1Department of Agricultural Extension and Communication, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Campus-4Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (Deemed to be University), Bhubaneswar-751 003, Odisha, India
*Corresponding Author: Smaranika Mohanty, Department of Agricultural Extension and Communication, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Campus-4Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (Deemed to be University), Bhubaneswar-751 003, Odisha, India, Email: smaranika1423@gmail.com
Online published on 6 February, 2026.
The Tribal Sub-Plan (1974-79) targets tribal welfare through focused planning and resource use. Despite Odisha's 22.85% tribal population, outcomes remain poor. This paper highlights key implementation gaps-weak coordination, fund mismanagement, low participation and poor monitoring-and suggests reforms to enhance TSP effectiveness.
This study used an ex-post facto design to assess Tribal Sub-plan (TSP) implementation challenges in Odisha, focusing on agricultural constraints among tribal farmers. Kendujhar and Rayagada were purposively selected for their high tribal populations. Stratified random sampling ensured representation of diverse tribal subgroups. Primary data were collected through structured interviews and FGDs with selected beneficiaries, while secondary data from official reports supplemented field findings. Constraints were ranked by respondents and converted into percent positions using the formula: Per cent Position = 100 (Rij -0.5)/Nj, then into scores via Garrett's Ranking Table. Average scores determined the severity of each constraint, enabling objective prioritization and informed recommendations to strengthen TSP in tribal agriculture.
The study identified key constraints across eight dimensions of rural development using Garrett's ranking technique. Among planning-related issues, improper situational analysis (mean score: 71.84) was a major challenge. In the economic domain, untimely release of sanctioned funds (74.05) and insufficient self-employment opportunities (68.13) ranked highest. In extension services, immediate field-level support (67.86) and incorrect field diagnostics (77.99) were key limitations. The most critical socio-psychological limitation was entrenched traditional value systems (78.17), a measure of resistance to change in behavior. Other limitations were poor technological adaptation, poor monitoring mechanisms and weak infrastructure. The results highlight the importance of participatory planning, timely finance, responsive extension systems and situation-specific technologies in reinforcing rural development outcomes.
Development constraints, Garrett's ranking technique, Participatory planning, Rural development, Socio-psychological barriers, Tribal communities
