For Prelims: Protected cultivation, Polyhouse, Seed multiplication, Agricultural extension
For Mains: Agriculture: Agricultural technology and extension; Governance: State agricultural development initiatives
Source:
Dainik Bhaskar
5 facts for one-day exams
SSC, railway, police and teaching exams ask direct questions like these.
- The proposed agricultural centre is located at Sarmera in Bihar's Nalanda district.
- Over ₹2.19 crore was approved for remaining work in FY 2026-27.
- The original ₹3 crore project was approved in FY 2024-25.
- The project envisages 13 major structures and facilities.
- The planned shade-net unit will cover 600 m².
The news
The Bihar Agriculture Department has granted administrative approval for over ₹2.19 crore in financial year 2026-27 to complete the remaining work on the Integrated Agricultural Research and Farmer Prosperity Centre at the Government Seed Multiplication Farm in Sarmera, Nalanda district. The funding comes under the Prime Minister's National Agriculture Development Scheme.
The original project of ₹3 crore was approved in FY 2024-25. The latest approval covers the completion of 13 major structures and facilities, including a 1,000 square metre high-tech nursery, a 1,000 square metre polyhouse and a 600 square metre shade-net unit for protected cultivation. Agriculture Minister said the centre is intended to help farmers move beyond traditional practices and adopt modern techniques to increase income.
Why in the news?
The Bihar Agriculture Department announced administrative approval of over ₹2.19 crore in FY 2026-27 for remaining work on the Sarmera centre, which was originally approved in FY 2024-25. The centre aims to link agricultural research with farmer training and protected cultivation.
What facilities are planned at the centre?
The project provides for 13 major structures and facilities. For protected cultivation, the centre will have a 1,000 m² high-tech nursery, a 1,000 m² polyhouse and a 600 m² shade-net unit. The centre is being developed at the Government Seed Multiplication Farm in Sarmera, Nalanda.
How will the centre benefit farmers?
The centre is designed to bring agricultural research, innovation and scientific techniques to farmers. The Agriculture Minister said the aim is to help farmers adopt modern technology and innovation to increase income, rather than remain limited to traditional practices. The centre is expected to play a role in improving farmers' knowledge, skills and agricultural capacity, though the actual impact will depend on completion and farmer participation.
Original and subsequent approvals
| Approval | Financial year | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Original project | 2024-25 | ₹3 crore |
| Remaining work | 2026-27 | Over ₹2.19 crore |
Bihar connection
Facts and terms for exams
- Protected cultivation:
- Cultivation using structures or coverings that provide crops some protection from external environmental conditions.
- Polyhouse:
- A structure covered with polyethylene material in which crops are grown under partially controlled conditions.
- Seed multiplication:
- The production of larger quantities of seed from an initial stock for subsequent use in cultivation.
- Agricultural extension:
- The process of sharing agricultural knowledge and practical techniques with farmers.
Why it matters for exams
Exams: BPSC, BSSC
Syllabus: Agriculture: Agricultural technology and extension; Governance: State agricultural development initiatives
Common mistake: Examiners may confuse the ₹3 crore original project approval with the later approval for remaining work: the latter is over ₹2.19 crore, not a separate stated total project cost.
Mains question
Discuss the role of integrated agricultural research and farmer prosperity centres in improving farm productivity and farmer incomes in Bihar.
Stuck? Get it in one tap
Bihar plans to develop an agricultural research and farmer prosperity centre at Sarmera. The centre is intended to help farmers learn and use scientific farming techniques. A nursery, polyhouse and shade-net unit are planned to support protected cultivation, which uses structures or coverings to protect crops.
- The proposed agricultural centre is located at Sarmera in Bihar's Nalanda district.
- Over ₹2.19 crore was approved for remaining work in FY 2026-27.
- The original ₹3 crore project was approved in FY 2024-25.
- The project envisages 13 major structures and facilities.
- The planned shade-net unit will cover 600 m².
- Agriculture: Agricultural technology and extension
- Governance: State agricultural development initiatives
Related concepts: Protected cultivation, Polyhouse, Seed multiplication, Agricultural extension
Practice questions
Pick an answer, then read the explanation.
- Q1Easy
Which Bihar government department is responsible for the proposed agricultural research and farmer prosperity centre at Sarmera?
Explanation: The Agriculture Department, Government of Bihar, is responsible for the proposed centre at the Government Seed Multiplication Farm. Finance, Education and Health departments are not the responsible department for this project.
- Q2Hard
Consider the following statements about the proposed Sarmera agricultural centre:
- 1.The centre is planned at the Government Seed Multiplication Farm in Nalanda district.
- 2.The original ₹3 crore project was approved in FY 2026-27.
- 3.The project envisages 13 major structures and facilities.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation: Statements 1 and 3 are correct: the proposed site is in Sarmera, Nalanda, and the project envisages 13 major structures and facilities. Statement 2 is incorrect because the original ₹3 crore project was approved in FY 2024-25.
- Q3Medium
What area is planned for the shade-net unit at the Sarmera agricultural centre?
Explanation: The proposed shade-net unit covers 600 m². The nursery and polyhouse are each planned for 1,000 m²; 800 m² and 1,200 m² are not their stated areas.
- Q4Medium
What is a principal objective of the proposed agricultural research and farmer prosperity centre at Sarmera?
Explanation: The centre aims to connect agricultural research and scientific techniques with farmers while improving their knowledge and skills. It encourages modern methods rather than restricting farmers to traditional practices or replacing all farming with one method.
Frequently asked questions
1. Where is Bihar's proposed Integrated Agricultural Research and Farmer Prosperity Centre?
The centre is planned at the Government Seed Multiplication Farm in Sarmera, Nalanda district.
2. How much has Bihar approved for remaining work at the Sarmera centre?
More than ₹2.19 crore received administrative approval for remaining work in FY 2026-27.
3. What protected cultivation facilities are planned at the Sarmera centre?
A 1,000 m² high-tech nursery, a 1,000 m² polyhouse and a 600 m² shade-net unit are planned.
4. When was the original Sarmera centre project approved?
The original ₹3 crore project was approved in FY 2024-25.
All sources
- Original13 November 2026 · Read story
