16. AGRICULTURAL INPUT SUBSIDIES IN INDIA: QUANTUM OF SUBSIDIES TO SC/ST FARMERS IN BIHAR
    2003, Dr. Amalendu Kumar & Dr. Rajiv Kumar Sinha

17. AGRICULTURAL POLICY IN BIHAR: A POLICY MATRIX IN A FEDERAL SYSTEM
    2003, Dr. U M Jha & Dr. Rajiv Kumar Sinha

18. BUILDING UP OF AN EFFICIENT MARKETING SYSTEM TO OBVIATE THE NEED FOR LARGE SCALE STATE INTERVENTION IN BIHAR
    2004, Dr. Ranjan Kumar Sinha

19. RURAL NON-FARM EMPLOYMENT IN BIHAR
    2004, Dr. Amalendu Kumar

20. ROLE OF WATER MARKETS IN GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT IN BIHAR & JHARKHAND
    2004, Dr. Ugra Mohan Jha & Dr. Ranjan Kumar Sinha

21. ROLE OF WATER MARKETS IN GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT
    (A Consolidated Report of Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand and Rajasthan)
    2006, Dr. Bal Krishna Jha & Dr. Ranjan Kumar Sinha

22. ECONOMICS OF PRODUCTION AND MARKETING OF BETELVINE IN BIHAR
    March 2007,Dr. Amalendu Kumar

23. VIABLE ENTREPRENEURIAL TRADES OF WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE IN BIHAR
    March 2007,Dr. Ranjan Kumar Sinha/ Dr. Shambhu Deo Mishra

24. STUDY FOR ESTIMATION OF SEED, FEED AND WASTAGE RATIOS FOR MAJOR FOODGRAINS IN BIHAR
    March 2007,Dr. B.K.Jha /Dr. Amalendu Kumar/ Dr. Rajeev Kumar Sinha

25. Problems and Prospects of Fish Farming in Bihar & Jharkhand
    2009, Dr. Ranjan Kumar Sinha, Research Officer
     

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16. AGRICULTURAL INPUT SUBSIDIES IN INDIA: QUANTUM OF SUBSIDIES TO SC/ST FARMERS IN BIHAR

This study envisaged primarily to the utilization pattern of subsidies, amount of subsidies used by SC/ST farmers and the effects of subsidies on cropping pattern and productivity. The areas of study were Vaishali, Katihar and Rohtas from irrigated districts, whereas Dumka and Gumla formed part of dry districts in the state of undivided Bihar. The study revealed that per farm indirect subsidy, specially meant for fertilizer and irrigation in the sampled irrigated districts were higher in comparison to dry districts, because farmers of dry districts used fertilizers in lower quantities. The findings further reveal that direct subsidies availed by different social groups were comparatively low among the SC/ST categories compared to other classes due to their poor economic conditions. These findings confirm the reason for the failure of Government policy, both at the Central, as well as, state levels, in assisting the SC/ST farmers. The analysis of indirect subsidy indicated that under irrigated districts, farmers were more interested to apply higher doses of fertilizers than that of dry districts. The overall analysis suggests that subsidy in both the irrigated and dry districts played vital role in the economic development by way of boosting up production, employment and investment. Main constraints identified in regard to subsidies used by SC/ST farmers were poor economic background and possession of low capacity to buy the inputs owing to scarcity of credit facilities in the areas.

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17. Agricultural Policy In Bihar : A Policy Matrix in a Federal System

The study is based on a thematic review of the policy documents and materials at the state level and interviews with the stakeholders. The study finds that the scenario of agricultural development is satisfactory in the state, because there had been phenomenal increases in the cropping intensity as well as, productivity during the last five decades. However, in the flood prone ecosystem, in particular, the development is still not significant and encouraging. In 1996-97, the per capita food production was only 43 kg instead of 210 kg. Thus, there is a vast gap between the production level and quantity demanded along with greater scope for its development in the future. Animal husbandry is the next most important venture of income and employment generation in the state, but it is also in very backward state. Despite vast potential for the production of fruits, vegetables and other commercial crops, it couldn’t have been fully utilized and hence, the productions of these crops have not yielded remunerative prices. It is more so because of negligible presence of Agro-Processing Industries in the State. The main constraints of agricultural development in the state are social, structural, organizational, technological and natural calamities. The required policy matrix for the sectors may be pictured in the form of suitable and well chalked out development strategies for land resources, water resources, dairy, livestock, plantation and horticulture, etc. for all-round development of the state.

