He listed the measures taken by the government to raise farm production, make farmers self-reliant and cater to the requirements of other states in India.

The chief minister also inaugurated the community radio stations at Barh in Patna and Biraul in Samastipur districts for disseminating information about agriculture.

Nitish regretted that it is unfortunate that the people of the state use only 29 per cent water and the rest goes waste every day.

He said that prominent scientist Dr Mangal Rai had been appointed as an agriculture adviser. Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh also spoke on the occasion.

Vice-Chancellor of Rajendra Agriculture University Pusa, Samastipur, M L Choudhary said community radio would provide information about the state schemes, subsidy and grants and would have a 30-minute slot every day for teaching programmes about farming.

Comment

comments...

After long silence I have heard speaking Ramadhar, once a brilliant IAS officer of capability. But in his comments, Ramadhar has defended Nitish on distribution of kisan credit cards and his presence at many places where the cards were distributed to farmers while chasirman of the commission. I failed to understand the logic of Ramadhar because when he was present than why did not recommend action against the bank officials for bungling in the distribution of cards? Secondly, why nitish is so furious- the state belonged to him- he should get the matter inquired and initiate action against erring officials- why he is sleeping and showing his concern by speaking on the issue only ? He should come up with tangible statements about bungling in distribution of cards and initiate action! As regards Ramadhar , telling about such workd in Maharshatra and other states, he should have given a definite blue-prints to Bihar government for implementing the same instead of defending chief minister when the matter was over and CM has expressed his unhappiness over the issue. Ramadhar in the past refused his postings after postings in Bihar government in successive governments !

K K Singh

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Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s ire at rampant corruption in the distribution of Kisan Credit Cards (KCCs) is fully justified. While top-level bank executives are committed to helping the farmers , it is at the branch level that farmers facea lot of hurdles and harassment . In the light of the experience of cent per cent coverage of farmers by KCCs in Jhabua and Ratlam districts of Madhya Pradesh, KCC camps were started in Bihar at block levels practically on a monthly basis and were attended by senior officials from the district and state headquarters. I personally participated in a number of these camps while working as Chairman Bihar State Farmers Commission. These camps c generated tremendous amount of awareness and enthusiasm. Many of the farmers’ problems were solved on the spot.
In view of the magnitude of the unfinished task, I would suggest continuing a vigorous and accelerated programme of KCCs camps with the participation of farmers, bank staff and as state officials.
The other concern raised by the Hon’ble Chief Minister relates to the low level of water use by the farmers and its colossal wastage. This is again a timely reminder of the grave situation that Bihar is facing with the ground water table steeply going down. Water conservation and management is key to agricultural development and food security. Bihar Government has initiated a number of programmes in this direction including restoration of Ahars and Pynes and they need to be implemented in letter as well as in spirit with a credible , substantive and regular monitoring system .
We have before us the example of Gujarat which has consistently recorded annual agricultural growth rate of over 9 per cent during last couple of years, thrice the national average growth rate Two factors have contributed to this impressive performance- rural electrification and a concerted campaign for water conservation and management with the government-people participation. More than a lakh check dams have been built and some 2.5 lakh farm ponds have been constructed or rejuvenated. In large parts of Saurashtra region where earlier water used to be supplied by tankers , people now have perennial water supply.
Ramadhar, Patna
(Former Chairman, Bihar State Farmers Commission)