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comprehensive district agriculture plan of Srikakulam district
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C O N T E N T S
S. No. Title Page No.Executive Summary 8
I Introduction 161.1 Background 16
1.2 Main concerns of agricultural sector 17
1.3 Purpose of DAPs 19
1.4 Methodology 19
II General description of the district 22
2.1 Introduction 22
2.2 District at a glance 24
2.3 Development Vision and Strategy 30
III SWOT analysis 31
3.1 Introduction 31
3.2 SWOT analysis of the district 31
3.3 Emerging issues from SWOT analysis 34
3.4 Sectoral / Regional growth drivers of the district 35
IV Development of Agricultural Sector 374.1 Introduction 37
4.2 Land Use 37
4.3 Soil Health 37
4.4 Water Resources and Management 40
4.5 Major Crops and varieties in the district 41
4.6 Input Management 45
4.7 Farm Mechanization 48
4.8 Constraint Analysis 49
4.9 Interventions proposed 56
4.10 Investments 67
V Allied Agricultural Sectors 69
5.1 Introduction 69
5.2 Horticulture Development 69
5.3 Sericulture Development 77
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5.4 Animal Husbandry 80
5.5 Fisheries Development 85
5.6 Watershed Development 90
5.7 Irrigation Development 93
5.8 Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP) 95
5.9 Agricultural Marketing 96
5.10 Rural Industries 100
5.11 Agricultural Credit and Insurance 102
5.12 Investments and Outcomes 104
VI District Plan 106
6.1 Introduction 106
6.2 Growth Drivers 106
6.3 Innovative Schemes 107
6.4 Vision of XI Plan 110
6.5 District Plan 112
Annexures
Tables 115-214
Convergence of Schemes and Activities for Agricultural
Development
215-222
2
List of tables
Table no Name of the table Page no. 1 General Information 1312 Distribution of land holdings and land area by category 131
3 Land utilization pattern in the district 1324 Land Holdings (Agriculture Census 2001) 133
5 Month-wise distribution of rainfall, 2002-03 to 2007-08 1336 Area irrigated by different sources 134
7 Contribution of agriculture and allied sectors to GDP in Srikakulam district 1358 Growth rates in sub-sectors of agriculture (in per cent) 1359 Land Utilization Statistics (2005-06) 136
10 Soil fertility index, Srikakulam district year 2000-2001 to 2006-07 13711 Micro nutrient status year 2000-01 to 2006-07 13712 Soil testing laboratories in Srikakulam district year 2006-07 13813 Planning of Soil Testing Program Year 2007-08 13814 Reclamation and Development of Saline / Alkali Soils in Next Five Year 13915 Data on Weather 13916 Source wise area irrigated in 2006-2007 in ha Area (Ha.) 14017 Water analysis report (2000-01 to 2006-07 14018 Description of cropping patterns under different conditions 141
19 Areas under different crop categories (Area in ha) 141
20 Area under agricultural crops during kharif and rabi seasons 14221 Trends in area sown, production and yields of the major crops from 2002-03
to 2006-07 143
22 Area, Production Productivity of important crops for 5 years 14523 Area, Production and Yield of Major crops in irrigated / Rain fed conditions
during Kharif Season146
24 Area, Production and Yield of Major crops in irrigated / Rain fed conditions during Rabi Season
146
25 Area, Production and Productivity Trend of Main Crops in Srikakulam district 14726 Area, production and productivity of crops during Kharif, 2006-07 148
27 Details of area, productivity and production of major crops during Rabi , 2006-07
149
28 Annual area, productivity and production of principal crops in Srikakulam district during 2006-07
150
29 Planning of Agriculture Inputs in the district 151
30 Plan for enhancement of Seed Replacement Ratio 15131 Infrastructure available on State Seed Farm / Trial cum Demonstration Farm 152
32 Seed Production at TSF/TCD 15233 Crop wise NPK Consumption 15334 Planning of fertilizer requirement by ADA circle 15335
Planning of fertilizer requirement by type of fertilizer154
36 Availability of improved Farm Equipment and Machineries 15437
Farm Machinery Status and Projection155
38 Service Centres in the District (Agriculture & Allied Sectors)155
39 Farming situations in Srikakulam district and their extents 156
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40 Description of farming systems 15741 ADA circle wise Yield Gap Analysis 15942 Information on Natural Calamities 16043 Basic Infrastructure for Agriculture (Post Harvest Management) 164
44Farm Level Storage Plan
164
45 Marketing Infrastructure Plan ( in lakhs) 165
46 Agro Processing unit in the District 165
47 Organization and Strength of ATMA Model 16648 Convergence of Scheme through ATMA 166
49 Planning for Strengthening of ATMA 16750 Group Organization Existing in the District 16851 Proposals for supply of gysum 16852
Details of green manure seed distribution, 2002-03 to 2007-08169
53 Proposals for the supply of green manure seeds 16954 Estimates of pesticide consumption in the district 16955 Farmers Field Schools Projection in Next Five Year 170
56 List of farm implements/equipment proposed for supply on subsidy 17157 Proposals for supply of farm mechanization 17258 Proposals for strengthening extension in XI plan 17259 Proposals for conjunctive use of water during XI plan 173
60 Proposals for supply of sprinklers during XI plan 173
61 Planning for Farmers Training Program Related to Agriculture 17462 Training Infrastructure Proposed for Capacity Building of Agriculture 17563 Facilities Available in Agro Polyclinics 176
64 Proposed Plan to improve Agril. And Allied Training Facilitators for Farmers 178
65 Additional area to be brought under organic farming in next five years 17866 Treatment /units Proposed for the Organic Farming in next Five Year 179
67 IPM Demonstration in Next Five Year 17968 INM Demonstration in Next Five Year 180
69 Varietal Demonstration in Next Five Year 180
70 Tools utilized for Improving Crop Production 18171 Crop Diversification Plan in Next Five Year 18272 Proposals for implementation of Sugarcane Renewed Intensification 182
73 Crop Sector Action Plan under Rastriya Krishi Vikas Yojana 18374 Area under other enterprises 18475 Areas under major horticultural crops in Srikakulam district 18476 Farming situations and horticultural crops with areas 18577 Area, Production and Yield of Major Horticulture Crops 18578 Details of rythu bazaars in Srikakulam district 18579 Details of area, production and productivity of horticultural crops 18680 Proposals for supply of drip irrigation systems during XI plan 186
81 Perspective Micro Irrigation Plan - (Year 2007-08 to 2011-12) 186
82 Area Expansion Plan of Horticultural Crops (Area in ha.) 187
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83 Rejuvenation Plan of Horticultural Crops (Area in ha.) 18784 Plant Material Production Plan (Area in ha Production of plants in Numbers) 187
85 Comprehensive plan for horticultural development during XI plan 188
86 Sericulture information 18987 Comprehensive State agricultural plan under Rashtriya Kisan Vikas Yojana 18988 Proposed physical and financial targets for sericulture for XI plan 191
89 Estimates of livestock population in 17th and 18th livestock censuses 19290 Livestock Information 192
91 ADA circle wise Existence of Veterinary Institutions 193
92 Production Plan of Livestock during the next Five years 193
93 Mandal-wise Z.P.Outlay for Animal Husbandry during X Plan period 194
94 Proposed Physical and Financial Targets for Animal Husbandry for XI Plan 194
95 Funds required for interventions for livestock development 195
96 Information required under fisheries sector in Srikakulam district 195
97 Yield gap analysis in different water sources 196
98 Source wise Water Spread Area in Srikakulam district 196
99 Projections for Fish Production, Seed to be stocked and Hatchery Requirement for XI Plan in Srikakulam district
197
100 Financial Targets and Achievements during X Plan for Fisheries Development in Srikakulam district
198
101 Projected outlay (Rs. in lakh) for existing schemes of fisheries development during XI plan in Srikakulam district
199
102 Investments proposed for fisheries development during XI plan 199
103 Watershed development program for 2007-08 200
104 Progress of watershed programs under RIDF- IX and X 200
105 Details of areas developed and crops grown 201
106 Planning of Soil Survey Program. (Year 2007-08 to 2011-12) 201
107 Area Available for Watershed Development and Plan. (Year 2007-08 to 2011-12)
202
108 Technologies for In situ Moisture Conservation Plan (Year 2007-08 to 2011-12)
202
109 Works sanctioned under NREGA, Srikakulam district, 2007-08 203
110 Details of Irrigation projects in Srikakulam district 203
111 Details of irrigation potential after the completion of projects (in ha) 204
112 Protective (Community Tanks) Irrigation Plan (Year 2007-08 to 2011-12) 204
113 Average yields and costs of cultivation of major crops in Srikakulam district 204
114 Problems and strategies required by crop 205
115 The status of Tapioca in the tribal areas of Srikakulam district 206
116 Targets for coverage under NPM during the XI plan period 206
117 List of functional market yards for additional central assistance 207
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118 FIC System Components 207
119 Comprehensive state agricultural plan under Rashtriya Kisan Vikas Yojana 208
120 Product wise No. of SSI units in the district 208
121 Table Plans for Khadi and Village Industry Program during XI Plan 209
122 Progress during X Plan under District Industrial Centre 209
123 Action Plan of DIC for XI Plan 209
124 Financial Achievements during X Plan and Projection for XI Plan for Development of Handlooms and Textiles (Rs. in lakh)
210
125 Details of the proposed industries under Handlooms and Textiles 210
126 Credit flow in Srikakulam district, 2004-05 to 2006-07 211
127 Details of Credit Institutions in the district, 2006-07 211
128 The estimated credit plan during XI plan in Srikakulam district 212
129 Crop Loan Distribution in district during XI Five Year Plan 212
130 Loan Distribution for Agriculture Development during XI Five Year Plan 213
131 Agriculture Insurance Status and Planning for XI Five Year Plan 214
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List of figures/graphs
Fig.no Title Page no.
