Honorable Deputy Chief Minister cum Agriculture Minister, Bihar Vijay Kumar Sinha said that World Food India 2025 is being organized at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. This version will be the largest event so far, furthering the unprecedented success of its previous versions. It will contain more than 90 countries, over 2,000 exhibitions and thousands of stakeholders associated with the entire food price chain from farm to plate.
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He said that the main objective of this event is to establish India as a global food center for food processing and supply. The conference will prove to be a common platform for senior government representatives, investors, heads of food companies from India and abroad and various stakeholders. Producers, food processors, equipment manufacturers, logistics and cold chain companies, technology providers, start-ups, new profiles and retailers will get an opportunity to display their ability.
The Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister said that Bihar is also making significant contribution to India’s food grains supply with better production and productivity. Bihar has achieved historical achievement in agriculture in the past years. In the year 2024-25, 99.34 lakh metric tonnes were received by cultivating paddy in an area of 33.45 lakh hectare in the state. Similarly, sowing of wheat in 23.40 lakh hectares recorded 78.27 lakh metric tonnes and 9.55 lakh hectares recorded 66.03 lakh metric tonnes from maize cultivation. In particular, maize productivity was 69.13 quintals per hectare, which is the highest level ever.
He informed that 249.21 lakh metric tonnes of food grains have been produced in a total of 71.05 lakh hectare area in the year 2024-25. This achievement is a result of farmers’ hard work, modern technology and visionary policies of the state government. This year average productivity was recorded at 35.08 quintals per hectare, which is the golden chapter in the agricultural history of Bihar. The Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister said that more than three-fourths of Bihar’s population is directly dependent on agriculture, of which more than 91% of the farmers are of small and marginal category. To empower such farmers, agricultural roadmap based development strategy has been adopted in the state. Currently the fourth agricultural roadmap (2023-2028) is applicable, under which there has been significant progress in crop production, productivity and diversity.
He said that in the last decade and a half, wheat productivity has increased by one and a half times, maize productivity and rice productivity has increased by two and a half times. There has also been an unprecedented increase in cash crops, horticulture, flower cultivation and water agriculture. The reach of farmers has improved to better seeds, irrigation, soil health and agricultural loans. The state government is providing up to 80% grant on 75 types of agricultural implements to promote agricultural mechanization. On the basis of these achievements, Bihar has received five Krishi Karman Awards so far.
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The Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister specifically mentioned Makhana. He said that 85% of the total makhana production of the country occurs in Bihar. The decision by the Central Government to establish the Makhana Board is not only commendable but it is a direct benefit to thousands of farmers of the state. This will benefit about 50 thousand Makhana producing farmer families and Makhana in Bihar will get global identity. Makhana production and processing are being accelerated under the state government’s schemes.
The Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister expressed confidence that world Food India will not only strengthen the agricultural possibilities of Bihar with events like 2025, but will also provide a new direction to the income of the farmers and the rural economy. He said that Bihar is moving fast on the path of agriculture development and the state government is standing firmly with the farmers at every step.