AMN Patna
Bihar is grappling with a severe agrarian crisis following extensive damage to Rabi crops caused by unseasonal weather, with farmer organizations accusing the state government of negligence and inadequate relief measures.
According to a statement issued by the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), more than 2 lakh hectares of farmland across 12 districts have been affected due to hailstorms, strong winds, and heavy rainfall during March and early April. The worst-hit districts include Saharsa, Muzaffarpur, Araria, Begusarai, Madhubani, Purnia, and Bhagalpur, where standing crops ready for harvest were destroyed.
The AIKS alleged that the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government has failed to respond adequately to the crisis. It also criticized the Centre under Narendra Modi, accusing it of ignoring farmers’ distress.
The organization pointed out that although the state government has activated its crop assistance scheme, the compensation being offered—₹7,500 to ₹10,000 per hectare—is far below actual losses. It said the relief is capped at two hectares per farmer, leaving a large number of affected households undercompensated.
Farmers, already burdened by rising input costs and debt, are now facing severe financial distress as their crops—wheat, maize, pulses, oilseeds, and horticultural produce—have been wiped out. AIKS claimed that rainfall levels during this period were abnormally high, severely impacting agricultural output.
In response, AIKS has put forward a seven-point charter of demands, including enhanced compensation of ₹50,000 per hectare, complete loan waivers for affected farmers, and the introduction of a comprehensive state-run crop insurance scheme. The organization has also demanded reforms in minimum support price (MSP) calculations based on the Swaminathan Commission’s C2+50% formula.
Additionally, AIKS has called for improved fertilizer supply ahead of the upcoming Kharif season and a special credit package for farmers to help them recover from losses.
The farmers’ body warned that if its demands are not met within 15 days, it will launch statewide protests across Bihar. It said demonstrations will be organized in all affected districts, signaling a potential escalation of the agrarian crisis.
“The situation is critical, and immediate intervention is needed to safeguard farmers’ livelihoods,” the statement said, adding that delays in relief could further deepen the crisis in Bihar’s rural economy.