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Bihar has been honoured with the prestigious “Water Transversality Global Award” by the India Water Foundation in a ceremony held in New Delhi, recognizing its innovative Climate-Resilient Agriculture Program. This award underscores Bihar’s efforts in tackling the challenges posed by climate change while empowering small and marginal farmers through advanced agricultural practices.
The Climate-Resilient Agriculture Program is being implemented in five villages in each district across Bihar, with support from the Borlaug Institute for South Asia (BISA), Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur, and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Patna.
The program focuses on helping farmers adapt to climate change by adopting new technologies such as crop diversification, zero tillage, raised bed planting, and crop residue management. These strategies have significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions and boosted farmers’ income. The program spans 190 villages across 38 districts, increasing crop diversification by over 30% and decreasing reliance on traditional crops like rice and wheat.
Millet cultivation has been a key initiative, with 437 acres dedicated to growing various types of millet, resulting in a yield of 3,260 quintals. Additionally, advanced laser levelling has been implemented on 12,807 acres of land to improve water-use efficiency. These climate-resilient practices have improved yields by 25-30%, enhanced soil health, and reduced environmental impact by up to 25%.
To date, 4.33 lakh farmers have been trained in climate-resilient agricultural practices, including millet cultivation techniques. The Water Transversality Global Award highlights Bihar’s holistic approach to environmental sustainability, promoting effective water management strategies and inspiring the broader adoption of conservation and sustainable agricultural practices.