| Agriculture is the main
occupation of Orissa. One third of the agriculture produce comes from the coastal region.
After the October cyclone 1.8 million hectares of agricultural land was affected and
adversely resulted in a food security balance. |
|
UN organisations and a number
of NGOs have assisted the farmers in the region. Farmers kits supplied by some NGOs have
enabled farmers to regain their confidence besides helping in rehabilitation.
UNDP has assisted the farmers in certain
districts by providing high yield groundnut seeds. Technical assistance is also provided.
UN specialised agency, FAO has contributed to assessing the agriculture situation in the
state and in reporting on the latest situation, programs and development in this sector.
Agricultural activities have resumed in most
parts other than regions of saline inundation. Area covered under Rabi crops are 65000 ha
of cereals, 639000 ha of pulses 174000 ha of oilseed and vegetables 162000 ha in the
cyclone-affected districts. The Government of Orissa (GOO) has requested donor agencies,
NGOs and corporate houses to support agricultural development activities in the state. GOO
has also requested the Central government for funds for the purpose. The government of
India (GOI) is planning to table this bill in the present session of parliament. GOO is
supplying 1000000 coconut seedlings to the farmers @ Rs. 10/plant. For the coming kharif
season the availability of seeds and agro-chemicals may be a serious concern.
UN national volunteers working in the state
are in participating in farmer’s forum meetings to get their feedback and share
experience with them. They have been able to assist the government of the state in
collecting information from the small and marginal farmers regarding the availability of
fertilisers. Another concern identified by the UN Volunteers was the lack of water, even
in rivers that had flooded barely a couple of months ago, and the need for watershed
management.
