AGRO-ECONOMIC RESEARCH CENTRE FOR BIHAR & JHARKHAND

AGRO-ECONOMIC RESEARCH CENTRE FOR BIHAR & JHARKHAND

Way back in 1952 i.e., almost with the inception of planning in India, the idea was mooted to establish Agro-Economic Research Centre for each state to serve as the catalyst of region specific agricultural transformation. It was one of the earliest institutional efforts to propagate and interweave knowledge based farming to a specific region.

The idea was soon translated with the setting up of a set of four Agro-Economic Research Centres in 1954. It was decided upon that one Agro-Economic Research Centre for every state would be set up in stages. The Agro-Economic Research Centre for Bihar was set up as late as on 30th March 1996 pursuant to the Gazette Notification No 5-6/84-RC-ES/EA dated 01-12/03/1996 made by the Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Department of Agriculture & Co-operation, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, New Delhi, sanctioned by the President of India. Obviously in terms of waiting period, Bihar had to suffer the birth pangs for forty four long years. In terms of position, Bihar was pushed lower down to number fifteen. Prior to the inception of this Centre, agro-economic problems related to a large state like Bihar (undivided), with different agro-economic zones, were covered by Agro-Economic Research Centres of Vishwa-Bharati and Allahabad.

The honour of bearing the 11th child of the policy of "One Agro-Economic Research Centre for Every State" has been stolen by T M Bhagalpur University, Bhagalpur, Bihar. T M Bhagalpur University had a long tradition of teaching and research in rural problems under the University Department of Rural Economics & Co-operation and its tradition facilitated, rather clinched the issue in favour of the choice of T M Bhagalpur University as the location of Agro-Economic Research Centre for Bihar & Jharkhand.

Major Functions:

To conduct investigation into specific agro-economic problems which are of special interest to the Ministry either at micro or macro level.

To carry out research works on structural changes and fundamental problems of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development of the country; and

To give technical advice to the Union Government and States on such issues as with mutual agreement may be referred to them.

AGRO-ECONOMIC RESEARCH CENTRE FOR BIHAR & JHARKHAND
Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University, Bhagalpur
Bhagalpur
Bihar
India