Agriculture And Irrigation In Odisha

Learning Outcomes:

1. Understanding of Odisha’s diverse agricultural sectors and their contributions.
2. Insight into the cropping seasons, major crops, and their geographical distribution.
3. Comprehension of agro-climatic zones and their impact on agriculture.
4. Knowledge of Odisha’s irrigation infrastructure and government initiatives.

Agricultural Landscape of Odisha
Odisha’s agriculture constitutes around 30% of the state’s Net Domestic Product. With 40% of the total geographical area under cultivation, it has experienced success in enhancing crop production, food security, and farmers’ income. Paddy is the most cultivated crop, followed by pulses, oilseeds, and fibre crops. Cash crops like jute and sugarcane hold significant importance, with newer crops like cashew, rubber, and tea also emerging.

Cropping Seasons in Odisha
Odisha follows three main cropping seasons influenced by the Indian climate:

1. Kharif Season: Begins with pre-monsoon rains in June-July, and crops are harvested in September-October. Major crops: paddy, jowar, millets, maize, groundnut, jute, cotton, pulses.
2. Rabi Season: Starts in November and lasts till April, depending on sub-soil moisture and irrigation. Rabi crops are economically crucial. Major crops: wheat, gram, oilseeds.
3. Zaid Season: This intermediate summer season is for short-duration crops. Major crops: moong, urad, watermelon.

Major Crops of Odisha
Odisha’s climate is conducive to a wide range of crops, from staples to cash crops.

1. Rice: Primarily grown in coastal plains and river valleys, contributing one-tenth of India’s rice production. Major districts: Cuttack, Sambalpur, Puri, Ganjam, Balasore.
2. Pulses: Divided into Kharif and Rabi varieties. Major districts: Cuttack, Puri, Kalahandi.
3. Food Grains: Include cereals, millets, and pulses. Besides rice, ragi, maize, wheat, bajra are cultivated in uplands and plateaus.
4. Oilseeds: Include sesame, groundnut, mustard; cultivated as Kharif and Rabi crops. Major districts: Balasore (mustard), Cuttack (groundnut).
5. Jute: A significant Kharif crop competing with rice for similar soil and climate. Major districts: Cuttack, Balasore, Puri.
6. Sugarcane: Odisha is India’s eighth-largest producer. Grows well in irrigated regions. Major districts: Cuttack, Sambalpur, Puri.
7. Cashew: Grown extensively in the foothills of the Eastern Ghats. Major districts: Koraput, Kandhamal.
8. Cotton: Suitable for Koraput, Balangir, Kalahandi.
9. Tea: Thrives in the Eastern Ghats and mountainous areas. Major districts: Phulbani, Koraput.
10. Rubber: Grown in non-traditional areas like Cuttack, Ganjam due to suitable agro-climatic conditions.
11. Spices: Turmeric and ginger are widely grown by tribal farmers. Major districts: Kandhamal, Gajapati.
12. Coconut: Predominantly cultivated in coastal areas. Major districts: Cuttack, Puri, Khurda.

Agro-Climatic Zones in Odisha
Odisha is divided into ten agro-climatic zones, influenced by climate, soil, rainfall, and topography.

Horticulture and Floriculture
Odisha’s agro-climatic diversity supports various horticultural activities, including fruit, vegetable, and flower production.

1. Fruits: Long-duration fruits like mango, coconut grow extensively. Short-duration fruits like banana, papaya are common.
2. Vegetables: Major producers of brinjals, cabbage, tomatoes. Grown in Koraput, Kandhamal.
3. Floriculture: Cultivation of flowers like rose, jasmine has grown, particularly in Khordha, Ganjam.

Important Note: The State Potato Mission aims to achieve self-sufficiency in potato production through focused cultivation and storage infrastructure.

Irrigation in Odisha
Odisha’s irrigation infrastructure is essential to support its agrarian economy, with projects spanning major, medium, and minor scales.

1. Sources of Irrigation:

• Wells and Tubewells: Major source, covering 65.76% of irrigated areas.
• Canals and Ponds: Provide irrigation to 19.98% of the net irrigated area, though their usage is declining due to cost and time constraints.

1. Irrigation Projects: Major projects contribute to a total irrigation potential of 37.84 lakh hectares (Kharif) and 18.07 lakh hectares (Rabi).

• Hirakud Multipurpose Project: Located on the Mahanadi River; crucial for Kharif and Rabi irrigation.
• Upper Indravati Multipurpose Project: Features four dams and embankments for reservoir management in Kalahandi.
• Subarnarekha Project: Includes associated structures like Chandil Dam and Icha Dam.

1. Government Initiatives for Irrigation:

• Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY): Focuses on water resource management, implemented through Odisha Watershed Development Mission.
• Biju Krushak Vikash Yojana (BKVY): Aims to revitalize minor irrigation projects through community participation.
• Odisha State Water Policy: Established in 2007, focusing on equitable use of water resources.

Government Schemes for Agricultural Development

1. National Mission on Agriculture Extension and Technology (NMAET): Implemented in four sub-missions: mechanization, extension, seed and planting material, plant protection.
2. National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA): Aims at soil health management, water management, rainfed area development.
3. Biju Krushaka Kalyan Yojana (BKKY): Provides health and accident insurance to farm families.
4. Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY): Focuses on boosting agriculture through the implementation of 620 projects across 24 agencies.
5. National Horticulture Mission (NHM): Covers 30 districts, developing nine major horticultural crops.

Important Note: The State Agricultural Policy, 2013 seeks to transition from subsistence farming to profitable commercial agriculture, emphasizing crop diversification and sustainable methods.

Agro-Parks and Food Processing Zones
Odisha promotes export-quality agricultural production through agro-parks:

Agricultural Institutions in Odisha

1. Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment: Includes Directorates of Agriculture, Horticulture, Soil Conservation.
2. Odisha State Cashew Development Corporation: Focuses on cashew plantation and technical guidance.
3. Agricultural Promotion and Investment Corporation (APICOL): Promotes commercial agri-enterprises and irrigation infrastructure.
4. Odisha Agro Industries Corporation (OAIC): Markets agricultural inputs like fertilizers, pesticides, and farm machinery.
5. Odisha State Seeds Corporation (OSSC): Nodal agency for seed production, procurement, and supply.
6. Research Institutes: Include Central Rice Research Institute (Cuttack), focusing on technological innovation in agriculture.

Important Note: Pani Panchayat Act, 2002 regulates water usage

for irrigation, promoting optimal use and participation by farmers.

Multi-Column Table for Comparative Analysis

One MCQ:
Which crop holds the largest cultivated area in Odisha?:

1. Wheat
2. Rice
3. Pulses
4. Sugarcane
   Correct Answer: 2. Rice