1 District map 22
2 Season wise rainfall in the district 27
3 Source wise irrigated area 28
4 GDDP in the district 29
5 Growth rates in the district 29
6 Soils in the district 38
7 Area coverage under different crops 42
8 Area, production of important kharif crops 44
9 Area, production of important rabi crops 44
10 Annual area, production of important crops 45
11 Farming situations in the district 49
12 Consumption of Nitrogen fertilizers 57
13 Consumption of Phosphorous fertilizers 57
14 Consumption of Potash fertilizers 58
15 Pesticide consumption in the district 60
7
Comprehensive District Agriculture Plan Srikakulam district
Executive summary
The district is skirted to a distance by Kandivalasa Gedda, Vamsadhara, Bahuda at
certain stretches of the courses while a line of heights of the great eastern ghats run
from North East. Vizianagaram district flanks on the south and west while Orissa
bounds it on its north and Bay of Bengal on the east. The total area of the district is
5837 Sq. km. It has a population of 2537, 593, according to 2001 census. The
district derived its name from Srikakulam, its headquarters town. Srikakulam district
was carved out in 1950 by bifurcating it from Visakhapatnam district. It remained
unaffected in its territorial jurisdiction for quite some time. But in November, 1969 the
district lost 63 villages from Salur taluk and 44 villages from Bobbili taluk to the newly
constituted Gajapathinagaram taluk of Visakhapatnam district. Again in May 1979,
the district had undergone major territorial changes due to newly formed district, with
Vizianagaram as its headquarters.
Srikakulam district is the extreme northeastern district in Andhra Pradesh, situated
within the geographical coordinates of 180-20` and 190-10` of northern latitude and
830-50` and 840-50` of eastern longitude. Srikakulam district has 1818 revenue
villages, out of which 95 are un-inhabited. The 1723 inhabited villages are organized
into 1080 gram panchayats. Tekkali ADA circle has the highest number of gram
panchayats, even though Palasa ADA circle has more number of populated revenue
villages. Srikakulam ADA circle has the lowest number of gram panchayats and
revenue villages. The population of the district is 25.1 lakh as per 2001 census. The
population density is higher at 436 persons per sq km. The female population is
slightly higher than that of male population in the district. The sex ratio of males in
females is 1:1.01. Male population is higher than female population only in
Ranasthalam, Srikakulam and Rajam ADA circles. In all the six other ADA circles,
female population is higher than that of male population. The scheduled caste
population formed nine percent of the district population, while the scheduled tribes’
population was about six percent of the total population. The scheduled tribes’
population is concentrated in Palakonda, Palasa and Sompeta ADA circles.
8
In the district, sandy loams and sandy soils cover 21% of land area, while red soils,
silt clay loams and sand clay loam soils together account for 50% of the area. Black
cotton soils have a share of 29% in the soils of the district. The marginal and small
farmers dominate the number of holdings, but not in the ownership of land area. The
average size of holding in the district is only 0.71 ha. No wonder that the marginal
farmers have a big share of 78.8 per cent in the number of holdings. But their share
in the land area owned is only 41.1 per cent. Small farmers form only 14.67 per cent
of the land holdings, while their share in land holdings is about twice as that. Medium
farmers constitute only 6.45 per cent, but their share in land area is nearly four or five
times of that. Large farmers have an insignificant share of 0.1 per cent in the number
of holdings, but their share in land area is as high as 1.73 per cent.
The rainfall of the district is influenced by both the south-west and north-east
monsoons. The total normal rainfall of the district is 1162 mm. The southwest
monsoon contributes a major portion of 60.67% (705mm) of rainfall, followed by the
northeast monsoon which contributes 23.84% of (277mm) of annual rainfall. Out of
the remaining, 2.23% (26mm) is received during the winter and the balance 13.26%
(154mm) in summer period. The area under irrigation in Srikakulam district is about
1.872 lakh ha, which forms 63.8% of the total cropped area.
Srikakulam district has fairly high rainfall of 1162 mm. About 60 per cent of it is
received during south-west monsoon. This high rainfall and fairly long growing
season is good enough to support rain fed crops in the district. The irrigation
coverage is also fairly high at 64 per cent. The soils are quite diverse with 29 per
cent area under black soils and 50 per cent of the area under silt clay and sandy clay
loams. Both these types of soils have medium fertility. Only 21 per cent of the soils
are light soils with less water retention capacity and fertility. A diverse set of crops
can be grown in the district with reasonably good yields. Most of the farmers are
personally engaged in cultivation. The district has research stations at Ragolu and
Amudalavalasa, besides the College of Agricuture at Naira. These research stations
provide the necessary technological support to the farmers in the district. The district
also has a lot of area under cashew and mango plantations. The cashew processing
units at Palasa provide the marketing support to cashew farmers. Paddy, groundnut,
sesamum, sugarcane and mesta are the important crops in the district. The area
9
under horticulture is picking up with more diversification in favour of vegetables and
fruit crops. The district has a long coast line and other water resources needed to
support both marine and inland fisheries. Cattle are dominant producers of milk in
the district with systematic efforts to upgrade the genetic stock yielding benefits
already. In most parts of the district, it is the integrated farming systems with crops,
livestock and horticulture providing contributions to incomes of the households.
The district is quite prone to natural calamities, very often suffering from heavy rains,
floods and cyclones. Parts of the district also face drought conditions in some years.
The soils are generally light and cannot hold much moisture. They cannot support
crops without irrigation in many areas. Marginal and small farmers dominate the land
holdings and have very little investment capacity. Farmers did not make adequate
investments for exploration of ground water and do not have assured captive
sources of irrigation. The irrigation sources are dependent on rainfall and hence
there is variability in the irrigation coverage. The infrastructure is quite poor
particularly in the agency tracts. The district had developed irrigation sources long
back and did not progress much in the recent decades. Certain stagnation has
reached in the agriculture sectors of the district. Because of employment
opportunities in near by cities like Visakhapatnam, there is migration of labor from
rural areas which is creating a labor scarcity and increase in wage rate. Farmers find
it difficult to earn a surplus after meeting the high input costs and labor wages. Mesta
cultivation as well as its processing has reached stagnation due to demand
constraint for the products. Despite a high proportion of irrigation, agricultural sector
contributes only 24 to 29 per cent to the GDP in the district. The population pressure
is quite high due to which the holdings are getting divided and are becoming smaller
and smaller.
There are several initiatives which bring new opportunities to the farmers in
Srikakulam district. Under the Jalayagnam project, two phases of Vamsadhara
stage-II project, Thotapalli regulator and Maddulavalasa project are being
constructed. These projects will both increase as well as stabilize irrigated area in
the district. The augmentation of irrigation sources will help the farmers to get higher
yields. The land values are going up as a result of the rapid urbanization happening
around Visakhapatnam city. Much of the Srikakulam district comes under
10
Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Development Authority. Construction of the highways
has made the movement of the people and goods quite fast. The increase in land
prices has provided an opportunity for those who want to quit farming and move to
other sectors for their livelihood. People who made money from non-agricultural
sectors are investing in lands for speculative purposes in general and out of genuine
interest in farming in some cases. The new land owners have the capacity to invest
in land development and improved technologies. This trend may augur well to the
farming sector because of infusion of capital from new sources. The output prices,
both of food and cash crops, are on the rise and they may increase the rate of return
on investments significantly and provide new hope to the farmers. The demand for
milk, meat, eggs, fruits and vegetables is increasing and the process of
diversification in to these high value commodities is likely to intensify further.
Farmers are taking up micro-irrigation in a big way which will help in increasing the
water-use efficiency and in achieving enterprise diversification. The recent loan
waiver program and the earlier Prime Minister’s relief package have freed small and
marginal farmers from the bond of debt. They can avail fresh credit and invest it on
their farms. The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) has brought
work and income to agriculture labor households. The product prices are likely to
increase further and may make agriculture and allied enterprises more remunerative.
The threats to agriculture and allied sectors come from many sources. Due to
deviations in rainfall and predominance of light soils, the agricultural enterprises are
becoming riskier. The predictions of climate change point out to decrease in rainfall
and increase in temperatures. Both these anticipated changes may further dent the
viability of agriculture in the district. The labor wages are going up in real terms and
after the implementation of NREGS, the working hours have reduced. Due to this
increase in real wages without a commensurate increase in productivity, the
agriculture tends to become less profitable. The loan waiver scheme has destroyed
the credit discipline and farmers may not get credit both from institutional as well as
non-institutional sources of credit. The increase in fuel prices may apply brakes on
farm mechanization trend. The globalization of markets will put the farmers from
advanced countries at an advantage because they are backed by huge subsidies
from their governments. With in the country, farmers from irrigated areas are
expected to do better due to heavy incidence of subsidies for irrigated crops. A
11
partially rain fed district like Srikakulam may find it an unequal battle to compete with
the neighboring districts with higher irrigation coverage. Some of the internal
weaknesses may get exacerbated by the external threats looming large on the
agricultural sector in the district.
After analyzing the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats faced by
agricultural sector and after analyzing the yield gaps that can be recovered in the
district, a comprehensive district agricultural plan was prepared with interventions in
agriculture and allied sectors. The interventions in agricultural sector include
measures such as supply of green manure seed, application of gypsum and supply
of zinc sulphate for improving the soil health and fertility. The interventions
suggested also included supply of farm equipment and establishment of custom
hiring centers to help the farmers get over the problem of labor shortage. There were
also proposals on supply of sprinkler sets for increasing water use efficiency,
supporting Farmers’ Field Schools (FFS) and strengthening extension support by
appointing Agricultural Officers, technology facilitators and model farmers,
development of human resources through training etc. The total investments on all
the interventions proposed in agriculture amounted to Rs. 8073.00 lakh. The
proposed growth rate in the agricultural sector is 4.0 per cent per year.
