Instability of potato production in Orissa - A residual analysis approach

Area, production and productivity of potato in Orissa had increased considerably form 195051 to 1970–71. But thereafter it decreased considerably during the next decade. During eighties and early nineties area, production and productivity of the crop have marginally increased. Cuttack ranks first both in acreage and production of the crop contributing 35.8% and 43.7% of the State's acreage and production respectively. Cuttack district has the highest productivity of 123.9 q/ha. Kalahandi has the lowest acreage under the crop and its production is also the lowest among all the districts. Phulbani district has the lowest productivity of 67.3 q/ha. The growth rates of area and production of potato varied from 3.4% and 1.4% in Kalahandi district to 6.6% and 10.77% Balasore district, respectively. The compound growth rates of productivity of potato for different districts showed that Puri had the highest positive growth rate of 5.00/0 followed by Kalahandi (4.3%). Phulbanl (4.00/0), Cuttack (4.0%). Balasore (3.9%), Dhenkanal (3.8%) and lowest productivity growth is observed in Sundergarh district (0.7%). Significant positive growth rates of productivily of crop in almost all the districts of Orissa and the State indicates that the farmers of the State have sufficient awareness to adopt modem yield raising technology. But lack of suitable market support and cold storage facilities constrain the growers in expanding the acreage under the crop. Instability in potato production was observed for all most all the districts of Orissa except for Kalahandi, Keonjhar. Mayurbhanj and Sambalpur. Acreage under the crop and productivity have been responsible for bringing stability in potato production in Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj and Sambalpur district. Whereas in Kalahandi district it is produclivlty which contributes more towards stability in potato production. The year, 1989–90 was observed 10 be the most abnormal year followed by 1984–85, 1990–91 and 1992–93 for bringing instability in potato production. To reduce the degree of instability in potato production. crop planning should be made depending upon 10 agro-climatic parameters to reduce the degree of instability in production of potato in the State.