Input supplied to Prof. Biswapati Mandal,BCKV on Soil Health Assessment methods

Soil quality assessment methods

Three (3) types of soil quality assessment approaches are in vogue.

1.      Modeling based approach

2.      Indicator based approach

3.      Integrated approach

Modeling based approach

The models provide a tool for predicting the change in outcome caused by the changes in input parameters. By using land-evaluation models, it is possible to predict the rates and direction of many soil-quality changes.

The two principal land-evaluation modeling approaches are:

(i)                 Empirical-based modeling, and

(ii)              Process-based modeling.

The basic idea of empirical modeling for land evaluation is that observed relations are quantified and these once analyzed (i.e., in a limited number of locations) are applicable for predicting future situations. However, this will not work unless there are sufficient data on which to base the inferences, so the methodology is not appropriate for new land uses or areas from which sufficient samples have not been taken.

The process-based models for land evaluation have been basically developed to simulate the growth of crops, along with associated phenomena that influence crop growth such as water and solute movement in soil. These simulation models are deterministic and based on an understanding of the actual mechanisms, but used to include a large empirical component in their descriptions of subsystems. The so-called Wageningen models (e.g., WOFOST and CGMS) are based on soil processes and plant physiology to predict yields under several production levels.

 But, since soil formation and soil processes are function of climate, modeling based approach will not hold universally fitting, i.e., a model developed for a particular region will not hold true for a land situation under altogether different macro-climatic or, even, micro-climatic conditions.

Indicator based approach

Indicator based soil quality assessment is much more widely acceptable one than modeling based approach. Indicators can be physical, chemical, and biological properties, processes, or characteristics of soils. They can also be morphological or visual features of plants. Selection of suitable indicators is the cornerstone of this type of evaluation.

The selection of indicators should be based on,

(i)                 Land use,

(ii)              Relationship between an indicator and the soil function being assessed,

(iii)            Ease and reliability of the measurement,

(iv)            Variation between sampling times and variation across the sampling area,

(v)               Sensitivity of the measurement to changes in soil management,

(vi)            Compatibility with routine sampling and monitoring,

(vii)          Skills required for use and interpretation.

(viii)       Cost of analysis

The list of different indicators to choose from as suggested by USDA is as below,

Physical

·         Aggregate Stability 

·         Available Water Capacity 

·         Bulk Density 

·         Infiltration 

·         Slaking

·         Soil Crusts

·         Soil Structure and Macropores

Chemical Properties

·         Reactive Carbon 

·         Soil Electrical Conductivity 

·         Soil Nitrate 

·         Soil pH 

Biological Properties

·         Earthworms 

·         Particulate Organic Matter 

·         Potentially Mineralizable Nitrogen 

·         Soil Enzymes 

·         Soil Respiration 

·         Total Organic Carbon 

The weaknesses of this approach are,

1.      Working with a whole lot of indicators is arduous

2.      Extraction of a Minimum Data Set (MDS), since done by statistical procedures, is subjected heavily to sampling and analytical accuracy.

3.      This does not take into account the interrelation or interaction between two or more interrelated indicators.

4.      It is not farmers’ centric per se, i.e., farmers perspectives regarding quality of their soil is given less scope. Only ease of estimation of an indicator is considered from farmers’ viewpoint.

   

Integrated approach

Considering the onerous task of development of relationships between all the soil-quality indicators and the numerous soil functions, a stepwise agroecological approach for soil-quality evaluation and monitoring can be much effective as well as accurate as proposed by De la Rosa (2005).

This is done in two steps,

Step 1:

Land evaluation is an appropriate procedure for analyzing inherent soil quality from the point of view of long-term agroecological changes. Within this complex context, land-evaluation models may serve as a first step to develop a soil quality assessment procedure. The first step will result in defining agroecological zones, land suitability, and vulnerability classes.

Step 2:

A short-term evaluation and monitoring procedure would be basically considered for the soil biological quality in each agroecological zone defined in the first step. By measuring appropriate indicators, changes in soil dynamic quality can be assessed.

Because soil biological parameters are most variable and sensitive to management practices, a monitoring system (observed change over time) would provide information on the effectiveness of the selected farming system, land-use practices, technologies, and policies. Also, enzyme activities have been found to be very responsive to different agricultural management practices such as no-tillage. 