Horticultural sector which attained some growth in the recent years will be
encouraged further by establishing new nurseries for producing quality planting
material, establishment of new gardens, rejuvenation of the old and senile orchards,
introducing new horticultural crops and multistory cropping systems, hybrid varieties
of vegetables, loose flowers, provision of shade nets, plant protection equipment,
horticultural tools, drip irrigation etc., organic farming, strengthening extension by
appointing more technical personnel, capacity building of technical staff and farmers,
integrated orchard management, provision of post-harvest infrastructure, grading
and packing facilities etc., for the all round development of horticultural sector in the
district. The total investments required for the development of horticultural sector
over the next five years period is Rs. 1460.50 lakh and they are expected to put
horticulture on a higher growth trajectory of 6.5 per cent per year.
12
Sericulture in Vizianagaram district has just started to give further boost to sericulture
development in the district, a massive investment of Rs. 106.80 lakh is planned over
the next five years to sustain a 12.5 per cent growth per year. The catalytic
development program will be strengthened in all respects to give a further boost to
mulberry cultivation and silk production.
Vizianagaram district has substantial populations of livestock and small ruminants. It
is proposed to induct a large number of improved milch animals and heifer calves to
up grade the quality of livestock. Universal coverage of all livestock and small
ruminants by vaccination against foot and mouth disease in case of bovines and
against the common diseases in case of small ruminants is planned to reduce the
mortality and morbidity. Supply of feed to quality heifer calves, establishment of
permanent fodder units, supply of chaff cutters, provision of mobile disease
diagnostic laboratories and other measures required for the development of Animal
Husbandry sector are planned with a total investment of Rs. 4235.14 lakh over the
period of five years. The anticipated growth rate in the Animal Husbandry sector is
expected to reach 9.2 per cent per year as a result of all the development
investments planned. Similarly, fisheries sector will be developed through a set of
initiatives for strengthening production and marketing of fish at a cost of Rs. 657.00
lakh over the next five years. These investments are expected to the fish production
in the district over the next five years period at the rate of 5.2 per cent per year.
Besides, the investments in agriculture, horticulture, sericulture, animal husbandry
and fisheries, substantial investments are also planned to establish the village
markets and market information centers to cut down the marketing costs and
improve the price realization by the farmers. Similarly, the development investments
on irrigation, watershed development and poverty eradication programs will also be
intensified. The provision of production and development credit will keep pace with
the requirements of agriculture and allied sectors. This district agricultural plan can
bring dynamism to the district economy and raise the incomes of the rural people. It
has a potential to reverse the trends of desertification noted in some parts of the
district. It can make a big dent on the rural indebtedness and make the farmers
optimistic to look forward for a fast pace of development and improvement in their
living standards. It is hoped that the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) will
13
support the Comprehensive District Agricultural Plan (CDAP) for Srikakulam district
fully. Since Srikakulam district is one of the most backward districts of Andhra
Pradesh state, such a support is justified both from the point of view of increasing
production efficiency as well as from the angle of balanced regional development
and poverty alleviation. The proposed investments in different sub-sectors of
agriculture are summarized in the table below:
Table: Investments for development of agriculture and allied enterprises
S.No. Sector Investment(Rs.in lakh)
1. Agriculture 8073.002. Horticulture 1460.503. Sericultue 106.804. Animal husbandry 4235.145. Fisheries 657.006. Marketing 5890.757. SERP 797.68
Total 21220.87
The total investment required for the development of agriculture and allied
enterprises in Srikakulam district during XI plan period is estimated at Rs.21220.87
lakh. Agriculture accounts for about 38% of the total investment. Animal husbandry
accounted for 20% of the total investment. Horticulture sector received about 6.9% of
the total investment. Marketing activities got a share of 27.8% in the total investment.
Fisheries got an allocation of 3.1%, while sericulture received only 0.5% of the total
investment. SERP got a substantial allocation of 3.8% of the total investment.
The outcomes expected from different subsectors of agriculture as a result of the
investments that will be made are furnished in table below:
Table: Anticipated growth rates in different subsectors of agriculturre(In per cent)
S.No. Sector 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 Average1. Agriculure 3.8 3.9 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.02. Horticulutre 6.0 6.25 6.5 6.75 7.0 6.53. Sericulture 11.5 12.0 12.5 13.0 13.5 12.54. Animal
husbandry8.8 9.0 9.2 9.4 9.6 9.2
5. Fisheries 4.8 5.0 5.2 5.4 5.6 5.2Average 5.6 6.0 6.4 6.8 7.2 6.4
14
The total agricultural sector is expected to grow at an average rate of 6.4% per year
during the XI plan period. The highest growth rate of 12.5% per year is expected to
result in sericulture sector. Animal husbandry sector is projected to grow at the rate
of 9.2% per year during the XI plan period. Horticulture sector is expected to grow at
the rate of 6.5% per year. Fisheries sector is targeted to grow at the rate of 5.2% per
year. The slowest growth rate of 4.0% per year is expected to occur in case of crop
sector. Over the plan period, the growth rate is expected to accelearate, starting from
5.6% in 2007-08, and going up to 7.2% in 2011-12.
15
Chapter-IIntroduction
1.1 Back ground
Andhra Pradesh is predominantly an Agricultural state. Nearly two-thrid of the labor force
in the state depends on it for their livelihoods. But the share of agriculture in the state
income dropped below 20 per cent and the indications are that it may further fall to 15%
in the next five years. Due to this, the gap between those dependent on other sectors
and on agriculture is widening. This phenomenon of ‘retrogression’ which is occurring in
all parts of India is impacting the state much more severely. The rural people are
migrating urban areas and to distant places for livelihood. The state which was once
recognized as the ‘granary of the south’ is now finding it difficult even to meet its needs.
The state is adversely placed with respect to both soils and rainfall, which are the key
resources for agriculture. In India, the alluvial soils which are the most fertile type of soils
occupy about 40% of the land area. Another 40% of area is covered by black soils which
have intermediate levels of fertility. The red and sandy soils, which are poor in fertility,
occupy only 20% of the land area. But, in Andhra Pradesh, red and sandy soils occupy
as much as 65% of the land area and are very poor in soil fertility. Only 25% of the area
is under black soils, while the remaining 10% area is under alluvial soils. Thus, the
fertility as well as productivity levels of crops in Andhra Pradesh are generally below the
all India averages. The average annual rainfall of the state is only 925 mm, as against
the national average of 1150 mm. Besides the low quantum of rainfall, there is a high
degree of variability in the rainfall across locations and years.
Only about 38% of the gross cropped area in state is irrigated. It is slightly higher than
the national average of about 35%. Due to poor soils and low rainfall, the need for
irrigation is quite high in Andhra Pradesh. Rainfed farming gives very poor yields and
contributes only about 22% to agricultural production as against 44% which is the
estimated contribution of rainfed farming at the national level. The state is frequently
affected by droughts of moderate to severe intensity. Equally frequent are the instances
of damages to crops by floods, heavy rains and cyclones. Agriculture in the state is risky
and less viable when compared with the other parts of the country.
Andhra Pradesh had the benefit of irrigation projects constructed 160 years ago on
rivers, Godavari and Krishna. But as the upper riparian states, Maharashtra and
16
Karnataka have built many projects in the up streams of these rivers. During drought
years, water flows in the rivers are quite scanty as it happened during the early years of
21st century. The agricultural production received a set back and farmers reeled under
continuous droughts. The production costs have risen faster than the output prices and
farming has become non-viable, particularly in the predominantly rainfed areas of the
state. The farmers have shifted to cash crops because of non-viability of food crops. It
increased risks and farmers ended up with losses quite frequently. The tenant farmers
and small farmers are unable to access credit from institutional sources and had to
depend on moneylenders who charge higher rates of interest. The average debt per
farmer in Andhra Pradesh was found to be twice the amount at the all India level. Due to
frequent crop failures and harassment of lenders, many farmers lost hope and
committed suicides. The relief package of Prime Minister helped some farmers in the
chronically drought hit districts. But, agricultural sector needs more investments both
from the government as well as from the farmers to face the problems confronting it.
1.2 The main concerns of agricultural sector in the state are summarized below:
1. Land continues to be a critical concern from many angles. On one side, size of the
operational holding has been coming down significantly. On the other side, soil
health has deteriorated significantly in the recent past affecting factor productivity
especially of fertilisers. The reduction of the organic carbon in the soil also led to
many micro-nutrient deficiencies, besides deterioration in the texture and structure
of the soils which again adversely impacted moisture retention capacity.
2. Wide fluctuations in sown area as well as in irrigated area have become a common
phenomenon. Weather changes, monsoon failures, un-scientific ground water
exploitation, poor reservoir-management, power shortages and investment-holiday
in the 1990s in surface irrigation and drainage, are mainly responsible for this
unfortunate development. To get over these problems, the state should focus on
conjunctive-use of surface and ground water, investments in surface irrigation and
drainage, watershed management in rained areas and special effort to bring
current fallows and cultivable wastes under cultivation.
3. There is a clear deceleration in crop-sector growth in recent past. This is, on
account of many factors including failure in maintaining soil health and inadequate
investments in irrigation. But the most notable among all the factors responsible for
the poor performance is the failure to bridge yield gaps in almost all the major
crops. These gaps are because of knowledge gaps or lack of skills and awareness
17
or due to resource constraints. Critical interventions are needed to bridge the
substantial yield gaps.
