Challenges and Opportunities of Rural Agricultural Farmers in Rayagada District of Odisha

Agricultural development has been emphasized by Government of India since independence. More than 23.43% of the nation’s GDP comes from the agriculture and husbandry industry. Around 45.76% of Indian workforces are engaged in agriculture and allied production (2022-23 report of National Sample Survey Office). Odisha is endowed with abundant natural resources but it holds 13^th rank in economic contribution in India (report of Odisha economic survey, 2023-24). The total rural population in India is 63.64% (World Bank report, 2024), and 83.31 % in Odisha (Census report, 2011), but 48.8 percent workforce is engaged in agricultural sector (Government of Odisha report, 2024). Current population of Odisha is 41,974,218 and Rayagada district is 820,945. Total agricultural land in Odisha is reported as 6,782 000 ha, where as Rayagada district accounts for 1, 93,504 hectares with high - 1, 28,962 ha, medium - 42,705 ha and low 21,837 ha. Rayagada’s agro-climatic zone is north eastern ghat having 9,67,911 population. Soil type is brown forest, lateritic, red alluvial, black and mixed red soil groups. The farmers produce mainly rice and cotton. They also depend on forest products as subabool, cashew, oil palm and teak trees. The study reveals that farmers face main challenges as unfavorable climatic condition, lack of education, low awareness of agricultural facilities, low investment and return, lack of infrastructure, low interest in agricultural work, lack of research and knowledge for more prospects and land consolidation. Further, there is a positive coefficient between infrastructure and education with agricultural development.

⓿ A rising trend in agricultural production in Rayagada districts of Odisha.

⓿ The farmers face main challenges for large investment in agriculture, lack of infrastructure, low productivity, lack or research.

⓿ A positive correlation coefficient between infrastructures, education with agricultural development

⓿ Farmers are mainly producing paddy and cotton, but opportunity is there for horticultural crop and livestock poultry in upland, mushroom cultivation and dairy farming in medium land and fishery, vermicompost and azolla in low land.