The Role of Sabai Grass Industry in The Economic Development of Mayurbhanj District of Orissa (India)

Sabai grass cultivation has brought about a miracle in the economic life of the Tribal's and poorer people of Mayurbhanj district of Orissa state of india is now a gorgeous truth. The reality which has been deciphered has to be kept thriving in the present and in the coming years. Mayurbhanj district is said to be a land of tribals. Out of 62 tribal communities of Orissa, 45 communities are found in Mayurbhanj district alone. The per capita income of Orissa as measured by net state domestic agricultural and forest product per head of population, was about 20 percent lower than the all India per capita income in 2008. It remained as much as 43 percent below that of national average in 2007–08. Thus it was intended to make all empirical investigation of rural income in Mayurbhanj district of Orissa State in India and to assess the impact of agricultural and forest product marketing programmes initiated by the Government of Orissa over the years. In spite of rich natural and human resources it is a poor district more than 48 per cent of the rural area people live below the poverty line. Though majority of population are dependent on primary sector, the agriculture is undeveloped because the district is lacking in irrigation facilities. In agricultural sector there is hardly any marketable surplus production in the district except for Sabai grass. Sabai grass is practically considered to be “The Money Plant” which ensures cash receipt through out the year. The industry is associated with various activities of raising Cultivation of Sabai grass and processing of consumer goods such as ropes, mats, carpets, sofa sets, wall hangings and other sophisticated fashionable articles. The Sabai grass industry has tremendous export potential. Artistic designing Sabai products are very popular in foreign countries which earn precious foreign exchange for the country. The industry helps in the growth of entrepreneurship amongst the villagers. This ensures economic development through modernization and innovation of the industrial culture in rural areas.