Because of the complex nature of the soil and its high spatial and temporal variability, it is appropriate to develop soil-quality assessment based on biological indicators after the traditional land evaluation using basically physicochemical parameters. This agroecological approach should focus on dynamic soil aspects (biological factors) but with awareness of inherent soil aspects (physical and chemical factors).

Graphical representation of a stepwise agroecological approach for soil-quality assessment

(Soil Quality and Methods for its Assessment: Diego De la Rosa and Ramon Sobral,  https://www.google.co.in/?gws_rd=ssl#q=Soil+Quality+and+Methods+for+its+Assessment:+Diego+De+la+Rosa+and+Ramon+Sobral)

General remarks

The issue I wish to drive in additionally emphasizing gaps in our understanding for assessment of soil health is that we possibly never take into consideration the ‘interaction’ between different indicators. To elaborate this issue I stress upon the fact that we make measurement of the static indicators. Especially in respect of soil physical and biological/ enzymatic aspects, the interactions among the indicators, though may play vital role in crop productivity function, remain completely overlooked. This, to my understanding, needs focus for the future workers through detailed discussion among the relevant scientists to unravel major areas of such interactions in the first place. This will possibly further entail significant overhauling of the measurement and assessment techniques currently in vogue.  

Ghorai Dipankar & Sen, H.S. (2015). Phosphorus cycle and the environmental concern. SFE Newsletter, 2, July, 2015. Society for Fertilizers and Environment

Phosphorus cycle and the environmental concern

The role of phosphorus particularly its essential use in agricultural farm land (nearly 82 % of various uses) from a non-renewable and limited global stock of rock phosphate has been a major concern from the point of view of its inappropriate use or mismanagement vis-a-vis significant losses in various forms leading not only to exhaust the present stock within a few decades but also to cause serious environmental problems. The total production of mined phosphate rock in short-medium term for agriculture and industry is 20 MMT of P per year, and the P demand likely to increase at an average rate of 2-3 % per year to result in peak production by 2040, and eventually the supply to fall short of demand within finite time frame. It is not far that the P reserves will be controlled by countries like Morocco, Senegal, Western Sahara, China, South Africa, Jordan and US while farmers from the rest of the world have to depend on the terms set by them - a geo-political factor. 

Fig. 1. The phosphorus cycle (Source: http://www.euwfd.com/html/sources_of_pollution_-_diffuse_pollution.html)

The P cycle (Fig. 1) shows major losses in the form of runoff and erosion, leaching through soil causing global epidemic of eutrophication in fresh water, estuarine and near shore ocean environments, loss in potable water resources, aquatic biodiversity and formation of large ocean “dead zones“. Using P more efficiently and recovering it for reuse should contribute to reducing such pollution. The global reserve of rock phosphate was estimated as above 60000 MMT towards the end of the last century. Most of the countries including India has however no policy to manage P as a critical global resource, like what the EU Water Framework Directive has, urgently requiring them to be developed, as urged by the Global Phosphorus Research Initiative, which should, in the first hand, ensure positive P balance in farm lands. The present status suggests, if we take into account applications of mineral fertilizers and manures, the balance from some Western European countries is positive, particularly in the Netherlands, where it exceeds 39 kg P ha^-1 each year (Liu et al., 2008). For other countries in the region, the value ranges from 8.7 to 17.5 kg P ha^-1 annually (Johnston and Steen, 2000). China also achieved a positive balance around 1980 at the national level, in parallel with increasing application of synthetic fertilizers (Wang et al., 1996; Jin and Portch, 2001). In 2000, the national surplus of P in Chinese soils was estimated at an average of 16 kg ha^-1 (Liu et al., 2007). The total P budget for world’s cropland estimated in 2004 suggests (Liu et al., 2008) in the form of annual fluxes (MMT P): Inputs 22.9, Removals 12.7, Losses 19.8, and finally the Balance -9.6. 

Literatures cited

1.       Jin, J.Y. and Portch,  S. (2001). Recent agricultural and fertilizer developments in China. Paper presented at IFA Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific, 10-13 December, Hanoi, Viet Nam.

2.       Johnston, A.E. and Steen, I. (2000). Understanding phosphorus and its use in agriculture. European Fertilizer Manufacturers Association (EFMA), Brussels, Belgium.

