Growth Performance of Major Crop Groups in Odisha Agriculture: A Spatiotemporal Analysis

This study has analysed the pattern in growth of area, production and productivity of major crop groups across the physiographic zones in the state of Odisha for the period 1993–94 to 2010–11. It has observed an unstable and unsustainable growth in area, production and productivity over the years in the state as well as in all physiographic zones. The relatively high growth rate of foodgrains production in Odisha has been achieved mainly through area effect. Although, contribution of technology towards sustainable output growth has been recognized, growth in the yield rate is slow. This sluggish growth in area, production and yield of all crop groups in the state is because of slow expansion of irrigation network, low level of fertilizer consumption, slow rate of technology adoption, and low level of infrastructural development. The slowdown in the process of cropping pattern change indicates the failure of most government efforts to diversify agriculture in the state. It is time to reform this sector and accord importance to food safety issues to meet the growing demand for quality food through stable and sustainable growth in agriculture and replacing subsidies with investments and infrastructural development.