4. Reinvigorating extension and research systems is crucial as investment in both
these areas is low when compared to the same in neighbouring states. Without a
good extension system, other interventions cannot be implemented.
5. Substantial indebtedness in the farming community and poor credit coverage are
other matters of concern. Due to rise in cost of production, the credit needs have
increased. But due to increase in the oral tenancy contracts, the accessibility to
credit from formal financial institutions has become difficult, particularly for the
tenant farmers. Decline in long-term credit for making investments in assets like
wells has become a serious concern. High rate of failures in digging wells is
another issue about which the state has to worry.
6. There is urgency to un-burden agriculture by shifting substantial man-power to
non-farm sector, as gainful employment opportunities are limited in agricultural
sector.
7. Rainfed agriculture continues to be less rewarding. More than 70% of the area
under rained cultivation is covered by oil seeds, pulses and cotton. The poor
performance in oil seeds sector has caused stagnation in the crop sector. Besides
seed, extension and credit which are common to both irrigated and rainfed
agriculture, special focus on watershed management, diversification to tree crops
and good mechanization are vital for rainfed agriculture.
8. Improving the marketing efficiency by modernization, expansion of infrastructure
and establishment of specialized markets for commodities like banana, turmeric,
chillies, onions etc, is the need of the hour.
9. Minimizing production losses, substitution of inefficient native breeds by more
input-responsive breeds and expansion of procurement network are needed for the
development of livestock sector.
10. Poor productivity levels of fruit crops because of large extents under old and senile
gardens needs early attention. Use of hybrid seeds in vegetable crops, expansion
of areas under modern and efficient micro-irrigation systems, poly-houses for
quality and off-season production and investments for modernizing markets and
processing units are the interventions needed in horticultural sector.
11. Poor productivity levels of fish in case of reservoirs and tanks are concerns which
need to be addressed. The gap in productivity levels across districts needs special
18
attention. Modern mechanized crafts and quality infrastructure are also necessary
for exploitation of marine resources.
12. Productivity levels in mulberry based sericulture are quite lower than what they are
in neighbouring China. Reeling infrastructure is also very poor and inefficient in the
state. Both the problems related to production and processing are to be addressed.
1.3 Purpose of DAPsThe district agricultural plans are being prepared in this background to serve the purpose
of attracting more investments for the development of agriculture. While announcing the
Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), Prime Minister mentioned that the central
government will support the states which are increasing their own investments for
agricultural development. The state government has stepped up investments on surface
and lift irrigation projects to utilize the river waters that are flowing in to the sea. On
several occasions, the political leadership has reiterated its commitment to the welfare of
the farmers in the state. It is supplying power to the farmers who lift water from below the
ground free of cost. But the massive investments involved in surface irrigation projects
and supply of free power do not normally count as expenditures meant for agricultural
development. The state government has been pleading with the government of India to
consider these critical investments as agricultural development expenditures. While the
decisions on these aspects are awaited, the state government is interested to increase
other investments meant for agricultural development. The district agricultural plans are
being prepared in a bottom-up manner to assess the requirements of funds for
development of agriculture and allied sectors in each of the districts. While seeking
support from RKVY, the state government is interested in mobilizing funds for
agricultural development from other schemes and sources. Although when the
development plans are prepared, the available funds may be falling short of
requirements, other opportunities may arise in due course to access additional funds
needed from donors and development investors.
1.4 Methodology
The state government has divided the 9 Agro-climatic zones in the state namely High
altitude and tribal area, North coastal, Godavari, Krishna, Southern, Northern Telangana,
Central Telangana, Southern Telangana and Scarce rainfall zones into 322 farming
situations based on the cropping pattern, availability of irrigation source, soil class,
19
temperature levels and rainfall data. In each farming situation, careful analysis was
carried out on the yield gaps for each crop. The yield gap was calculated as the
difference between the best farmers’ yield of that crop in that specific farming situation
and the representative (average) farmers’ yield of that crop in the same situation. The
factors responsible for the yield gap were identified through discussions with the farmers
and the scientists from SAU. The gap was mainly on account of differences in
knowledge, skills, awareness and resources. Knowledge, awareness and skill gaps
could be bridged only through strengthening extension system, training and
demonstrations. Resource gaps are planned to be bridged by promoting investments
and subsidising critical inputs.
The planning is also done from the micro-level. After the setting up of Agricultural
Technology Management Agency (ATMA), there is an emphasis on micro level planning.
Block level technology teams are conducting diagnostic surveys in different farming
situations and are identifying constraints. Almost all the villages are covered by these
surveys and the feedback is collected from a number of groups of farmers. Wherever
possible, sarpanches and members of the gram panchayat were involved with the
processes of taking feed back and diagnosing the constraints. The data collected from
the panchayat level are aggregated first at the mandal level (comprising of 15 to 20
villages) and then at the ADA circle level (more or less corresponding to taluka level in
other states). The data on area, production, productivity, problem soils etc are validated
at the mandal level. The data are finally aggregated at the district level. The thrust areas
are decided based on the feed back from villages. The objectives and concerns
expressed by the farmers also relate to increasing productivity, building up of soil fertility,
market oriented production, mechanization and micro-irrigation to improve precision and
resource productivity. The aspirations of the farmers are reflected in high growth rates
targeted for the XI plan period. Production strategies are planned for different sub-
sectors and the investment requirements are estimated.
After completing yield gap analysis for all the crops in all the farming situations, the
attention has turned to administration of interventions at the field level. There are more
than 21000 gram panchayats in Andhra Pradesh, each covering a population of 500 to
15000. There is no delivery system at present at the Grama panchayat level for
extension purposes. Appointing extension workers in all gramapanchayats for all
departments is found to be not viable and, hence, it was decided to cosider mandal
parishad as an ideal administrative unit for implementation purpose. Each mandal
20
covers approximately 10000 ha and 15 to 20 villages. Various departments have their
field level functionaries located at the mandal level. After zeroing on mandal level, 322
farming situations were superimposed on the 1104 Mandals. As expected, we have the
mandal level farming situations covering all the crops grown in that mandal. Using this
base data and yield gap analysis carried out already, mandal level crop sector
agricultural plans were prepared by the SAU and departmental teams jointly.
Horticultural crops and sericulture were also included in the mandal level agricultural
plan. Other allied departments like animal husbandry, fisheries etc have developed the
plans similarly and given their mandal level plans separately which were integrated in
the District Agricultural Plan. However, reporting data by mandal is found to be unwieldy.
Some of the large districts have more than 60 mandals and reporting such detailed
information by mandal was considered to be too cumbersome. Hence, the mandal level
information was aggregated by ADA circle and data were reported by ADA circle. Each
district has about 10 to 20 ADA circles and they are akin to taluks in other states. Since
the standard formats given by the government of India require reporting of results by
taluk, this level of aggregation is considered appropriate.
The departmental plans looked at the availability of resources from existing schemes
and the balance amounts required for the interventions were shown as additional funds
needed for that intervention at the district level. By integrating all the district plans and
prioritising major interventions, the state level agricultural plan will be drawn. Proposals
under stream-I of RKVY are worked out based on the major interventions proposed. Of
course, plans for research under Acharya N.G Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU),
Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University (SVVU), Horticultural University and broadband
connectivity will be aggregated at the state level only. There is a quasi-government
agency, ‘Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty’ (SERP), which is implementing some
initiatives to reduce use of pesticides and to promote marketing of some products.
Wherever possible, the activities of SERP were integrated in to the district agricultural
plans.
21
Chapter-IIGeneral description of the district
2.1 Introduction
The district is skirted to a distance by Kandivalasa Gedda, Vamsadhara, Bahuda at
certain stretches of the courses while a line of heights of the great eastern ghats run
from North East. Vizianagaram district flanks on the south and west while Orissa
bounds it on its north and Bay of Bengal on the east. The total area of the district is
5837 Sq. km. It has a population of 2537, 593, according to 2001 census. The
district derived its name from Srikakulam, its headquarters town. Srikakulam district
was carved out in 1950 by bifurcating it from Visakhapatnam district. It remained
unaffected in its territorial jurisdiction for quite some time. But in November, 1969 the
district lost 63 villages from Salur taluk and 44 villages from Bobbili taluk to the newly
constituted Gajapathinagaram taluk of Visakhapatnam district. Again in May 1979,
the district had undergone major territorial changes due to newly formed district, with
Vizianagaram as its headquarters.
2.1.1 Map of the districtFig 1. District map
22
2.1.2 General statistics2.1.2.1 Administrative divisions and planning unit
Srikakulam district is divided in to 38 mandals and 1085 panchayats. The gram
panchayat is too small a unit to be considered as a planning and monitoring unit. So,
the mandal has been considered as a planning unit for various agricultural and allied
activities.Therefore, in this report, constraints, strategies and schemes relevant to
each mandal have been worked out and are aggregated at ADA circle or division
level. An ADA circle is similar to a taluk in other states in terms of geographical
coverage. The data are eventually converged to district level and state level for
planning and reporting purposes.
2.1.2.2 Population details
The details about villages and population in the district are given in table 1.
Srikakulam district has 1818 revenue villages, out of which 95 are un-inhabited. The
1723 inhabited villages are organized into 1080 gram panchayats. Tekkali ADA circle
has the highest number of gram panchayats, even though Palasa ADA circle has
more number of populated revenue villages. Srikakulam ADA circle has the lowest
number of gram panchayats and revenue villages. The population of the district is
25.1 lakh as per 2001 census. The population density is higher at 436 persons per
sq km. The female population is slightly higher than that of male population in the
district. The sex ratio of males in females is 1:1.01. Male population is higher than
female population only in Ranasthalam, Srikakulam and Rajam ADA circles. In all
the six other ADA circles, female population is higher than that of male population.
