Comprehensive District Annual Plan 2011-12 Balasore District

Comprehensive District Annual Plan 2011-12 Balasore District
As per the secondary data collected on area of different horticultural crops in the district
(Table 2.31 & 2.32), major fruit crops grown in the district are mango, guava, citrus,
banana, papaya, pine apple and coconut. Mango covers only 2.67% of total mango areas in
the state. Among vegetables, brinjal, tomato, pea and lady’s finger are major crops of the
district. Commercial flower production has recently been started in the district, but is yet to
make headway. The data presented in table 2.31 and 2.32 reveals that horticulture sector
in Balasore district is lagging behind other districts of the state and there is need to
improve this sector.
Table 2.33. Area under Betlevine cultivation in the district
Block No. of Baraj Area (in ha) Block No. of Baraj Area (in ha)
Bhogarai 36273 580.368 Baliapal 21907 350.512
Total 58180 930.880 - - -
Source: Office of the Horticulturist, Balasore
The Government nurseries in the district are as under:-
Table 2.34. Government Nurseries of horticultural crops operating in district
Nurseries Location
Balia
Coconut Nursery
Jaleswar
Balasore
Soro
Transit Nursery cum block nursery Jaleswar
(for vegetables and fruit seedlings) Bhograi
Nilgiri
Mitrapur
Canning center Balasore
Source: Office of the Horticulturist, Balasore
Because of proximity of the district to cities like Baripada (60 kms), Cuttack (190 kms),
Bhubaneswar (215 kms) and Kolkata (220 kms) and good road connectivity with these
places, there lies huge market potential for marketing of horticultural crops, mainly
vegetables, flowers and mushrooms.
Strengths
SWOT Analysis of Agriculture/Horticulture/Irrigation sub sectors
• Fertile agricultural land, alluvial deposit of major rivers (56% are alluvial soil).
• Major part of the district is plain cultivated land (66% of total geographical area are
cultivated land).
• Climate Suitable for cultivation of Betel vine, numerous varieties of agricultural and
horticultural crops (fruits, vegetables, flowers, spices) and mushrooms.
• Availability huge labour force (67% of total workers are engaged in cultivation)
Weakness
• Major parts of the district are prone to natural calamities. About 25 to 60% of the villages
suffer crop loss of 50% and above almost every year.
• Out of the total cultivated land, 36.54% are located in four blocks namely, Baliapal, Basta,
Bhograi and Jaleswar, which are located close to sea, prone to all types of natural
calamities, lack adequate irrigation facilities and the soil type is mostly saline.
• Almost 44% soils are acidic in nature followed by 5% saline and only 51% normal in
reaction.
• Inadequate irrigation during rabi season and also during kharif season at the time of
drought. Lack of irrigation in Rabi season prevents diversification of crop on a large scale.
• Half of the installed Lift Irrigation projects are defunct.
TSI: NABARD Consultancy Services (NABCONS) 33