Shri Ram Nath Thakur, born on 3 March 1950 in Karpoori Gram, Samastipur, Bihar, is a senior leader of the Janata Dal (United) and son of the legendary socialist leader Late Shri Karpoori Thakur. A graduate of Patna University, he began his political career in the Bihar Legislative Council in 1988 and later served as Minister of Sugarcane Industries, Revenue & Land Reforms, Law, and Information & Public Relations in the Government of Bihar. Elected to the Rajya Sabha in 2014 and re-elected in 2020, he has contributed significantly to rural development, social justice, and farmer welfare. On 11 June 2024, he was appointed as Union Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare in the Government of India, continuing his lifelong commitment to empowering farmers and strengthening India’s agrarian economy.
Present | Union Minister of State, Government of India
🏛️ Government of India, Cabinet of Prime Minister Narendra Modi
🧾 Ministry & Department:
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW)
🤝 Portfolio: Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
🌾 Focus Areas:
Strengthening farmer cooperatives and rural credit systems
Enhancing crop insurance and organic farming promotion
Accelerating implementation of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)
Advocating sustainable and value-based agriculture
💬 Represents Bihar’s rural voice in national agricultural policy
Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha – 2nd Term)
🏛️ Parliament of India — Rajya Sabha, Bihar
🧾 Committee Memberships:
Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment
Committee on Government Assurances
🌍 Continued to work on social equity, empowerment, and inclusive rural development
Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha – 1st Term)
🏛️ Parliament of India — Rajya Sabha representing Bihar
🧾 Department / Committees:
Standing Committee on Rural Development
Committee on Subordinate Legislation
Consultative Committee for Ministry of Agriculture
🌾 Advocated central support for Bihar’s agrarian and rural welfare programs
🎤 Represented socialist principles at the national level through Janata Dal (United) (JDU)
Cabinet Minister, Government of Bihar
📅 Tenure: 24 November 2005 – 26 November 2010
🏛️ Government of Bihar under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar
🧾 Departments Held:
Revenue & Land Reforms
Law Department
Information & Public Relations Department
💼 Oversaw modernization of land records, introduced digital record-keeping pilot programs
📣 Promoted transparent governance through information and media reforms
🏆 Recognized for his administrative simplicity and integrity
Entry into Legislative Politics
📅 Joined: Bihar Legislative Council
🏛️ Government of Bihar
🧾 Department association: Legislative Council Affairs
🗣️ Advocated strongly for farmer rights and land reforms in legislative debates
🌾 Worked on cooperative initiatives for sugarcane farmers and rural industries
Entry into Legislative Politics
📅 Joined: Bihar Legislative Council
🏛️ Government of Bihar
🧾 Department association: Legislative Council Affairs
🗣️ Advocated strongly for farmer rights and land reforms in legislative debates
🌾 Worked on cooperative initiatives for sugarcane farmers and rural industries
Political Foundation in Bihar
🗳️ Entered active politics inspired by socialist ideals and the Janata Party legacy
📢 Began public work focusing on rural upliftment, education, and farmers’ welfare
🏛️ Built local reputation as a grounded leader connected with grassroots issues in north Bihar
Early Life & Education
📍 Birthplace: Karpoori Gram, Samastipur District, Bihar
👨👩👦 Family: Son of legendary socialist leader and former Chief Minister of Bihar, Late Shri Karpoori Thakur
🎓 Education: Graduated from Patna University, Bihar
🌾 Deeply influenced by socialist ideology, simplicity, and the rural development vision of his father
🕊️ Early involvement in community service and cooperative movements in Samastipur region