The scheduled caste population formed nine percent of the district population, while
the scheduled tribes population was about six percent of the total population. The
scheduled tribes population is concentrated in Palakonda, Palasa and Sompeta ADA
circles.
2.1.2.3 Agrarian structure
The marginal and small farmers dominate the number of holdings, but not in the
ownership of land area. The category wise number of holdings and areas owned by
them in the district are detailed in table 2. The average size of holding in the district is
only 0.71 ha. No wonder that the marginal farmers have a big share of 78.8 per cent
23
in the number of holdings. But their share in the land area owned is only 41.1 per
cent. Small farmers form only 14.67 per cent of the land holdings, while their share in
land holdings is about twice as that. Medium farmers constitute only 6.45 per cent,
but their share in land area is nearly four or five times of that. Large farmers have an
insignificant share of 0.1 per cent in the number of holdings, but their share in land
area is as high as 1.73 per cent.
2.1.2.4 Farming situations
The district is divided into 13 farming situations based on rainfall, soil type, cropping
sequence, water availability and productivity levels. Field problems and productivity
gaps differ significantly from situation to situation. Therefore, it is felt necessary to
identify the various farming situations and identify the factors responsible for the gaps
between potential and existing yields in each case and try to bridge them in a
systematic manner. In each situation, information was collected on the size of
productivity gap along with factors responsible for the gaps. Detailed farming
situation based action plans are prepared in consultation with Scientists of ANGRAU
to bridge the gaps between present and potential levels of productivity.
2.2 District at a glance2.2.1 Location and geographical units
Srikakulam district is the extreme northeastern district in Andhra Pradesh, situated
within the geographical coordinates of 18-20` and 19-10` of northern latitude and 83-
50` and 84-50` of eastern longitude. The district comprises of 38 mandals and is
divided into three revenue divisions, viz., Srikakulam, Tekkali and Palakonda, 9
Agricultural sub-divisions and 1865 revenue villages. The district is having 193 km
long coast line, covering 13 mandals.
2.2.2 Demographic features
The total population of the district is 25.37 lakh. Literacy percentage is 55.31.
47.33% of the total population is working population, out of which 89% is employed
in Agricultural Sector. The share of scheduled Castes population in the district
population is 9.05% and that of scheduled tribes is 5.96%.
24
2.2.3 Topography and agro-climatic characteristics2.2.3.1 Rivers
The important rivers in the district are Nagavali, Vamsadhara, Suvarnamukhi,
Vegavathi, Gomukhi, Champavathi, Mahendratanaya, Bahuda and Kumbhikota
gedda. The Vamsadhara arises in the eastern ghats of Orissa state and enters
Srikakulam district in Bhamini mandal and finally falls into the Bay of Bengal near
Calingapatnam. The Nagavali and Suvarnamukhi rivers also originate in
easternghats. While Nagavali enters in Vangara mandal, it joins the Bay of Bengal at
Kallepalli near Srikakulam. Arising in Pachipenta hills, the Vegavathi river flows from
west to east and ultimately joins the river Suvarnamukhi. Gomukhi joins
Suvarnamukhi at Sirlam village of Vizianagaram district. Mahendratanaya, which is
a tributary of Vamsadhara, joins the later at Komanapalli village in Hiramandalam
mandal.
2.2.3.2 Hills
The hill areas are located at Seethamapeta and Mahendratanaya hills. The
Integrated Tribal Development Agency is situated at Seethampeta which prepares a
sub-plan with a jurisdiction of 22 mandals in the district.
2.2.3.3. Sea-coast
The district is having 193 kms of long coast line, covering 13 mandals. The mandals
having sea-coast are Ranasthalam, Laveru, Srikakulam, Gara, Polaki,
Santhabommali, Tekkali, Palasa, V.Kothuru, Kaviti, Sompeta, Kanchili, Ichapuram.
2.2.3.4 Forest
The total forest area in the district is 0.684 lakh ha, which accounts for 11.76% of the
total geographical area. The forests in the district exhibit a variety of local changes in
quality composition and density. The forests are of varying types, greatly differing in
nature, intermixed and interrupted by superior and inferior types. These show much
diversity in representation and combination of the main species. The South Indian
moist deciduous which includes mixed forests, Sal forests and hilly savannas, the
South-India dry ever green miscellaneous forests. The orchards mainly comprising of
25
mango, cashew and coconut are in the coastal mandals. The social forestry is
popular among farmers and they are raising casuarina and eucalyptus.
2.2.3.5 Climate
The district falls under tropical climatic zone and experiences extreme hot summer
and severe winter. Summer temperatures go even up to 45oC, while cold waves in
the uplands of the district cause as low temperatures as 12-15oC in winter. The
average rainfall of the district is 1162 mm. The southwest monsoon contributes
major portion of annual rainfall, with 60.67% share, followed by the northeast
monsoon with 23.84%. The remaining 15.49% of the rainfall is received during the
winter and summer periods. Frequent cyclones of different intensities and tidal
storms cause natural calamities, affecting the central tracts of Srikakulam,
particularly causing deterioration of ground water in the coastal aquifers.
2.2.4 Land use pattern and land holdings2.2.4.1 Land utilization
The total geographical area of the district is 5.387 lakh ha (table 3). About 48% of the
total geographical area is sown to crops. Forest area forms only 12% of the total
area. About 16% area is put to non-agricultural uses. Current fallows are substantial
at 13.7% of geographical area.
2.2.4.2 Land holdings
The distribution of land holdings and land area by different categories of farms is
given in table 4. The marginal holdings account for 79% of the total holdings in the
district. But they have only 40% of the land area under them. Small farmers had a
share of 14% in the holdings, but they had a 27% share in the land area. Semi
medium farmers with holdings ranging between two and four ha had a five per cent
share in the number of holdings. But they share in land area was about four times
their share in land holdings. Medium sized farms constituted only one per cent of the
holdings, but they had as much as 10% of the land area with them. There are only
488 large farmers who formed only 0.1% of the land holdings but they share in land
area is as high as 3%. Thus, the distribution of land between different size groups of
farmers was quite un-equal.
26
2.2.5 Irrigation and groundwater2.2.5.1 Agro-climate
The district falls under tropical climatic zone and experiences extreme hot summer
and severe winter. Summer temperatures go even up to 45˚C, while cold waves in
the uplands of the district cause as low temperatures as 12˚C to 15˚C. The
Agricultural season commences with the onset of south-west monsoon mostly during
2nd week of June every year. The district is divided into three revenue divisions i.e.
Srikakulam, Tekkali and Palakonda. The agro climatic conditions are similar in
Srikakulam and Tekkali divisions, but the Palakonda division falls under high
altitude and high rainfall zone.
2.2.5.2 Rainfall
The rainfall of the district is influenced by both the south-west and north-east
Monsoons. The total normal rainfall of the district is 1162 mm. The southwest
monsoon contributes a major portion of 60.67% (705mm) of rainfall, followed by the
northeast monsoon which contributes 23.84% of (277mm) of annual rainfall. Out of
the remaining, 2.23% (26mm) is received during the winter and the balance 13.26%
(154mm) in summer period.
Fig 2 Monsoon wise Rainfall
61%24%
2%
13%
South-West MonsoonNorth-East MonsoonWinterHot Weather Period
27
The rainfall pattern during the last six years is given in table 5. Frequent cyclones of
different intensities and tidal storms are natural calamities affecting the sea-coast
mandals and causing deterioration of ground water quality in the coastal aquifers.
2.2.5.3 Irrigation
The area under irrigation in Srikakulam district is about 1.872 lakh ha, which forms
63.8% of the total cropped area. The area irrigated by different sources is given in
table 6. Canals are the chief source of irrigation, followed by tanks. While canals
account for 59.8 per cent of the total irrigated area, tanks have a share of 33% in it.
Tube wells / filter points and other sources have relatively smaller shares in the
irrigated area.
2.2.6 District income2.2.6.1 Contribution of sub-sectors of agriculture to district GDP
Agriculture sector plays an important role in the economy of the district. The share of
agriculture and allied sectors in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the district ranges
between 24 and 29%. The contribution of agriculture and allied sectors to the GDP of
the district during the years, 2000-01 to 2004-05 is given in table 7. The share of field
crops sector ranged between a low of 16.34 per cent in 2002-03 and 21.75 per cent
in 2003-04. The contribution of livestock sector was more stable between 5 and 6 per
cent till 2003-04 before increasing to 7.19 per cent in 2004-05.The contribution of
fishery sector is also stable between 2.01 and 2.55 per cent in these years. The
contribution of the total agricultural sector touched a low of 24.84 per cent during the
Fig 3 Source wise area irrigated (Lakh Ha.)
1.12
0.618
0.1170.017
CanalsTanksTube wells, Filter pointsOthers
28
drought year of 2002-03, but otherwise centered round 29 per cent in the other four
years.
.2.2.6.2 Growth rate
The growth rate in field crop sector was negative in the drought year of 2002-03 and
that in the overall agriculture sector was also negative in that year. The growth rate
was negative for livestock sector in 2001-02 and for fishing sector in 2003-04.The
average growth was about 9.8 per cent in field crop sector, about 28 per cent in
livestock sector and 9.3 per cent in the fishery sector. The overall growth in the total
agricultural sector averaged about 11%. The growth rates of different sub-sectors of
agriculture during 2000-01 to 2004-05 are given in table 8.
