Rice is cultivated in 37 districts of Bihar. Out of this, 25 districts are falling under low productivity group which accounts for 63% of 36.57 lakh hectares of total area under rice in the state. Only one district is falling under high productivity group i.e. yield more than 2,500 kg/ha. Average area under high productivity group comprising of one district during triennium ending 2000-2001 was 2.26 lakh hectares, which was 6.2% of total area (36.57 lakh hectares) under rice in the state. Triennium average production was 5.87 lakh tonnes which was 10.5% of average total production (55.97 lakh tonnes) in the State. Triennium average productivity of high productivity group comprising of one district was 2,597 kg/ha as against the State's, average productivity of 1,530 kg/ha.

Four districts are coming under medium productivity group i.e., yield ranging from 2,000-2,500 kg/ha. Average area under this group during triennium ending 2000-2001 was 4.08 lakh hectares, which was 11.2% of the total area (36.57 lakh hectares) under rice in the State. Triennium average production was 9.35 lakh tonnes, which was 16.7% of the total production (55.97 lakh tonnes) of rice in the State. Triennium average productivity of rice under medium productivity group comprising of four districts was 2,292 kg/ha as against 1,530 kg/ha average productivity of the State.

Triennium average area of medium low productivity group (yield 1500-2000 kg/ha), comprising of four districts was 5.65 lakh hectares, which was 15.4 per cent of total area (36.57 lakh hectares) under rice in the State. Triennium average production was 10.29 lakh tonnes, which was 18.4 per cent of average production (55.97 lakh tonnes) of rice in the State. Triennium average productivity of medium low productivity group comprising of four districts was 1,821 kg/ha, which was more than average productivity (1,530 kg/ha) of the State.

Triennium average area of low productivity group (yield 1000-1500 kg/ha) comprising of 25 districts was 23.05 lakh hectares, which was 63% of average area (36.57 lakh hectares) under rice in the State. Triennium average production was 29.15 lakh tonnes, which was 52% of average production (55.97 lakh tonnes) of rice in the State. Triennium average productivity of low productivity group comprising of 25 districts was 1,264 kg/ha, which was less than 1,530 kg/ha average productivity of the State.

Triennium average area of very low productivity (yield less than 1000 kg/ha) comprising of three districts was 1.53 lakh hectares, which was 4.2% of average area (36.57 lakh hectares) under rice in the State. Triennium average production was 1.31 lakh tonnes which was 2.3% of average production (55.97 lakh tonnes) of rice in the state. Triennium average productivity of very low productivity group comprising of three districts was 856 kg/ha, which was very low as compared to 1,530 kg/ha triennium average productivity of the state and 1,947 kg/ha average productivity of the nation.

Rice is one of the main crop of Bihar but its productivity is very poor. More than 60% rice area is concentrated in Bihar in low productivity zone and this zone contributes more than 50% of rice production of the State. Area coverage under rice with high yielding varieties is about 65% and irrigation facility is available for about 40% rice area in the State. If the productivity of low productivity zone is increased, the rice production can be increased considerably without increasing the area under rice.

Area, production and productivity of rice under different productivity groups in Bihar during triennium ending 2000-2001 are given in Table-4.