BASIC   INFORMATION:

                              
Nuapada district has a geographical area of 340808 ha out of which 189178 ha is cultivable area. Major crops grown in the district are paddy, other cerals, pulses, ground nut, sugarcane, vegitable and spices. Paddy is mainly grow on low land area (100%), medium and high land (40%). The rest 60% of medium and high lands are used for growing other crops i.e. minor millets, pulses, Oil seeds and spices. Cotton is grown in small patch. There are 96068 agricultural families are existing in the district.

Among the total cultivated land the extent of high, medium and low land describe the quality of land available and cropping pattern is best suited to. Most of low land have irrigation potential either through perennial streams or seasonal. In the year 2005-06 the high lands constituted 44.99%, medium land 39.33% and low land 15.73 %. The percentage of change in the cultivated area in Nuapada during 1994 to 2005 is given the table below.

Percentage change in cultivated area in Nuapada district: (‘000 ha)

There is a considerable decline in high land area (-11.11%) followed by low land area (-3.45%). The medium land area has increased by 18.64%. Although composition of land has changed over the period 1994 and 2004, the total cultivated land remains unchanged. The increased in area of medium land mostly due to land development activities promoted by various government programmes as well as efforts made by private initiatives.

Block wise workforce of the district:

Source: District Statistical Handbook 2001
The table above shows that more than 80% of the total workforce on date is dependent upon agriculture and allied sectors for their livelihood. Majorities are engaged in agriculture sector as labourers (45%) and only 32% as cultivators having own land. About 12% of the total workforce finds place somewhere other than agriculture and allied sectors which can be taken back if this sector is proved to be capable enough to provide and generate that much man days.

Operational Holding

Source: District Statistical Handbook 2001
The facts revealed in the table above say that a major chunk (41%) of the cultivated land goes to the ST population in the district and 9 % under SC farmers. It can also be seen that 590 farmers possess more than 10 ha (25 acres) of landed property. If 10 percent of them are rightly identified for taking up cultivation with Farming System Approach remarkable identity can be created that will certainly inspire a lot many farmers of the district. These can be landmarks in agriculture development along with varieties of initiatives for the small and marginal farmers.

Soil difference and fertility status:

H – High, M – Medium, L – Low,                       Source – Soil Chemist, Bhawanipatna

Facts in the table above clearly shows that more than 50% of the soil is in different blocks is either acidic or alkaline leaving a portion of about 42% as normal. Almost 30% soil is acidic in nature, highest in Nuapada i.e, 49%. Equal proportion shows alkalinity (30%), highest in Khariar i.e, 50%. Specific measures can be suggested for reclamation of these soils and appropriate crops are to be taken up in the cropping programme for better performance. Fertility index reflects high residue of Potash in soils of Khariar, Boden, Komna and Nuapada blocks and invariably all the soils show low degree of Phosphate availability.

UTILISATION OF IRRIGATION FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES: -

Irrigation water for 42575 hectare and 45295 hectare was available during 2007and 2008 kharif respectively from different sources of irrigation. The detail of irrigation is given below:-          
           Source-wise Irrigation: -   
                                                                                                  (Area in ha.)

N.B:- % of irrigation during kharif-2007 -         22.50
          % of irrigation during kharif-2008   -      23.94

Fertilizer consumption:     
The consumption of fertilizer in term of NPK was 43.07 & 50.41 kg/ha. during kharif-2007 & 2008 respectively against the target of 52.26 and 54.91kg/ha. The consumption of NPK increased by 7.34 kg/ha. during kharif-2008 which was mostly due to effective distribution system through the Service Cooperative Societies and Retail outlets under private sector. Where as in Rabi 2007-08 the consumption was 38.25 kg./ ha and 2008-09 20.52Kg/ha.

Year wise and block wise fertilizer consumption of Nuapada district in terms of NPK in Kg /hect during Kharif from the year 2005-to 2009:

Year wise and block-wise fertilizer consumption of Nuapada district in terms of NPK
in Kg/hect during Rabi from the year 2005 to 2009

Area, Production and Productivity of Field Crops
(Area in 000 ha. P = 000 mt, Y = Kg/ha)

Source – Orissa Agricultural Statistics 2004-05

As the table above reflects that the area under maize shows increasing trend and all the other major cereals including paddy remains same. 2002-03 being a drought year shows exceptional figures. Taking into consideration the years 2003-04 and 04-05 it shows a decline in the yield of kharif paddy and increase in rabi paddy. Wheat as a crop shows less approval by the localities as regards to area and yield. Amongst the cereals Maize and Ragi find better place in the cropping programme during kharif showing increasing trend in area and yield. As regards pulse crops Mung and Biri area shows negative trend in coverage whereas Gram and Arhar area is increasing over these years under consideration. The performance of the pulse crops shows an increasing trend except in case of Arhar. All the oilseed crops like Groundnut, Sessamum, Mustard and castor show an increase in the area covered during these years. The figures show that groundnut performs better in kharif and castor and sessamum performs better in Rabi. Mustard is solely taken during rabi showing increase in Yeild. As regards to fiber crops the fact thus reveals a stagnant behavior in respect to area and yield excepting cotton.

Comparative Statement of Productivity of Major Crops:

Source – Orissa Agriculture Statistics 2004-05

The comparative statement in the above table shows that the paddy and maize crops are performing better than the state average. Groundnut shows a similar performance. Facts in the above table tempt to go for in depth research on these areas as far as the varieties and cultivation practices adopted in the crops. Strategic directions are to be provided for expansion of area and sustainability of the performance in the district with respect to paddy, maize and groundnut.

