News Capsule: Shifting away from paddy-wheat: Bihar sees rising focus on pulses and oilseeds
28-Apr-2026 10:06 AM
News Capsule: Shifting away from paddy-wheat: Bihar sees rising focus on pulses and oilseeds
★ In Rabi 2025–26, the total cultivated area increased to 2.381 million hectares, up from 1.889 million hectares in Kharif 2025.
★ During the Rabi season, wheat’s dominance declined to 60.65%, while maize emerged as the second major crop with a 14.73% share. Pulses and oilseeds such as lentil, mustard, and gram together accounted for over 16%, indicating a clear trend toward crop diversification.
★ In the Kharif season, paddy still dominates with 86.70% of the total area. However, in North Bihar, cultivation of makhana, jute, vegetables, and spices is expanding rapidly.
★ The growing inclination toward cash crops like mango, banana, and litchi suggests that agriculture in Bihar is gradually shifting toward a more market-driven model.