Agriculture Policy

Watershed Development
Watershed Development is one of the priority areas for the State. Odisha has been one of the pioneers in demonstrating successful watershed development programme. The focus of this development programme is to conserve soil and moisture as well as to put lands to the best use according to their capabilities to improve the overall productivity of the catchment in a holistic manner. The process of watershed development involves co-ordinated multi-disciplinary activities of and expertise from several Departments. In order to achieve better co-ordination in planning, implementation and supervision in watershed programme, Government of Odisha has set up a separate mission named Orissa Watershed Development Mission.
Under the DFID – assisted Western Odisha Rural Livelihood Project (WORLP), “Watershed-plus” approach has been successfully adopted wherein, in addition to area development, livelihood component has also been implemented. Livelihood component of the ‘Watershed-plus’ approach will be extended to all watershed projects in the State under the scheme “Jeebika”. Community based organizations such as Self-Help Groups (SHG), User Groups (UG) and Common Interest Groups (CIG) evolved under Watershed Development Programme will be suitably strengthened. Watershed Associations will be entrusted with suitable responsibilities such as distribution of seeds and other inputs in the project area.
Farm ponds will be dug in the farms of individual farmers through the Watershed Associations. The small and marginal farmers will avail the facility free of cost while the other farmers will have to contribute 50% of the cost of such pond to the Watershed Association.

Rainfed Agriculture
Orissa has vast areas under rainfed agriculture and therefore rainfed farming technology will be the fulcrum of the future development in the agricultural sector. These regions are also the backward regions where poverty is more pronounced. It is, therefore, imperative to initiate a programme of inclusive development for rainfed agriculture in the State. Location specific recommendations for soil and moisture conservation and crop practice for dry lands are available, but these are not fully adopted by the farmers due to various constraints.
There is need for more vigorous efforts for development of dry lands on a watershed basis with wider adoption of the recommended practices to enhance crop yields.
Crops and varieties which are suitable for these regions will be identified and specific research efforts will be made to direct research towards short duration and drought tolerant varieties. More thrust would be given for rain water harvesting and watershed development.
Paddy is grown in about 8 lakh hectares of highland in the State which is un-remunerative as well as subject to the vagaries of nature. Farmers would be persuaded to raise light duty crops like oilseeds, pulses and horticultural plantations crops on such lands. Suitable incentives shall be provided for crop diversification.

Organic Farming
The chemical approach to productivity augmentation followed since mid-sixties has depleted the natural resource base for sustainable agricultural growth. The earlier technology has disturbed the biological composition, which might have lasting adverse impact on equilibrium. Unless the disturbed natural resource base equilibrium is restored, sustainable agricultural growth with competitive edge will not be possible. Restoration of soil health and fertility through appropriate organic package would be crucial. Specifically, the following policy steps will be implemented:

• Suitable incentive for Organic Farming will be provided to farmers harvesting organically certified crops.
• A drive will be launched for augmenting production and use of non-chemical fertilizer suited to different farming situations. This would need appropriate thrust on research and extension programmes.
• Organic Farming will be included in the syllabus as a subject at school level. It will also be introduced as a compulsory subject at degree level as well as Post Graduate level in the State Agricultural University.
• Organic Farming Systems will be identified for each agro-climatic region, scientifically analyzed and recommended through a special publication entitled Organic Package of Practices.
• Organic Seed Banks will be opened.
• Organic Farmers Association will be promoted in order to facilitate certification of the products.
• A separate agency would be set up for certification of organic products.