3.       Liu, Yi, Chen, J.N., Mol, A.P.J. and Ayres, R.U. (2007). Comparative analysis of phosphorus use within national and local economies in China. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 51(2): 454-474.

4.       Liu, Yi, Villaba, Ayres, R.U. and Schroder Hans (2008). Global phosphorus flows and environmental impacts from a consumption perspective. Journal of Industrial Ecology, 12(2): 229-247.

5.       Wang, Q.B., Halbrendt, C. and Johnston, S.R. (1996). Grain production and environmental management in China’s fertilizer economy. Journal of Environmental Management, 47(3): 283-296.   

Dipankar Ghorai¹ & HSSen²

1.       SMS (Agril.) & Incharge, KVK (ICAR-CRIJAF),

Budbud, Burdwan, Email:dipankarghoraikvk@gmail.com

2.       Former Director, ICAR-CRIJAF,

Email: hssen.india@gmail.com,hssen2000@hotmail.com

Prof. N.N.Panda Memorial Lecture by Dr. H.S.Sen and held at OUAT, Bhubaneswar, Odisha on 17 April 2015

Tapping of productivity potential of major crops and alleviating the adverse effect due to natural hazards through intervention on soil and water resources under different agro ecosystems in Odisha

H. S. Sen¹ and Dipankar Ghorai²

__________________________________________________________________

I pay my tribute to the departed soul of Prof. N.N.Panda, the doyen of agricultural science and research management of the country and Odisha in particular. This is a token and humble presentation in front of the family members of Prof. Panda and elites, educationists, academicians, research managers and scores of students present here in memory of the great soul.

__________________________________________________________________

1.     Salient Fatures of Odisha

·        Occupies 4.7 % of India’s Geographical Area

·        Inhabitants of 3.58 % human & 4.8% livestock of India’s

·        1451 mm average annual rainfall

·        10.4 % water resources

·        480 km coast length & 2400 sq. km continental shelf

·        10 Agro- climatic zones

·        Prone to frequent natural calamities such as flood, cyclone & drought (35 times in the last 45 years)

·        Rich biodiversity

·        Two out of 22 Agro-biodiversity hot spots (Koraput & Mayurbhanj) in the country

·        Three Biosphere Reserves (Bhitarakanika, Similipal & Chilka lake)

¹ Former Director, ICAR-Central Research Institute for Jute & Allied Fibres, Barrackpore, West Bengal, PIN 700 120 (Present address: 2/74 Naktala,, Kolkata 700 047), Email: hssen.india@gmail.com, hssen2000@hotmail.com

² Subject Matter Specialist and Incharge (Acting), Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Central Research Institute of Jute & Allied Fibres (ICAR), Burdwan, West Bengal, India -713403, Email: dipankarghoraikvk@gmail.com

2.     Odisha – The Agriculture Scenario

2.1  SWOT Analysis

Strengths

(i)                Ten agro-climatic zones

(ii)             Abundant inland water

(iii)           Favourable terrain for water reservoirs and power generation

(iv)           Diverse forest wealth

(v)             Low cost of living

(vi)           Long coastline

Weakness

(i)         Poor soil quality

(ii)      Inadequate farm power availability

(iii)           Low level of irrigation

(iv)           Low fertilizer usage

(v)      Low seed replacement ratio

(vi)           Low productivity

(vii)        Poor post-harvest management

(viii)      Poor marketing, transport and physical infrastructure facilities

Opportunity

(i)                Very good scope for watershed development

(ii)             Scope for mixed/integrated farming

(iii)           Ample horticultural potential in highlands

(iv)           Opportunity for crop diversification

(v)             Scope for organic manure production for availability large no of livestock

(vi)           Development  of  inward,  brackish  water  and marine fisheries

(vii)        Abundant   water   resources   for   irrigation

Threat

(i)    Recurrence of natural calamities likely to be intensified over time due to climate change

