Agriculture Policy

Integrated Farming

Traditionally, Indian farmers adopted Integrated Farming System approach for their livelihood. With industrialization, farmers were forced to become commodity farmers. Though, agro-climatic conditions are primarily responsible for the existence of particular crops and cropping pattern, industrialization, commercialization and mechanization have also played a major role in farmers’ decision making for growing particular crop or adopting a particular farming system. Dairy farmers, poultry farmers, vegetable growers, fruit growers, bee keepers, mushroom farmers etc. became independent entrepreneurs, particularly around cities to explore the market potential to some extent. Farmers fortune thereafter start fluctuating with the market trends for a single commodity and their dependence for external inputs also increased.

In the commodity oriented market scenario, the focus is usually on a singular production system. Integrated approach, however, has several distinct advantages such as security against complete failure of a system, minimization of dependence for external inputs, optimum utilization of farm resource, efficient use of natural resources etc.

In order to minimize the risk of the farmers, integrated farming or farming system approach will be encouraged in the State. A proper combination of different farm production systems namely, agriculture, horticulture, livestock, poultry, agro-forestry, sericulture and pisciculture will be promoted.

Post Harvest Management

The objective of agricultural development includes not only enhancing the productivity of agriculture but also maximizing the value of the produce generated. Value addition to agricultural produce involves proper post harvest processing, grading, packing, transportation and storage. The poor handling of farm produce results in a loss of upto 30% of the produce. This also considerably reduces the value realized by the farmers. Provision of post harvesting, processing and storage facilities therefore, assume great importance in increasing the income levels of the farmers of the State.

• Absence of proper threshing facilities in the villages forces many farmers to use inefficient and unscientific methods of threshing. Steps would be taken to create ‘Community Threshing Yards’ to enable farmers to thresh their crops in time by using appropriate equipment.
• Non availability of scientifically desired threshing equipment forces farmers to use unscientific method of threshing with considerable crop damage. Facilities would be created in private sector for custom hiring of threshing equipment by providing upto 50% of the cost of equipment as subsidy. Self Help Group of farmers will be provided subsidy upto 75% for acquiring threshing equipment for various crops.
• Grading, packing and transportation of fruits, vegetables and flowers greatly add to the value of these commodities. At present, many farmers transport vegetables and fruits in bulk without any packing resulting in substantial deterioration of these commodities at the storage and sale points. To promote proper handling of vegetables and fruits individual farmers and farmers groups would be given intensive training. Farmers would be provided with subsidy to purchase crates and other equipments.
• Major storage facilities will be created at important market centres by Odisha State Agriculture Marketing Board to facilitate scientific storage of produce till it can be sold at remunerative prices.

Agri-Enterprises

APICOL (Agricultural Promotion & Investment Corporation of Odisha Ltd) has been formed with the intention of bringing enterprise into agriculture. The Corporation provides necessary information regarding the scope of commercial and export oriented agriculture in the State of Odisha. It formulates schemes for bankable projects, identifies entrepreneurs and guides and trains them. It provides escort services to houses engaged in agri-business. It also acts as a nodal agency for providing incentives to agro and food processing industries. APICOL will be suitably strengthened and restructured to make its functioning more effective.

In order to identify agro entrepreneurs, counsel them and train them, Krishi Sahayak Kendras (KSKs) are functioning in each district. District Agriculture Officers are functioning as Krishak Sahayaks. KSKs provide technical guidance to entrepreneurs in commercial agriculture, horticulture, floriculture, milk production, meat and egg production, fish production etc. In view of the increasing scope for agri-enterprise, KSKs will be appropriately professionalized.

Capital Investment Subsidy for setting up of agri-enterprises will be enhanced to 25% of the fixed capital cost (excluding the cost of the land) subject to the limit of Rs.25.00 lakh. Additional incentives will be given to SC/ST/Women agri-preneurs along with graduates of Agriculture & allied disciplines. The list of agri-enterprises eligible for Capital Investment Subsidy is enclosed (Annexure-II).