and elevating farming to an honorable profession, Yadav revealed that the department has already prepared farmer IDs for 45 lakh farmers under the 'AgriStack' scheme. To further this effort, the department will continue organizing camps for generating farmer IDs. Farmers can also apply online for these identification cards or visit 'Vasudha Kendras' in their local areas to obtain them.
Field Visits and Fertilizer Management
Outlining his vision for "Samridh Kisan, Viksit Bihar" (Prosperous Farmers, Developed Bihar), Yadav announced plans for field visits to districts alongside officials. These visits will commence soon after the conclusion of the Bihar legislative assembly session, with the goal of meeting farmers directly and resolving their issues at the ground level.
Addressing critical supply concerns, the minister asserted that there would be no shortage of fertilizer in the state. He issued a stern warning to those involved in black marketing, detailing enforcement actions. "We gave strict orders to carry out raids to check black marketing of fertilizer. For this, flying squads were constituted at headquarters level," Yadav explained. As a result, 104 FIRs were lodged against fertilizer shops as of February 17, 2026, and licenses of 419 fertilizer shops were cancelled.
Agricultural Infrastructure Development
As part of the State's Agriculture Road Map-4, the government has set an ambitious target of establishing at least one 'Bazar Samiti' (market committee) in each district. A total of 54 Bazar Samitis will be set up across Bihar. Currently, 22 are functional, with the remaining 32 scheduled to open in phases by 2028, aligning with the fourth Agriculture Roadmap's conclusion.
Renovation work has already begun on the existing 22 Bazar Samitis, with seven inaugurated by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar post-renovation. This infrastructure development aims to improve market access and efficiency for farmers.
The press conference was attended by key agriculture department officials, including Principal Secretary Narmdeshwar Lal, Agriculture Director Saurabh Suman Yadav, Director (Horticulture) Abhishek Kumar, Director (Marketing) Shailendra Kumar, and other senior personnel, underscoring the collaborative approach to agricultural policy implementation.
