Agriculture remains a vital sector of the Indian economy, supporting rural livelihoods, ensuring food security, and contributing significantly to national income. In this context, the Government of India has introduced several agricultural development programmes aimed at enhancing productivity, stabilizing farm income, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. The present study critically examines the implementation and outcomes of major agricultural development programmes in Bhagalpur district of Bihar, with a focus on their effectiveness at the grassroots level. The study adopts a descriptive and analytical research design based on both primary and secondary data. Primary data were collected from 120 farmers across six development blocks of Bhagalpur district through structured interview schedules, while recent government reports and agricultural records were used as secondary sources. The findings reveal that the overall implementation of agricultural development programmes in the district is moderate. About 68.3% of the respondents benefited from input subsidy schemes and 61.7% from the Soil Health Card scheme, whereas coverage under irrigation development (38.3%) and crop insurance schemes (45.8%) remained relatively low. Participation in government programmes resulted in tangible improvements in farming outcomes, as 54.2% of farmers reported an increase in crop productivity with yield gains ranging between 10–18%, and 49.2% experienced an increase in annual farm income. Crop insurance contributed to income stability for 45.8% of the respondents. Statistical analysis using Chi-square and t-tests confirms that agricultural development programmes have a significant positive impact on productivity and income, while also revealing significant differences in benefits across farmer categories. Medium farmers derived greater advantages compared to small and marginal farmers due to better access to information, resources, and institutional support. However, the study also highlights persistent challenges such as administrative delays, procedural complexities, limited awareness, inadequate irrigation coverage, and socio-economic constraints. The study concludes that although agricultural development programmes have improved agricultural outcomes in Bhagalpur district, targeted interventions, simplified procedures, and farmer-centric implementation strategies are essential to ensure inclusive and sustainable agricultural development.