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18. Building up of an efficient marketing system to obviate the need for large scale state intervention in Bihar

The Royal Commission recognized the importance of an efficient marketing system way back in 1928 on Agriculture. After independence, the NPC and various other Ad-hoc Committees also supported the expansion of regulated market system. In 1976, the NCA emphasized the increasing importance of marketing of agricultural commodities and the need for adoption of measures to increase production. But, in course of time, it was realized that market regulation is not enough, as evidenced by various studies. Prime Minister’s EAC (2002) also suggested market reforms for development of an efficient marketing system. It is in this backdrop, the present study has been undertaken in Bihar with the objectives of examining the prevailing system of marketing of important agricultural commodities, role of Governments and NGOs, deficiencies in factors impacting market efficiency, possibility of adoption of future markets and measures to improve marketing efficiency. The study has covered two main crops, viz., paddy and wheat in a sample district, viz., Rohtas, selected on the basis of larger the area of both the crops in the state during the reference period of 2001-2002 with a sample of 60 farm households.

The study finds that there is a large degree of imperfections in the marketing of selected commodities’ market structure, which requires less regulatory and more promotional marketing policy. Along with various recommendations mandi concept is to be popularized for marketing of both the selected commodities in the state.
 

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19. Rural non-employment in Bihar

The study is based on primary and secondary data related to various aspects, such as pattern of rural non-farm employment, determinants of employment and region specific constraints. The primary data were collected from two districts, namely: Bhagalpur and Kishanganj of Bihar. The sample size of this study was 120 households. The study finds that out of the total population, 89.59 per cent were rural (2001) and about 75 per cent depended on agriculture and allied works. Thus, only 25 per cent were engaged in non-agricultural activities. During the last five decades, the scenario of non-farm activities remained constant except in the census year of 1971. The study further indicates that in sampled district of Bhagalpur, about 22.62, 21.43, 26.19, 15.47 and 14.29 per cent were engaged in manufacturing, construction, trade, commerce and service sector respectively, whereas in Kishanganj district, 19.44, 22.22, 33.33, 19.44 and 5.57 per cent people were engaged in manufacturing, construction, trade, transport and services sector respectively. The overall finding of the study was that the trend of development of rural non-farm employment had been low in the state. For the proper development of this sector, various activities have been suggested. However, the study finds that livestock processing units could be better replacement and feasible entrepreneur for the rural poor in Bihar.

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20. Role of Water markets in Groundwater management in Bihar & Jharkhand

The concept of Minimum Support Price was introduced by the Agricultural Price Commission in mid-1960's. The MSPs fixed by the government are in the nature of long term guarantee to enable the producers to pursue their efforts with the assurance that the prices of their produce would not be allowed to fall below the floor prices even in the event of a glut in the market. Bihar is the 3rd populous state of India and food crops dominate its agricultural economy. With the objectives of examining the effectiveness of the price policy in the state, documenting the impact of MSP on agricultural growth, analysis of process of implementation, evaluation of the impact of MSP on income and investment of farmers and assessment of its impact on crop rotation, the study was undertaken by selecting the district of Rohtas as food crop growing region and Purnea as non-food crop growing region. Darbhanga was selected as the third district growing mainly food crops but less agriculturally developed region.

The findings of the study indicate that there is an urgent need to create an environment for an effective implementation of support prices in the state. If the policy becomes functional in real terms, the state of Bihar may be a surplus state in food grains production because the gap between the actual and potential is very high.

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21. Role of Water markets in Groundwater management
(A Consolidated Report of Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand and Rajasthan)

During last five decades, the most striking features of irrigation development in India is the rapid growth in the use of groundwater, which evolved the indigenous institution of water market or pump rental market. NSSO data for 1976-77 (31st round) and 1991-92 (54th round) gave some macro level estimates of the states on its prevalence and spread. But in changed scenario, its dimension has become wide, thus, this common study has been simultaneously undertaken in six states, covering a total of 1100 farm households, which consisted of 580 owners of water extracting devices (OWED and 520 non-owners of water extracting devices (NOWED).

