Comprehensive District Annual Plan 2011-12 Balasore District

Comprehensive District Annual Plan 2011-12 Balasore District
huge deficiency of farm implements which prevents adoption of intensive agricultural
operations in a large scale. There is tremendous scope for farm mechanization in the
district. Further, because of extensive paddy cultivation in the area, small implements like
puddlers, threshers, rotavators, winnowers etc. will be of much help to the farmers in
reaping highest returns from farm land.
2.1.2. Soil Conservation and Land Development:
Sustainable agriculture requires availability of good quality land, water, seed, fertilizer and
pesticides. Out of these items provision of leveled land and water is long term and other are
short term provisions. Land and water need to be judiciously managed to meet optimum
production levels.
Land development activities are aimed at conserving soil and water as also preserving and
improving soil health and thereby increasing crop productivity. One of the major stumbling
blocks in achieving crop diversification in Balasore has been predominance of low lying
areas. The situation can be altered and cultivation of high value agriculture and
horticulture crops can be taken up only by bringing about changes in the status of land
through land development activities. Considering the problems of poor drainage/water
logging in low land and salinity of soil in coastal belt, the land development sector needs
greater attention in the district. Besides land leveling and on-farm development works are
required to be taken up in cultivable holdings of individual farmers for deriving optimal
benefits of the irrigation projects.
In the district, major problem is flood, water logging and development of salinity in the
cultivated land due to lack of drainage facility. One division of Irrigation department,
namely, Balasore Drainage Division look after drainage of flood water, stabilization of
embankments etc in the low lying belts of the district. In addition, Soil Conservation
Department play a vital role by educating the farmers for adopting improved agricultural
practices and technology, optional use of seeds, chemical/bio-fertilizer, pesticide etc.
through training camp/work shop in the watershed area during implementation of different
watershed development projects funded under NWDPRA.
27 nos. of water harvesting structures have been constructed in Balasore district which
provides 20000 ha. of life saving irrigation during moisture stress period. Further 23
watershed projects are under implementation covering a total areaof 10421 ha. Considering
the problem of poor drainage/water logging in low land and salinity of soil in costal belt, the
land development sector needs grater attention.
Land development sector broadly comprises the following activities.
(i) Land leveling, on-farm development works, reclamation of saline soil and improvement
in soil quality.
(ii) Watershed management.
(iii) Soil and water conservation works such as bunding, terracing construction of nalla
bunds, weirs etc.
(iv) Water management such lining of field channels, laying of pipelines for distribution
and creation of water harvesting structures.
National Watershed Development Programmes for Rainfed Areas (NWDPRA) is being
implemented in the district.
The main objectives of the scheme are as follows:
(i.) National Resource Management for enhancement of agricultural productivity and
production on sustainable basis.
(ii.) Restoration of ecological balance in rainfed areas.
(iii.) Creation of sustainable source of income for the village community to reduce labour
migration and solve employment problem through SHG mobilization.
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