28.29 28.76
24.84
29.16 29.16
222324252627282930
2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05
Fig 4 GDDP-Srikakulam District
Series1
Fig 5 Growth rate of Srikakulam District
25.62
3.63
-11.29
30.78
9.52
-15-10
-505
101520253035
2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05
Series1
29
2.3 Development vision and strategy
The broad vision and strategy have been developed at the state level. The important
objective is to accelerate the production of different commodities mainly through
improvements in productivity. There is also emphasis on reclamation of problem
soils and putting fallow lands under plantations like simarouba, jatropha, pongamia
etc to contribute to the production of bio-fuels. But the planning is also done from the
micro-level. After the setting up of Agricultural Technology Management Agency
(ATMA), there is an emphasis on micro level planning. Block level technology teams
are conducting diagnostic surveys in different farming situations and are identifying
constraints. Almost all the villages are covered by these surveys and the feedback is
collected from a number of groups of farmers. Wherever possible, sarpanches and
members of the gram panchayat were involved with the processes of taking feed
back and diagnosing the constraints. The data collected from the panchayat level are
aggregated first at the mandal level (comprising of 15 to 20 villages) and then at the
ADA circle level (more or less corresponding to taluka level in other states). The data
on area, production, productivity, problem soils etc are validated at the mandal level.
The data are finally aggregated at the district level. The thrust areas are decided
based on the feed back from villages. The objectives and concerns expressed by the
farmers also relate to increasing productivity, building up of soil fertility, market
oriented production, mechanization and micro-irrigation to improve precision and
resource productivity. The aspirations of the farmers are reflected in high growth
rates targeted for the XI plan period. Production strategies are planned for different
sub-sectors and the investment requirements are estimated. A part of the support to
implement these plans will, hopefully, come from RKVY. The district and state level
officials of different departments will have to find the balance of resources from other
schemes, which are operational in the district.
Reflecting the people’s concerns and aspiration, the plan will work towards achieving
the district vision of infusing the rural economy with investments in agriculture and
other allied sector for generating the enterprise profitability and sustainability for well
being of families and businesses of Srikakulam district.
30
Chapter-IIISWOT analysis
3.1 Introduction
Before preparing any development plan for a geographical entity like a district, it is
necessary to assess its Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. The
strengths and weaknesses refer to the internal forces, some of which like a good
resource base are referred to as strengths and some others like vulnerabi lity to
natural calamities are categorized as weaknesses. Opportunities and threats refer to
external forces, which are more dynamic and those forces which enable the
development of an area are opportunities and those that hinder the development or
threaten the existence of some economic activity are classified as threats. The
impact of external forces can sometimes, convert a weakness in to an opportunity or
transform strength in to a threat.
3.2 SWOT analysis of the district3.2.1 Strengths
Srikakulam district has fairly high rainfall of 1162 mm. About 60 per cent of it is
received during south-west monsoon. This high rainfall and fairly long growing
season is good enough to support rain fed crops in the district. The irrigation
coverage is also fairly high at 64 per cent. The soils are quite diverse with 29 per
cent area under black soils and 50 per cent of the area under silt clay and sandy clay
loams. Both these types of soils have medium fertility. Only 21 per cent of the soils
are light soils with less water retention capacity and fertility. A diverse set of crops
can be grown in the district with reasonably good yields. Most of the farmers are
personally engaged in cultivation. The district has research stations at Ragolu and
Amudalavalasa, besides the College of Agricuture at Naira. These research stations
provide the necessary technological support to the farmers in the district. The district
also has a lot of area under cashew and mango plantations. The cashew processing
units at Palasa provide the marketing support to cashew farmers. Paddy, groundnut,
sesamum, sugarcane and mesta are the important crops in the district. The area
under horticulture is picking up with more diversification in favour of vegetables and
fruit crops. The district has a long coast line and other water resources needed to
support both marine and inland fisheries. Cattle are dominant producers of milk in
31
the district with systematic efforts to upgrade the genetic stock yielding benefits
already. In most parts of the district, it is the integrated farming systems with crops,
livestock and horticulture providing contributions to incomes of the households.
3.2.2 Weaknesses
The district is quite prone to natural calamities, very often suffering from heavy rains,
floods and cyclones. Parts of the district also face drought conditions in some years.
The soils are generally light and cannot hold much moisture. They cannot support
crops without irrigation in many areas. Marginal and small farmers dominate the land
holdings and have very little investment capacity. Farmers did not make adequate
investments for exploration of ground water and do not have assured captive
sources of irrigation. The irrigation sources are dependent on rainfall and hence
there is variability in the irrigation coverage. The infrastructure is quite poor
particularly in the agency tracts. The district had developed irrigation sources long
back and did not progress much in the recent decades. Certain stagnation has
reached in the agriculture sectors of the district. Because of employment
opportunities in near by cities like Visakhapatnam, there is migration of labor from
rural areas which is creating a labor scarcity and increase in wage rate. Farmers find
it difficult to earn a surplus after meeting the high input costs and labor wages. Mesta
cultivation as well as its processing has reached stagnation due to demand
constraint for the products. Despite a high proportion of irrigation, agricultural sector
contributes only 24 to 29 per cent to the GDP in the district. The population pressure
is quite high due to which the holdings are getting divided and are becoming smaller
and smaller.
3.2.3 Opportunities
There are several initiatives which bring new opportunities to the farmers in
Srikakulam district. Under the Jalayagnam project, two phases of Vamsadhara
stage-II project, Thotapalli regulator and Maddulavalasa project are being
constructed. These projects will both increase as well as stabilize irrigated area in
the district. The augmentation of irrigation sources will help the farmers to get higher
yields. The land values are going up as a result of the rapid urbanization happening
around Visakhapatnam city. Much of the Srikakulam district comes under
32
Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Development Authority. Construction of the highways
has made the movement of the people and goods quite fast. The increase in land
prices has provided an opportunity for those who want to quit farming and move to
other sectors for their livelihood. People who made money from non-agricultural
sectors are investing in lands for speculative purposes in general and out of genuine
interest in farming in some cases. The new land owners have the capacity to invest
in land development and improved technologies. This trend may augur well to the
farming sector because of infusion of capital from new sources. The output prices,
both of food and cash crops, are on the rise and they may increase the rate of return
on investments significantly and provide new hope to the farmers. The demand for
milk, meat, eggs, fruits and vegetables is increasing and the process of
diversification in to these high value commodities is likely to intensify further.
Farmers are taking up micro-irrigation in a big way which will help in increasing the
water-use efficiency and in achieving enterprise diversification. The recent loan
waiver program and the earlier Prime Minister’s relief package have freed small and
marginal farmers from the bond of debt. They can avail fresh credit and invest it on
their farms. The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) has brought
work and income to agriculture labor households. The product prices are likely to
increase further and may make agriculture and allied enterprises more remunerative.
3.2.4 Threats
The threats to agriculture and allied sectors come from many sources. Due to
deviations in rainfall and predominance of light soils, the agricultural enterprises are
becoming riskier. The predictions of climate change point out to decrease in rainfall
and increase in temperatures. Both these anticipated changes may further dent the
viability of agriculture in the district. The labor wages are going up in real terms and
after the implementation of NREGS, the working hours have reduced. Due to this
increase in real wages without a commensurate increase in productivity, the
agriculture tends to become less profitable. The loan waiver scheme has destroyed
the credit discipline and farmers may not get credit both from institutional as well as
non-institutional sources of credit. The increase in fuel prices may apply brakes on
farm mechanization trend. The globalization of markets will put the farmers from
advanced countries at an advantage because they are backed by huge subsidies
from their governments. With in the country, farmers from irrigated areas are
33
expected to do better due to heavy incidence of subsidies for irrigated crops. A
partially rain fed district like Srikakulam may find it an unequal battle to compete with
the neighboring districts with higher irrigation coverage. Some of the internal
weaknesses may get exacerbated by the external threats looming large on the
agricultural sector in the district.
3.3 Emerging issues from SWOT analysis
Despite some weaknesses and threats, Srikakulam district has a lot of potential for
the growth of agricultural and allied enterprises. The high minimum support price of
Rs.850 per qtl of paddy may instill new confidence and enthusiasm among the rice
farmers to intensify their investments for achieving higher yields. The proposal to
increase it further to Rs.1000 per qtl of paddy, if materialized, will put more
enthusiasm in the farmers to produce more. Similarly, the prices of sugarcane,
groundnut and sesamum are also increasing and it will pay rich dividends to farmers
due to attractive prices. The prices of other pulses and oilseed crops are also
increasing and they may result in higher returns to investment in agriculture. Thus,
all the major field crops are having a favorable environment for increasing
production. The full potential for horticulture development is not yet fully utilized. The
Agricultural Research Stations at Ragolu and Amudalavalasa are addressing the
problems of agriculture and horticulture in the district. There are some problems of
soil salinity in some parts of the district, but these can be overcome through
appropriate investments and schemes. Labor scarcity is an issue but selected
mechanization of farm operations can relieve pressure in the long run. The livestock
and fisheries sectors may see acceleration in their rates of growth due to burgeoning
demand for livestock and fishery products. Some companies have come forward for
contract farming in case of seed production and broiler production. These systems
minimize risk to farmers and are hence attracting many farmers. Sericulture is also
poised for growth due to the initiatives of the department and favorable weather for
mulberry cultivation and silkworm rearing. The district is leading in farm forestry
enterprises which are quite profitable. Thus, the problems faced by agricultural
sector in the district can be overcome through appropriate policies and investments.
The prices of agricultural commodities are now ruling high and they are sure to
attract more investments in to agricultural sectors to overcome problems and
34
achieve higher levels of production in both agriculture and allied sectors in the
district.