The study finds that the exploitation of groundwater has led to decline in the groundwater table in almost all the states, which caused salinity, particularly in Orissa, drying up of wells, particularly in Jharkhand, and many other problems. Power related problem is prominent in all the states. At the end, suitable measures have been suggested to make the water market efficient and vibrant.
 

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22. Economics of Production and Marketing of Betelvine in Bihar

Betel vine (Piper betle L) is commercially cultivated in Southeast Asian countries including India which ranks first in its cultivation and production. States like: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Assam, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Bihar are known for betel vine cultivation. Out of the total area of 50,000 ha under betel vine cultivation in India, Bihar’s share is 3,200 ha (6.42%). Keeping in view the significant contribution of the crop in income and employment generation, the study was conducted with the following specific objectives during the year 2005-06. (i)To assess input output analysis of betel vine, (ii) To study the size and pattern of employment, (iii) To study the marketing of betel vine with particular reference to marketing channels and price spread, and; (iv) To identify constraints in production and marketing and explore its developmental possibilities. Bhagalpur and Vaishali districts were selected purposively for the study. The study finds that, on an average, 833 mandays was created on cultivation of per hectare of betel vine, out of which male comprised 86.19 per cent and female 13.81 per cent. Per hectare gross income and net return on all farms, on average basis were calculated as Rs. 151845.55 and Rs. 55281.41 respectively. Capital output ratio was found to be 1:1.58. Several constraints were also found to have existed before the growers. The study runs in 80 pages comprising six chapters.


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23. Viable Entrepreneurial Trades of Women in Agriculture in Bihar

In view of involvement of various Governmental Organizations (GOs) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in entrepreneurial training for farm women, there is lot of interest to know field level impact of these programmes. This study has been undertaken under this spirit with some specific objectives like; to identify the viable entrepreneurial trades for women in agriculture, to study the impacts of those trades on the women beneficiaries in terms of income and socio-economic conditions, to assess the role of training and to understand the constraints faced and the linkages and support system needed for enhancing the viability and feasibility of the trades. The study has been undertaken with a sample of 100 farm women constituting 67 from trained farm women and 33 from non-trained farm women, distributed in 3 districts of Bihar viz., Bhagalpur, Banka and Munger. It has covered five entrepreneurial activities viz., preservation of fruits and vegetables, preparation of jam and jelly, preparation of pickles and murabba, beekeeping and preparation of potato chips, badi and papad. The study report is prepared in 95 pages containing seven chapters.

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24. Study for Estimation of Seed, Feed and Wastage ratios for Major Food grains in Bihar

Keeping in view India’s demand for food grains estimated at 351 million tones by the year 2020, which is more than 50 per cent over the existing ones, food grain losses (during pre and post harvest operations) have been the subject of considerable debate in recent years. The study was undertaken with the objectives of estimating (i) the total quantity of food grains used for seed, feed and wastage, and (ii) net availability of food grains for human consumption. Two districts, namely; Saran (for cereal crop i.e., paddy) and Patna (for pulse crop i.e., lentil) were selected on the basis of area predomination. The study finds that even after development of production and processing technology, wastages in paddy stands at 10.99 per cent whereas that of 5.01 per cent in case of lentil crop. The study has five chapters running in 76 pages.

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25. Problems and Prospects of Fish Farming in Bihar & Jharkhand

Fisheries and aquaculture contribute 1.04 per cent to the national GDP and 5.34 per cent to agriculture and allied activities. It could play a significant role in realizing their development role. But Bihar & Jharkhand states have not been able to fully exploit the given resource endowment. In fact, there are very few literatures available on the potentialities, prospects and problems of fish production, which have socio-economic implications particularly in Bihar & Jharkhand states. It is with this view, this study has been undertaken. Specific objectives are to estimate the cost of cultivation and production of fish, to identify the various channels and system of fish marketing, to identify the existing constraints of fish farming, to examine the future prospects of fish farming and to suggest suitable policy measures for the development of fish farming. A total of 90 fish farming households from Bihar and 60 from Jharkhand were selected for in-depth investigation. The reference period of the data collection is 2007-08. The study finds that CB ratios in Bihar is 1:1.81 and 1:1.52 in Jharkhand, which clearly reveal that the fish farming in both the states is remunerative and thus, sustainable. Constraints as perceived by the sample households have been identified separately for both the states and in the light of emerging scenario and empirical inputs suitable policy measures have also been suggested accordingly.

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