Area, Production and Productivity of different Paddy crops for the year 2006 to 2008

From the above table it is very clear that the productivity of paddy is generally around 19 qntl/ha. But in the year 2007 the productivity was 27.36 qntls/ha. The productivity of paddy has decreased from 27.36 qntls/ha in 2007 to 19.44 qntls/ha in 2008.

The yield from high and medium land is very low due to non-adoption of suitable technology, cropping pattern and continuation with traditional method of cultivation. These lands can be utilized with scientific technology like dry land technology with suitable cropping pattern and soil and moisture conservation.

Block wise and year wise crop intensity for the year 2003-2008 of Nuapada district:

The cropping intensity has increased form 102.86 in the year 2003 to 132.99 in the year 2008.

Year wise Seed Replacement Rate ( SRR)   in %  
 

The seed replacement ration has increased from 7.52 in 2003 to 39.43 in 2009. It is a good indicator of productivity.

Farm mechanization:

Farm mechanization, i.e. use of modern implements for various agricultural operation is the key factor for the successful implementation of intensive farming system. Mechanising the agricultural operations especially during peak labour load period will enable timely completion of various operation and increase in farm output. The impact of above features of mechanization will facilitate adoption of multiple cropping and use of yield increasing technology.

Around 40% of the total cultivable area are small land holdings of 2 ha and below with potential power tillers and related implements. There is potential for tractor and bigger machinery like rotavator, combine harvestor etc for the bigger land holdings.

Fund flow in Agriculture under various schemes:

Strategy:

Agriculture in the district is mainly rain fed.  To overcome the impact of uncertain rainfall assured irrigation facility need to be proved to increase the agricultural productivity.  The need of the hour is for the diversification of crops and proper management of rain water as well as ground water.  The farmers need to be motivated for the drought resistance crops and intercropping, which acts as an insurance against crop failure and maintains the nutrient level in the soil.

Though the average annual rainfall of Nuapada is about 1000 mm, which is considered to be a good rainfall, its high variability severely affects the crops. Facilities for assured irrigation must be created. Irrigation dams check dams, percolation tanks must be under taken on extensive basis. The good ground water potential can be harvested through sustainable use of ground water.

Moreover, following strategies have been formulated for implementation of different programmes in the field successfully.

1. Increasing production & productivity of paddy through the use of certified high yielding & hybrid varieties of seeds, balanced application of plant nutrients, adoption of IPM measures and regular pest surveillance.         
2. Increasing per hectare consumption of chemical fertilizer along with organic & bio-fertilizers to boost up the production level of different crops.
3. Pre-positioning and timely supply of agriculture inputs like seed, fertilizer & pesticides etc.
4. Emphasis will be given for mixed cropping especially Paddy +Arhar, Groundnut+Arhar & Maize+Arhar.
5. Extension of area under D.C.P.     . More remunerative crops like Pulses,Oil-seed,Vegetables to be  grown replacing the low remunerative crops like high land paddy.
6. More emphasis will be given in transmitting the SRI methodology of paddy cultivation among the farmers.
7. Early sowing of short & medium duration paddy varieties to escape from dry-spell.
8. Emphasis on Farm Mechanization: -    To increase    the profit on farming emphasis has been given on  use of improved agriculture implements and machineries to reduces the  cost of cultivation.    
9.  Emphasis on use of Bio-fertiliser,Bio-pesticides and Bio- agent in field  crops to improve the soil  health condition and to protect the beneficial Micro-organism .                                                    
10. As the district has more upland about 70 %  is generally acidic in nature. For soil amendment of  acid  soil emphasis is  being given in applying paper  mill sludge  .
11. To boost up the productivity /oil- content of cash crop like Groundnut, Gypsum being provided to the farmers at subsidized rate.
12. Effective transmission of production technology through T & V programmes and field demonstrations on SRI and Improved package of practices to boost up paddy production.
13. Strengthening of Pani Panchayats for effective utilization of irrigation water.
14. Training of farmwomen for active participation on agriculture development.
15. Opening of additional Seed Sale Center at G.P. level for easy availability of the seeds as per the farmers’ package announced by  Hon’ble Chief Minister,Orissa. The certified seeds will be supplied to loanee under ‘B’ Component of crop loan through PACS.
16. Opening of retail outlets for easy availability of fertilizer at village level through private retailer, SHG, Pani Panchayat and GKM.
17. Expansion of Maize, Groundnut and Cotton area in the uplands.
18. To Explore the ground water potential through installation of bore-well, dug-well and river lift projects under Jalanidhi schemes.
19.  Motivation of Non-loanee farmers to go for crop insurance .
20.  Popularizations of soil health analysis.
21.  Emphasis will laid on cultivation of cash crop/vegetables/up season vegetable crops.
22.  For the production of certified seeds of desired varieties and to meet the growing demand   of the district, Seed Village schemes of different crops in compact patch are being popularized.       
23. Establishment of vermicompost Hatchery at each Block Head quarter                                                                                                          
24. Vermi Compost Unit at G.P. level is being encouraged for                                       Popularizing Organic Farming in Vegetables/Spices crops.
25. Efficiency transfer of technology to every farm families through training, Field visit, training to farm women.

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