3.4 Sectoral / Regional growth drivers of the district
With reasonably good resource endowments and progressive nature of the farmers,
all the sub-sectors of agriculture can be good growth drivers in the district. Among
the field crops, rice, sugarcane, groundnut and sesamum are all poised for growth
because of the favorable price and demand situation on one hand and new
technologies available for increasing productivity on the other hand. The scope for
new areas receiving irrigation facilities makes it possible to increase areas under
these crops. It should not be difficult to achieve a production growth of more than 5
per cent per year in case of the field crops. Horticulture is definitely a growth driver
with a possibility to grow at 7 to 8 per cent per year. Fruit crops like cashew nut,
banana, coconut and pomegranate etc have a good scope for area expansion. The
demand for vegetables is increasing and higher prices can attract more farmers to
make investments in vegetable cultivation. With the government willing to subsidize
the supply of hybrid seeds, farmers can easily increase the yields of vegetable crops
by 30 to 40 per cent. The growing demand for flowers may attract more farmers
towards it to realize higher profits. Organic farming is becoming popular, particularly
in case of turmeric and ginger in the tribal areas. Besides horticulture, aqua culture
can continue to be a good growth sector. With virtually no demand constraint for fish
and prawns, there is a good scope for increasing the area under ponds as well as to
increase their productivity. By stocking the reservoirs like Thotapalli reservoir with
adequate fish seed, the fish production can be increased at a fast pace. It should not
be difficult to achieve more than 6 per cent growth in fisheries sector. Animal
husbandry has made rapid strides in the recent years and it has still got a potential to
remain a good growth sector because of constantly increasing demand for milk,
meat and eggs. It can achieve a growth rate exceeding 7 per cent per year.
Sericulture has a limited base but the farmers who have taken it up are realizing
good returns. The expansion of area under high yielding varieties of mulberry and
use of advance equipment for rearing can accelerate the growth rate in this sector.
Due to low base, it should not be difficult to achieve a growth rate of more than 10
per cent per year in sericulture sector, if the infrastructure is strengthened to supply
DFLs in adequate number. The dry land areas are buzzing with the activity of farm
35
forestry with the government support, Eucalyptus clones, Subabool and casurina are
becoming popular with the efforts of nurseries and paper product companies which
are ready to buy the produce of farm forestry. Each one of these sub-sectors of
agriculture can grow at growth rates ranging between 5 to 10 per cent per year if the
necessary interventions are supported to reduce the yield gaps in all the farming
situations. Rural industries are also important growth sectors with the scope for
processing and cold chains being brighter. Many small scale industries can come up
in the district because of the existence of a pool of entrepreneurs with sufficient
resources. In a booming economy like India, a growing district like Srikakulum is all
set to grow fast to meet the aspirations of the people.
36
Chapter-IVDevelopment of Agriculture Sector
4.1 Introduction
The agricultural sector in Srikakulam district has good potential to grow. With nearly
two-thrid of the cropped area covered by irrigation and the incidence of high rainfall,
both the irrigated and rain fed crops can do well in the district. The soils are quite
diverse and can support a broad range of crops. Paddy, sugarcane, groundnut and
sesamum are important crops grown in the district. With the augmentation of
irrigation resources by the Jalayagnam projects, there is good scope for expansion
of irrigated area and increases in crop yields. With the output price situation being
favorable, the profitability of crops is likely to increase.
4.2 Land use
The particulars of land utilization during 2005-06 are furnished in table 9 by ADA
circle. About 12% of the total geographical area in the district is under forests. About
nine per cent of the area is under barren and uncultivable land. Land under non
agricultural uses constituted 16% of the total area. There is hardly any area under
pastures or under land other than cultivable fallow. But 14% of the geographical area
is under current fallows. The net sown area formed 48% of the total geographical
area. The average copping intensity in the district is 140%. The cropping intensity is
higher than the district average in the ADA circles of Narasannapeta, Palakonda,
Srikakulam, Kotturu and Tekkali. In the other four ADA circles the cropping intensity
recorded is lower than the district average. Sompeta and Palasa ADA circles have
the lowest cropping intensity.
4.3 Soil health4.3.1 Soils
In the district, sandy loams and sandy soils cover 21% of land area, while red soils,
silt clay loams and sand clay loam soils together account for 50% of the area. Black
cotton soils have a share of 29% in the soils of the district. Problematic soils i.e.
acidic soils, represent 0.6% of the soils (mainly in Ichapuram, Palakonda,
Saravakota, Amadalavalasa and Pathapatnam mandals) and Saline soils represent
10% of the area (in Veeraghattam, Santhakaviti mandals) and Alkaline soils extend
37
over 4.4% of the area (Kotabommali, Ranasthalam, Pondur, Saravakota and
Ichapuram mandals).
4.3.2 Fertility status
a) Nitrogen: Status of Nitrogen is medium in all 38 mandals.
b) Phosphorous: Status of phosphorous is low in 14 mandals i.e. Gara, Etcherla,
Narasannapeta, Saravakota, Mandasa, G.Sigadam, Burja, Vangara, Santhakaviti,
Pathapatnam, Bhamini, Hiramandalam, L.N.Peta, Sarubujjili). It is medium in the rest
of 24 mandals.
c) Potash: Potash status is high in Gara mandal and it is medium in the remaining
37 mandals.
4.3.3 Cultivated area under different soil types (lakh ha)
1. Black cotton soils : 0.850
2. Sandy loams, sandy soils : 0.616
3. Silt clay, Sandy clay loams : 1.466
4. Total : 2.932
4.3.4 Results of soil tests in the recent period
The results of soil tests carried out between 2000-01 and 2006-07 are given in table
10. 99% of the samples, which reported results for soil reaction, indicated that the
samples exhibited neutral reaction. Only a few cases reported acidic as well as
Fig 6 SOILS IN SRIKAKULAM DISTRICT
29%
21%
50%
Black cotton soils
Sandy loams, sandysoils Silt clay, Sandy clayloams
38
alkaline reaction. Most of the samples had low levels of electrical conducting. About
one per cent of the samples showed either medium or high levels of electrical
conductivity. Out of the samples for which data were reported for organic mater
content, 80% showed low levels of organic mater in them. About 15% samples
showed medium levels of organic mater while the remaining 5% of the samples
reported high levels of organic carbon. All the samples for which results are available
reported low levels of available phosphorus and high levels of available potash.
4.3.5 Results of micro nutrient analysis
The results of soil sample analysis for micronutrient status are given in table
11.There is no problem of micro nutrient deficiencies in Srikakulam district. None of
the 15543 samples reported any deficiency of either iron or manganese. In case of
copper also, only 34 samples were deficient out of 15543 samples. It implies that
only 2% of the samples showed copper deficiency. All other 98% of the samples had
sufficient copper in them. In case of zinc, deficient was noted in 234 samples out of
3885 samples analyzed for zinc deficiency. It means that even zinc deficiency was
restricted to only 6% of the samples in Srikakulam district. Thus, by and large, there
is no problem of micro nutrient deficiencies in Srikakulam district.
4.3.6 Infrastructure for soil testing
The infrastructure available for soil testing in Srikakulam district is described in table
12. There are three soil testing laboratories in the district. The one at Amadalavalasa
is in the government sector. It has Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS)
facility and has a capacity to analyze 16600 samples per year. The other two soil
testing labs at Palasa and Palakonda are with the agricultural market committees.
Each of them has a capacity to analyze 2400 samples per year. Thus, the total
capacity in the district for soil testing adds up to 21,400 samples per year. During
2006-07, it was reported that the full capacity was utilized.
4.3.7 Targets for soil testing in XI plan
The targets for testing of soil and water samples in Srikakulam district during
different years of XI plan are summarized in table 13. It is proposed to intensify soil
testing program during the XI plan period. During 2007-08, it is proposed to analyze
39
25772 soil and water samples. 16126 samples will be subjected for general soil
analysis. 506 samples will be analyzed for special soil analysis. 8910 samples will be
analyzed for micro nutrient status. 230 water samples will be analyzed for water
quality. These targets for harvesting are slightly fluctuating between years. In 2011-
12 the number of samples for analysis will reach 26046. While the number of soil
samples will be increased, the samples for micro nutrient analysis will fall slightly.
But the water samples to be analyzed will remain constant in all the five years
period. All the farmers from whose fields the samples will be drawn will be provided
with soil health cards.
4.3.8 Plan for reclamation of soilsThe plan for reclamation of soils during XI plan period is given in table 14. In
Srikakulam district, 46375 ha area is under saline / alkali soils. Out of this area,
16230 ha were already treated till 2006-07. The remaining 30145 ha is at to be
treated. During the XI plan period, it is proposed to treat 5452 ha through green
manuring and 910 ha by application of gypsum. The targets for green manuring will
start at 893 ha in 2007-08, which will reach 1307 ha in 2011-12. Similarly the target
for application of gypsum starts with 10 ha in 2007-08, and reaches 300 ha in 2011-
12. The total cost of supplying green manuring seed to 5452 ha is estimated at
Rs.56.11 lakh. Similarly, the cost of gypsum application in 910 ha is estimated at
Rs.10.56 lakh. Thus, the total cost for reclaiming 6362 ha during XI plan period adds
up to Rs.66.67 lakh.
4.4 Water Resource and Management4.4.1 Weather information
The particulars of weather in Srikakulam district are given in table 15 by ADA circle.
The average annual rainfall in the district is 1166 mm. The lowest rainfall is recorded
in Srikakulam, Ranashtalam and Rajam ADA circles. The highest rainfall is recorded
in Sompeta, Palasa and Kotturu ADA circles. Tekkali, Narasannapeta and
Palakonda ADA circles fall in the medium range of rainfall in the district. No
information was made available on number of rainy days or temperature or humidity.
