Bihar crosses national average in rice production: Nitish Kumar

PATNA: Hailing Bihar farmers for breaking China's record in rice production, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today said the state has gone ahead of national average in terms of paddy cultivation and would soon do so in wheat.

"Though Chinese scientists are disputing the feat but it is a fact that a Bihar farmer has broken their record in rice production," Kumar said, addressing a function to launch Sri method of agriculture.

The CM said the state was already ahead of national average in terms of per hectare production of maize and achieved this in the field of rice in 2012-13.

"We will soon cross the national average in per hectare cultivation of wheat," he added.

The CM said the state was largest producer of honey in the country.

He said the state has formulated agriculture roadmap for five years which would increase income of the farmers.

Saying that power shortage was a big problem in agriculture, he emphasised on dedicated feeder to provide uninterrupted electricity for farming.

In a veiled attack on his rival Lalu Prasad, he said, "We should always remember from where we began our journey and where we have reached."

The Bihar CM said faster growth in the state has earned faith of outsiders to invest in the state.