Land Holding in Bihar
According to Census Report 2011, about 88.7% population live in rural areas in Bihar which is coupled with high density and large family size, which ultimately results into most of the farmers having very low land holding sizes.
| Type of Farmers (Land Holding) | Famers(%) |
|---|---|
| Marginal (0-1 ha) | 91.21 |
| Small (1-2 ha) | 5.75 |
| Small-Medium(2-4 ha) | 2.52 |
| Medium (4-10 ha) | 0.493 |
| Large (>10 ha) | 0.018 |
Land Use Pattern in Bihar
According to Economic survey of Bihar 2020-21, in Bihar about 53.9% of total geographical area is used for sowing crops. While rest 45.6% is used for other purposes or are unculturable, fallow, forested, barren or tree cropped and pasture lands.
- Net Sown Area - 53.9%
- Total Uncultured Land - 45.6%
- Unculturable Wastes - 0.5%
The total unculturable lands include Forest(6.6%) Barren(4.6%), Land put Non-agricultural purposes(23.3%), Culturable Wastes(0.5%), Pastures and Tree crops(2.8%) and Fallow(12.8%)
Zonal Classification of Lands in Bihar
Bihar's Land can be classified into three zones on the basis of Climatic conditions:-
- Zone-I = North-West Bihar
- Zone-III = North-East Bihar
- Zone-III = South Bihar
1. Zone-I
In this zone 13 districts of North-western Bihar are included these are West Champaran, East Champaran, Gopalganj, Muzaffarpur, Saran, Siwan, Vaishali, Sheohar, Sitamarhi, Darbhanga, Madhubani, Samastipur and Begusarai.
- Average Rainfall- 104 cm - 145 cm (124.5cm).
- Temperature(Maximum/Minimum) - 36.6° Celsius/7.7° Celsius.
- Main Crops - Paddy, wheat, Mustard(Black), Potato, Maize, Sweet Potato and Lentil.
This is the most fertile zone of Bihar having highest crop production due to sufficient water availability through rivers like Gandak, Bagmati, Burhi Gandak, Ghaghara etc. as well as through the Triveni Canal on Gandak.
2. Zone-II
there are 9 districts in this zone. Which are Supaul, Saharsa, Madhepura, Khagaria, Araria, Kishanganj, Purnea, Katihar and North- Bhagalpur.
- Average Rainfall- 120-170 cm (145cm)
- Temperature (Maximum/Minimum) - 33.8° Celsius
- Main Crops- Jute, Paddy, Wheat, potato mustard, Moong, Toria etc.
Zone-II is flood affected region. This zone is known for its commercial agricultural practices.
3. Zone-III
This zone is further subdivided into two sub-zones i.e.
I. Zone-IIIA
In this sub-zone there are six districts included i.e. Shekhpura, Lakhisarai, Jamui, Munger, Banka, and southern Bhagalpur.
II. Zone-IIIB
In this zone total 11 districts are included, those are Kaimur, Rohtas, Bhojpur, Buxar, Aurangabad, Arwal, Jehanabad, Gaya, Patna, Nalanda and Nawada.
- Annual Average Rainfall- 99cm-124cm (111.5cm).
- Mean Temperature(Maximum/ Minimum) - 37.1° Celsius/7.8° Celsius M
- Main Crops - Paddy, wheat, Gram, Lentil, Mustard.