(ii)    Improper water management systems

(iii)        Declining agriculture’s contribution to GSDP

(iv)        Reducing area under cultivation

(v)    Increasing erosion and degradation of soil

2.2  Overview of Agriculture in the State

2.21 Agro-climatic zones of Odisha

The state is broadly classified in four (4) broad zones based on topography

Topographic Regions	Agro-Climatic Zones	% of Area to Total Area
COASTAL PLAIN	Major Parts of ACZ-3 and   ACZ-4	10
MIDDLE MOUNTANEOUS & HIGH LAND REGION	ACZ- 1, ACZ-2(Part), ACZ-5, ACZ-6 (Part), ACZ- 7 & ACZ- 10	70
CENTRAL PLATEAU	Parts of   ACZ -2 &   ACZ-6	5
WESTERN ROLLING UPLANDS	Major   Parts of ACZ   - 8 & ACZ-9	15

Percent distribution of ACZs:

No.	Distribution	Percent area	No.	Distribution	Percent area
ACZ 1	North Western Plateau	10.0	ACZ 6	Eastern Ghat High Land	8.0
ACZ 2	North Central Plateau	11.5	ACZ 7	South Eastern Ghat	4.5
ACZ 3	North Eastern Coastal Plain	6.0	ACZ 8	Western Undulating Zone	7.5
ACZ 4	East & South Eastern Coastal Plain	13.0	ACZ 9	Western Central Table Land	16.0
ACZ 5	North Eastern Ghat	15.0	ACZ 10	Mid Central Table Land	8.5

2.22 Land Use Pattern

•         Large area is under forest (36 %)

•         Cultivable area and cultivable waste comprise of 41 % area

•         Significant area under barren land (6 %)

•         Homestead land occupies 8 % of the area

The distribution of land holding for cultivation shows more than 90% area are marginal while small holding comprises about 70% of area

2.23 Major Crops and their Productivity

Areas under rice, wheat and maize are 4004.54, 14.49 and 262.05 thousand hectares, respectively having yield potentiality of 1472, 1686 and 2321 kg ha^-1, respectively. Among the pulses areas under mung and biri comprise of 799.68 and 590.56 thousand hectares with average yield of 414 and 418 kg ha^-1, respectively. Among the vegetables potato, onion, chilli, garlic, ginger and turmeric are the principal ones; and the areas for other vegetables grown in the State is 597 thousand hectare with average total yield of 14,210 kg ha^-1.

This is disconcerting that the contribution of agriculture and other activities to GSDP in constant prices decreased from 29.7 % in 2001-05 (average) to 20.6 % in 2010-11.  This appears to be mainly due to relatively much higher contribution made through service and infrastructure sectors. Perusal of data on agricultural growth over the entire period shows however that the area is gradually decreasing, although slightly, while productivity is remaining almost constant. But, the problem actually remains with total production which is fluctuating wildly. While comparing with the national data on productivity since 1970’s shows that the gap is increasing with time, with the State not able to catch up with  all India average, except for cotton and sugarcane.

2.24 Power Consumption

Adding to the woos the percent power consumption for agricultural sector in the State drops from above 3 in early 2000’s to below 1.5 in 2012-13, which is certainly not encouraging in order to attain higher target yield in future. The main reason ascribed is the lack of dedicated electric feeder ensuring power supply for agricultural purpose especially to mega lift points.

In contrast, not only use of electrical power in agriculture in increasing at the national level, there is staggering disparity in the same considering use of power being in the range of 20-30% of total power at national level, while in Odisha the same range is only 1 – 3%.  Odisha is at the very bottom when it comes to use of mechanical power in agriculture, in comparison even with lowlying states like Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Chattisgarh, etc.

2.25 Irrigation Scenario

The gross irrigated area during 2012-13 was 33.66 lakh ha (21.87 lakh ha during kharif and 11.79 lakh ha during rabi) which is 71.5% of the irrigation potential created. On an average, 29.5% area in Odisha is irrigated as compared to 40% at national level, only exception is sugarcane which is 100% irrigated, while for cotton it is abysmally low.

2.26 Fertilizer Consumption

Odisha uses only 62 kg N, P and K fertilizers per hectare as compared to 129 kg at national level. Soils are medium to low in soil fertility, and when indexed in terms of soil quality it is worrisome as compared to some other states. 

