The Bihar government is building state-of-the-art e-Kisan Bhawan at block level to extend benefits of Information Technology (IT) to the agriculture sector of the state.

Construction work of e-Kisan Bhawan is in progress in 324 blocks out of the total 534 blocks in the state, Agriculture minister Renu Kumari told PTI.

She added that rest 210 blocks would be covered in 2011- 12 annual plan.

To be equipped with genset and internet connection, the e-Kisan bhawan would act as a information and advisory centre for farmers, she said.

It would also work as a soil testing lab, training centre, will provide weather information, among others, the minister said.

Besides, these centres would also function as plant protection centres, Kumari said, adding farmers are excited to have the latest facilities at their door-steps.

The target is to have sophisticated centres in each block headquarters by the end of 2011-12, she said.

Launched in 2008-9 the programme is a pet project of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who is making efforts to revolutionise agriculture, which employs three out of four people in the state, she said.

The state government formulated a roadmap for agriculture and allied sectors in 2008 to ensure food security through increased productivity combined with profitability.

Part of the services of these centres would be through public-private partnership mode and part directly financed, the minister added. Rs 25 lakh per centre is proposed to be the capital expenditure.