The district comes under “North Eastern Ghat Agro Climatic Zone” with light textured brown forest soil, which is highly acidic in nature (98% of soils are acidic in nature), The location of this district is confined to Longitude 83 degree 48’ to 84 degree 7’ E & Latitude18 degree 46’ to 19degree 9’ N, between Gopalpur (Odisha) to Kalingapatanam (AP) within 48 km to 95 km from Sea shore (Sea coast). The geographical situation of the district is characterized by undulated topography with hilly terrain where the rain water is carried through hill streams & nallas in five tribal blocks.

Aim and Objective of Department

  • Enhancing varietal replacement and seed replacement rate through seed production programme under seed village scheme and partnering with institutions of repute, besides ensuring efficient distribution of quality seeds.
  • Distribution of soil health cards to farmers and promoting adoption of soil test based recommendations for management of soil health by balanced fertilizer use coupled with Integrated Nutrient Management.
  • Promote Farm mechanization and pressurised irrigation systems to reduce cost of production and improve factor productivity of agri-inputs.
  • Crop substitution in highlands with more remunerative crops and utilising rice fallows by growing pulses and oilseeds with supplemental irrigation.
  • Exploitation of ground and surface water potential though establishment of captive irrigation facilities; Dug wells, River Lift Irrigation Points andDeep Bore wells.
  • Promotion of organic farming and Integrated Farming for sustainable crop husbandry.
  • Pest management through e-pest surveillance and adoption of Integrated Pest & Disease Management.
  • Strengthening of Agriculture Extension for effective transfer of technologies and delivery of the host of services needed by the farmers.
  • Enhancing production and productivity of crops through different interventions under various schemes being implemented.
  • Organising massive awareness campaign on developmental programmes.
  • Promoting agri-entrepreneurship and private investment in agriculture.
  • Resorting to increased Direct Benefit Transfer in most of farmer oriented programmes in order to ensure greater transparency.
  • Capacity building of farmers, extension functionaries and other stake holders.
  • Increased use of ICT in agriculture.

SCHEMES OPERATED IN THE DISTRICT

BGREI (Bringing Green Revaluation to Eastern India)
The programme of “Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern India (BGREI)” was launched in 2010-11 to address the constraints limiting the productivity of “rice based cropping systems” in eastern India including Gajapati district of Odisha . The programme is now a sub-scheme of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana

NFSM (National Food Security Mission)
National Food Security Mission (NFSM) is a Central Scheme to increase production and productivity of Pulses on a sustainable basis so as to ensure food security of the district. The aim is to bridge the yield gap in respect of these crops through dissemination of improved technologies and farm management practices.

SOIL HEALTH CARD SCHEME

Soil health card Scheme is a scheme launched by the Govt. of India in February 2015 & being implemented by the State Govt. in Gajapati district since 2015. Under the scheme the Govt plans to issue soil health cards to framers which will carry crop wise recommendation of Nurtient & fertilizers required for the individual farms to help farmers to improve productivity through judicious use of fertilizers. The scheme aims at promoting soil test based & balanced use of fertilizer to enable farmers to get higher yield at lower cost. Under the scheme every farmer will be given Soil health card once in three years & for that soil samples are being collected on grid basis (one sample each 2.5 Ha in Irrigated area & 10 Ha in Rainfed area)

FARM MECHANISATION

Improved farm implements and machinery are used for different farm operations to increase productivity of land and labour for timeliness of operations, efficient use of inputs, safety and comfort of farmers and reduction in loss of produce.

SPECIAL PROGRAMME ON MILLETS IN TRIBAL AREAS

  • Increasing household consumption of millets by about 25% to enhance household nutrition.
  • Promoting millet processing enterprises at Gram Panchayat & block level.
  • Improving productivity of millets.
  • Establishing market linkage to Rural / Urban markets.
  • Inclusion of millets in State nutrition programs and public distribution system.