2.27 Soil Erosion vis-a-vis Shifting Cultivation

The quantum of soil erosion varies from 84 to 170 t/ha/ year in bare fallow. In India, about 5.0 million tribal families are practising this system (shifting cultivation) on 4.37 million hectare of land covering 11 states. Odisha having a large no of tribal families and is the forerunner among Indian states. The problem of soil erosion due to shifting cultivation is very serious in Odisha.  It has been estimated from an experiment that, on an average 7-10 t/ ha/ year surface soil is lost along with plant nutrients.

3.     Disaster Vulnerability

Disaster events in various forms are very common in the State calling for major thrust to be paid for advance and contingency planning to mitigate the hazards. Multi-hazard maps have been prepared for Odisha.

3.1 Flood

•         In Odisha, the entire coastal line of 482 km is exposed to frequent flood and water logging in most of the years.

•         Heavy rainfall on the hills of Odisha and flood waters of Jharkhand and Chattisgarh contribute to flood in coastal lines and deltaic areas of the state.

•         High degree of siltation, soil erosion, breaching of embankments and tidal flow of sea restricting disposal of flood water aggravates flood.

Assessment of crop damages due to flood has been made as follows.

Early season flood (June-July)

•         Damage of paddy in nursery, standing crop of vegetables, pulses and oilseeds.

•         Early-transplanted and standing direct sown paddy is affected by flood.

Mid-Season flood (August-September)

•         Incidence of pest and diseases to standing crop that escaped or resisted flood.

•         Damage of upland non paddy crops like vegetables, pulses and oilseeds at fruiting stage.

•         Damage of short duration paddy at maturity stage and medium and late duration paddy at growth stage.

Late-season flood (October-November)

•         Lodging and germination of grains in the field.

•         Incidence of disease and pest in crops that escaped or resisted water logging.

•         High value vegetables are also affected.

•         Grain discolouration and quality deterioration.

3.2 Drought

Frequency of meteorological drought between 1960-2003 based on departure of actual annual rainfall has been worked out.

Undivided Districts	Drought Frequency between 1960-2003
	MOD	SEVERE
Dhenkanal	9	1
Cuttack	9	0
Puri	7	1
Balasore	11	0
Phulbani	14	1
Koraput	3	0
Kalahandi	4	2
Keonjhar	11	0
Ganjam	5	0
Mayurbhanj	7	0
Sambalpur	10	1
Sundargarh	18	2
Bolangir	16	2

3.3 Cyclones/ High winds

Following are the risks involved.

•         The crops are submerged due to heavy downpours associated with a cyclonic weather which is worsened by the impact of high wind.

•         The crops at flowering and fruiting stage are affected to a greater extent due to lodging and shattering of pollens, many a times complete damage of the crop.

•         There is problem of sand casting in the coastal areas.

•         There is also risk of saline inundation due to sea water ingression in the coastal tracts.

•         The supporting infrastructures are likely to suffer severe damage impairing the restorative measures.

•         The loss to life and properties are so great that the restoration of agriculture is relegated to a lower priority.

•         The disruption of communication, power and transport is likely to delay the restorative efforts and require large funds and co-ordination of all functionaries.

There are as many as 12 events of major cyclones during 1970-2003. The impacts of super-cyclone in 1999 on different districts show that 97 blocks (12 districts) have been affected damaging lands and crops grown on over 1733000 ha area, besides a colossal damage to lives and properties.

4.     Strategies for Tapping the Crop Productivity Potential through Soil and Water Management vis-à-vis Disaster Vulnerability

4.1                           Soil Fertility and Quality Management

(i)                Farmers should be encouraged to get soil samples of their holding tested once in three years.

(ii)             More Soil Testing Laboratories, both static and mobile.

(iii)           Soil amelioration amendments should be made available to farmers at affordable prices.

(iv)           Cultivation of green manure crops like Dhanicha, Sunnhemp should be promoted extensively by making available seeds and technical know-how to the farmers.

(v)             Production and use of composts, like vermicompost or NADEP compost, should be incentivized.

(vi)           Resource conserving technologies, like SRI, should be promulgated extensively.

(vii)        State should launch a drive towards green and clean agriculture with major emphasis on organic soil amendments. Simultaneously, steps should also be taken to increase fertilizer consumption for augmenting productivity. 

4.2  Soil Erosion Management

A. Physical: Infrastructural

 (i)    Contour bunding

(ii)    Graded bunding

(iii)   Bench terracing

(iv)   Contour ditches

(v)     Grassed water ways-spill ways

(vi)      Water harvesting structures, ponds.

