Bhubaneswar: The Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Government of Odisha, has embarked on a pioneering initiative called the ‘Comprehensive Project on Rice Fallow Management (CRFM)’ during the Rabi 2023-24 season. This ambitious project aims to leverage the vast rice fallow areas in the state for cultivating non-paddy crops, particularly pulses and oilseeds, thereby addressing the deficit in these essential commodities.
Odisha boasts approximately 16 lakh hectares of rice fallow land, out of which around 10 lakh hectares hold the potential for cultivation of short-duration, low-water-requiring pulses and oilseeds during the Rabi season. In line with this potential, the State Government has formulated a comprehensive plan to expand interventions through a demonstration program covering various districts.
The crops identified under the CRFM project include Green gram, Black gram, Field Pea, Bengal Gram, Lentil, Grass Pea, Mustard, and Sesamum. By exploiting residual soil moisture and increasing cropping intensity, the project aims to upscale the cultivation of pulses and oilseeds while enhancing food production with efficient water usage. Moreover, it targets the restoration of soil health and the augmentation of farmers’ livelihoods and nutritional security.
Implemented across 30 districts of Odisha, the project involves collaboration with multiple stakeholders, including the Directorate of Agriculture and Food Production, renowned research institutions such as the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and the M S Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), as well as seeds and agri-inputs supplying agencies. Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed with five implementing agencies to execute the project efficiently.
Building on the success of the previous fiscal year, where the CRFM project was implemented in approximately 70,000 hectares, the plan for the year 2023-24 has been extended to cover 4 lakh hectares. Quality seeds, bio-fertilizers, micro-nutrients, weedicides, and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) devices are being provided to farmers under the project to enhance productivity. Additionally, an “Acid Soil Management” activity has been introduced to cover 1.6 lakh hectares, aiming to improve soil health and further boost production.
Director of Agriculture and Food Production, Shri. Prem Chandra Chaudhary, is closely monitoring the progress of the program and has emphasized the importance of transparency and timely execution to achieve the desired targets. With over 2.85 lakh hectares already covered under the program and crop sowing underway, the project is being meticulously documented and monitored using remote technologies.
Through concerted efforts, the ‘Comprehensive Project on Rice Fallow Management’ seeks to convert fallow land into productive assets, thereby contributing to agricultural growth, enhancing farmers’ incomes, and ensuring food and nutritional security for Odisha’s farming community.
