The growth in agriculture and allied activities has been slow but steady. About 70% of Bihar’s workforce is dependent on agriculture. The share of agriculture in the GSDP stood at 20% in 2017-18, up from 18% five years ago. With an average annual growth rate of 4.4% over the past five years, the production of major crops like maize, rice and wheat has grown despite a fall in the net sown area. Agriculture has also done well despite the government’s own fluctuating contribution. In 2015-16, the total expenditure on agriculture and allied activities stood at Rs 4,119.9 crore, or 11% of the state’s total spend on economic services. In 2016-17, this came down to Rs 2,414.4 crore, while in the following fiscal, it jumped back to Rs 5.724.1 crore. Public expenditure on agricultural research has also seen a decline over the past five years. Microfinance to small and marginal farmers remains an issue — despite them making up 91% of the state’s farming community, holding an average landholding of 0.4 hectares.
Aashish Aryan, 'Bihar economy: Dragged by legacy issues, a slow, steady progress', Indian Express