B. Agronomic : Management Practices

 (i)   Contour plowing : Plowing across the slope

(ii)   Selection of crop variety

(iii)  Integrated nutrient management including more organics and Bio-fertilizers.

4.3       Improving Productivity of Rice Fallows

Nine (9) districts in Odisha are under Rice- Fallow system, viz., Koraput, Kalahandi, Sambalpur, Sundergarh, Bhadrak, Cuttack, Puri, Dhenkanal and Mayurbhanj.  Following may be strategies for these areas.

•         31% of area under kharif rice remains fallow during rabi offering a huge potential niche for short season pulses and oilseed crops.

•         Their productive utilization can overcome many social and economic problems of the region like unemployment, labour migration, and low income.

•         Development and popularization of improved varieties of pulses and oilseeds suiting to rice fallows of different agro-ecological regions coupled with improved agro-technology will boost production, and thus improve income and livelihood security of farming community.

4.4         Water Management - Irrigation

•         Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM) should be promoted among the farming community through the Water Users’ Associations .

•         Ensuring power supply for agricultural purpose especially to mega lift points.

•         Solar powered pump set are to be popularized and suitably subsidized

•         Micro irrigation has to be promoted in a big way in the State by providing lucrative subsidies

•         Community reservoirs, on farm reservoirs should be excavated for rainwater harvesting under designated govt. schemes.

4.5 Water Management - Others

•         GIS mapping of groundwater resource for micro level planning.

•          Microlevel water resource development through tank cum well system.

•          Reclamation of upland acid soil by use of paper mill sludge and techniques for safe use of paper mill and distillery wastewater for growing agricultural crops .

•          Design of secondary reservoir for efficient storage and utilization of rainwater.

•          Design of raised and sunken bed system for medium and low lands to achieve crop  diversification and higher cropping intensity.

•          Conjunctive use planning of irrigation through bore-wells, dug wells and ponds in farmers’ participatory approach in canal command areas.

•          Design and development  of sub surface water harvesting structures.

•          Development of contingent crop planning for post flood scenario in waterlogged areas.

•         Conjunctive use of fresh water and poor quality water in canal commands.

4.6  Other Agronomic Management Options

4.6.1 Seed Replacement of Paddy

Present SRR in Odisha is only 22 % which needs to be enhanced significantly.

·        Various stakeholders to be promoted and suitably motivated to increase production of seeds to the desired extent.

·        Subsidized assistance for construction of seed processing plants along with storage go-downs.

·        Certification protocols need to be smoothened for rapid certification. Seed testing laboratories to be established in block agricultural offices.

·        Regular capacity building programmes have to be undertaken for knowledge enhancement of seed production methodologies of HYV and hybrids.

·        There are more than 2000 indigenous varieties/races of paddy in the State. Farmers are to be encouraged for registering these indigenous and extant varieties under the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmeres’ Rights Act 2001.

·        Biotic and abiotic stress resistant and environmentally safe cultuvars need to be developed.

·        Information communication tools should be rigorously used for information dissemination regarding seed availability.

4.6.2 Fertilizer and Farm Power

Fertilizer

•         While suitable measures should be taken to increase fertilizer consumption in the State, emphasis have to be laid on ‘balanced and integrated fertilization’. The state should endeavour to promote balanced and integrated fertilization holistically through suitable programs and incentives.

•         Suitable incentives/assistance/subsidy need to be ensured for encouraging all agricultural stakeholders towards production and promotion of organic manures and organic fertilizers.

Farm Mechanization

•         Various stakeholders should be encouraged to form custom hiring centers or implement hubs for agri- machineries.

•         Use of small implements are to be promoted with added emphasis

•         Regular capacity building programmes should be undertaken regarding use, repair and maintenance of farm machineries for concerned individuals/groups.

•         Women-friendly farm equipments developed by various institutes are to be promoted.

4.7 Promotion of Dry land Horticulture

Diverse agro-climatic conditions favours development of dry land horticulture in the state.

•         Improving storage facilities for perishable crops.

•         Plantation crops like cashew, coconut should be promoted through ‘Contact’ or ‘Partnership’ farming approaches.

•         Various stakeholders to be encouraged for production of seed/seedling, planting materials of horticultural crops.

