Economic Reforms and Agricultural Diversification in Bihar since 1991: An Analytical Study

Abstract

Following the economic reforms of 1991 (Liberalization, Privatization, and Globalization), the Indian economy underwent sweeping changes, the impact of which was clear in the agricultural sector as well. In an agrarian state like Bihar, these reforms influenced the agricultural structure, cropping patterns, and market orientation. The objective of the present study is to analyze the trends, causes, and impacts of agricultural diversification in Bihar in the post-1991 era. However, this diversification remains partial and uneven, as its pace is constrained by the predominance of small and marginal farmers, an underdeveloped market infrastructure, and natural calamities. In conclusion, the study suggests that agricultural diversification in Bihar can be further strengthened through effective policy interventions, market reforms, and technological innovations, thereby facilitating improvements in farmers' incomes and the state's overall economic condition.