•         Financial incentives may be provided to producer organisations for floriculture.

Regular capacity building programmes should be sponsored by the State to encourage feasible stakeholders for promotion of dry land horticulture.

4.8 Contingent Planning - Flood

•         Planting submergence tolerant varieties of paddy in flood prone areas.

•         Raising community nurseries in relatively higher land in the submergence/ flood prone areas and transplanting after flood water recedes.

•         Construction/ restoration of check dams, embankments, field bunds/ contour bunding before the onset of monsoon.

•         In areas with greater gradient of slope, pucca water/ drainage outlets should be constructed to protect the farm land from breaking of bonds followed by soil erosion/ sand cast during heavy downpours.

•         Blocked Drainage channels could be opened up adequately.

•         Catchments could be treated appropriately to reduce run-off and soil erosion.

•         Long and medium term weather forecasts are desirable for reducing the impact.

•         Disaster Warning Systems to be upgraded.

4.9   Contingent Planning – Drought

•         Emphasis on use of pressurized irrigation systems, sowing short duration and drought tolerant varieties of crops.

•         Private lift irrigation points to be established through suitable assistance.

•         Canals and their distributaries to be lined

•         Irrigation channels should be regularly maintained to reduce conveyance losses.

•         Proper irrigation scheduling with appropriate crop planning taking more of low water requiring crops in the rainfed high lands & drought prone areas.

4.10 Location Specific Planning – Highlands

Feasible programmes for Highland Region may be as follows:

  

Water Conservation and water harvesting

          1. Renovation of Existing Tanks

          2. Creation of New Water Bodies

          3. Farm Ponds in Individual Lands

          4. Dug-Out Farm Ponds on Individual Lands

          5. Check-Dam Construction across the Stream

Integrated Watershed (Micro Watershed) Development

          1. Contour Trench

          2. Contour Bunds

          3. Gully Plugs

          4. Boulder Checks

          6. Terracing

          7. Vegetative Bunds

Horticulture & Plantation in Community and Individual Land

          1. Nursery Raising

          2. Plantation in Degraded Forests

          3. Avenue Plantation along Road/Canal Side

4. Plantation Horticulture Crops such as Mango, Cashew nut and other suitable species

5. Grassland Development

          6. Sabai & Sisal Plantation

          7. Boundary Plantation

Land Development on Community and Individual Land

          1. Development of Waste/Degraded Land

          2. Land Levelling

          3. Field Bunding

          4. Land Development on Individual Land

Other Programmes

          1. Promotion of Vermi-Composting

          2. Promotion of Bio-Fertilisers

          3. Promotion of Bio-Intensive Garden (Kitchen Garden)

          4. Integrated Farming System

4.11 Location Specific Planning – Coastal Plains

Irrigation canal development

          1. Renovation of existing canal

          2. Grass pitching/turfing

          3. Stone packing

          4. Maintenance activities

Flood control measures

          1. Strengthening of embankments

          2. Renovation of channels

          3. Construction of storm water drains

          4. Maintenance of the structures

Road and canal side plantation

          1. Nursery raising

          2. Avenue plantation along road/canal side

          3. Plantation horticulture crops such as mango, coconut, banana,        

              cashew nut and other suitable species

5.        Conclusion

For all these programme to materialize, there should be a strictly vigilant and efficient extension mechanism in the State. 

•         Linkages between Institutions like OUAT, CRRI, and CIFA, etc. should be strengthened to facilitate a smooth transfer of technology to the farmers.

•         The KVKs in the district would be the Link Points on short term researchable issues in the farm sector.

•         Opening of “Information Kiosk” by interested agri- entrepreneurs should be  encouraged.

•         Farm Information and Advisory Centres (FIAC) should be opened in all Blocks.

•         Extension essentially have to be,

1.     Farmer-led

2.     Group-led

3.     Market-led 

·        We believe very strongly that the State administration should give, in addition to the above, a careful consideration to the issue of exploring the possibilities of value addition of agricultural produce in order to enhance the profitability of the farmers, on the one hand, and increase the employment opportunity of the rural youth, on the other, through small and medium level entrepreneurs. Let us accept, Odisha has bountiful of natural resources and the most critical input, like the whole of the country, is the Farmers themselves.   

HoH