40
4.4.2 Sources of irrigation
The area irrigated by different sources in 2006-07 is presented in table 16 by ADA
circle. Canals are the most important source of irrigation in Srikakulam district. They
have a share of 53.3% in the total irrigated area. Tanks occupy the next position with
a contribution of 36.1% to the total irrigated area. Open wells account for 4.4% of the
irrigated area, while tube / bore wells have a share of 5.3% in the total irrigated area.
Lift irrigation has a small share of 0.2% in the irrigated area, while other sources
have 0.7% share. Among the ADA circles Tekkali and Narasannapeta ADA circles
have the highest shares in the irrigated area of the district at 16% each. Rajam ADA
circle has 13% share, while Palakonda and Srikakulam have 11% share each. The
other four ADA circles have shares of less than 10% each.
4.4.3 Quality of irrigation water
The results of analysis of water samples from 2000-01 to 2006-07 are furnished in
table 17. Over the six years period, 2000-01 to 2006-07, 1293 water samples were
analyzed for quality. 85% of the samples fell in the safe range. Another 13% samples
lied in the moderately safe category. Only two per cent of the samples fell in the
moderately unsafe category. None of the samples lied in the unsafe category.
Hence, it can be concluded that there are no problems of irrigation water quality in
Srikakulam district.
4.5 Major crops and varieties in the district4.5.1 Cropping patterns
The cropping pattern of the district varies from one situation to another due to
different agro-climatic conditions. The major cropping patterns prevailing in the
district are detailed in table 18.
4.5.2 Major crops
The major crops grown in the district during kharif are:a) Riceb) Groundnutc) Bajrad) Sesamume) Mestaf) Sugarcaneg) Cotton
41
Major crops grown during rabi are a) Paddyb) Groundnutc) Sunflowerd) Sesamume) Green gramf) Black gramg) Horse gram
4.5.3 Areas under different crop categories
The areas under different crop categories are furnished in table 19. The field crops
dominate the area allocation with a share of 86.2 per cent. The horticulture crops
have 13% of the total area under them. Others have a 0.8 per cent share only in the
total area under crops. The details of area under field crops during kharif and rabi
seasons are furnished in table 20.
4.5.4 Areas, production and productivity
The area increase in rice mainly depends on the inflows of water in to the rivers and
timely rainfall received from monsoons. The maximum area under rice during 2006-
07 was 1.94 lakh ha, which is 41% higher than that recorded in the year 2002-03
(1.53 lakh ha). The area under maize and sunflower is increasing due to good returns
obtained from them under irrigated dry conditions. The trends in area sown,
Fig 7 Area Coverage under different crops (Ha.)
180392
1430035479
7300
1265
31577
39870
12541
1482
12423
12735
RiceSugarcaneGroundnutSesamumSunflowerGreengramBlackgramHorsegramRedgramMestaOther Agril. Crops
42
production and productivity of major crops between 2002-03 and 2006-07 are
summarized in table 21.
4.5.5 Contribution of irrigated and rain fed components to crop production
The area, production and yield of major crops from irrigated and rain fed areas in
Srikakulam district during kharif are furnished in table 23. In Srikakulam district,
irrigated area is allocated during kharif season only for rice and sugarcane. But even
these two crops are also cultivated under rain fed condition. All other crops like bajra,
maize, ragi, groundnut, sesamum and mesta are exclusively grown under rain fed
condition. While only 14.4% of the rice area is grown under rain fed condition, 58.3%
of sugarcane area is grown under rain fed condition. There is no response to
irrigation as the yields of both rice as well as sugarcane are reported to be the same
under irrigated and rain fed conditions.
The area, production and yield of major crops from irrigated and rain fed areas in
Srikakulam district during rabi are furnished in table 24. During the rabi season, only
green gram and black gram are grown under rain fed condition in rice fallows. All
other crops including rice, ragi, maize, groundnut, sesamum and sunflower are
grown under only irrigation. The rice yield is less in rabi season when compared to
that under kharif season. But the yield of maize and ragi are higher in rabi season
than in kharif season. In case of groundnut and sunflower also, rabi yields are higher
than those reported for kharif season. The yield of sesamum did not differ much
between the two seasons. Crops such as groundnut, sesame, mesta, jowar, bajra,
red gram and, to some extent, paddy and sugarcane are grown under rainfed
conditions. The crops grown during Kharif mainly depend on south-west monsoon
and the crops grown during rabi depend on north- east monsoon as well as on
residual moisture available in the soil. Nearly 0.617 lakh ha is under rain fed
agriculture out of the total cropped area of 2.93 lakh ha.
4.5.6 Trends and projections of crop areas during XI plan
The three year averages of area, production and productivity and their projections for
XI plan period are summarized in table 25. The average productivity of rice in the
three years period of 2004-05 to 2006-07 was 2218 kg per ha. It is expected that the
productivity as well as area under rice crop will increase during the XI plan period.
43
The production of rice is expected to increase by 21.67% over the five years period.
It is estimated that for the production of all the major crops will increase over the five
years period. Due to anticipated increases in area and productivity, the production of
all the major crops is expected to go up.
4.5.7 Productivity and production of major food crops
The productivity and production levels of major food crops in the district during kharif,
2006-07 are given in table 26.
The details of area, productivity and production of crops during rabi , 2006-07 are
furnished in table 27.
Fig 8 Area, Production of Important Kharif crops
0123456789
10
Ric
e
Mai
ze B
ajr
a Rag
i
Red
gram
Gro
und
nut S
ugar
cane M
est
a
Series1Series2
Fig 9 Area, Production - Important Rabi crops
0.000.050.100.150.200.250.300.350.400.45
Ric
e
Mai
ze
Bla
ckg
ram
Gre
eng
ram
Gro
und
nut Ses
am
um Sun
flow
er
Series1Series2
44
The total area, productivity and production of major crops in the district during 2006-
07 are furnished in table 28.
4.6 Input Management4.6.1 Seed management
The targets for seed requirement and the arrangements for its supply from different
sources are furnished in table 29. In case of paddy, the present seed replacement
rate is 71% and it is proposed to increase it to 76% during the XI plan period. To
achieve that, the seed requirement of paddy is estimated at 131954 quintals out of
that, 37450 quintals is expected to be supplied by the public sector agencies.
Another 23150 quintals will be met from village seed production program. The
private sector is expected to supply 39885 quintals. The remaining 31469 quintals
will have to be met by the farmers from their own seed. Incase of groundnut and
mesta, the present seed replacement rates are at 10% each. It is proposed to
increase it to 20% during XI plan period. The seed requirements are estimated at
43622 quintals of groundnut and 1822 quintals of mesta. Out of them, 8724 quintals
of groundnut seed and 365 quintals of mesta seed will be supplied by public sector
agencies and the remaining seed requirement will have to be met by the farmers
themselves from their production. Among the rabi crops the seed replacement rate of
paddy is presently estimated at 63% and it is proposed to increase it to 80% in XI
plan period. Similarly, the seed replacement rate in case of groundnut is proposed to
go up from 52% to 65%. In case of green gram and black gram, the SRR will go up
Fig 10 Annual Area, Production of important crops
0.001.002.003.004.005.006.007.008.009.00
10.00
Ric
e
Mai
ze R
agi
Bla
ckg
ram G
ree
ngra
m
Gro
und
nut S
unfl
ower
Sug
arca
ne Chi
llies
Series1Series2
45
from 25 to 35% in XI plan period. In case of paddy, the total seed requirement is
estimated at 1628 quintals. 50 quintals out of it will be produced from village seed
production program and 1302 quintals will be supplied by the public sector agencies.
In case of other three crops, public sector agency will meet about 75% of the seed
requirements while the private sector agencies are expected to meet the remaining
25% requirement.
4.6.1.1 Seed Plan for Srikakulam district
Seed is the basic input determining the productivity of the crop. Quality seed is being
supplied to the farmers through A.P.S.S.D.C. and licensed private dealers, besides
the seed produced from Seed Village Program. Seed is being distributed under
subsidy program, where ever necessary. The intention is to provide good quality
seed i.e. foundation seed, certified seed and, if necessary, truthfully labeled seed of
first generation certified seed to achieve 100% seed replacement rate. The
department is providing subsidy to foundation seed under seed village program with
an aim to supply good quality seed produced by the progressive and interested
farmers in their fields at village level and supplying them at reasonable rates among
the farming community. The present Seed Replacement Rate (SRR) and the plan
for enhancing it in the ensuing five years in case of different crops is summarized in
table 30.
4.6.1.2 Infrastructure for seed production
The infrastructure facilities available for seed production in Srikakulam district are
detailed in table 31. There is a state seed farm at Peddapeta in Burja mandal. It has
43.6 ha, out of which 33.6 ha area is cultivable. But only six ha area has irrigation
facilities. Three ha area is irrigated by tanks, while another three ha area is irrigated
by wells / bore wells. The farm has four ponds / tanks and three wells. It also has got
one seed processing plant and a temporary shed with 15 sq meters area.
4.6.1.3 Seed production targetsThe targets set for seed production on government farms during XI plan period are
furnished in table 32. The state seed farm at Peddapeta has produced 868.5 quintals
of paddy seed during 2006-07. It has also produced 28 quintals of black gram seed
and six quintals of sesame seed in that year. The targets for seed production during
46
XI plan period are considerably increased over the years. During 2007-08, it is
targeted to produce 1002.3 quintals of paddy seed, 35 quintals of black gram seed
and eight quintals of sesamum seed. These targets are progressively increased
during the XI plan period to finally reach 1350 quintals of paddy seed, 46 quintals of
black gram seed and 10.5 quintals of sesamum seed.
4.6.2 Fertilizer Management4.6.2.1 Fertilizer consumption per ha
The estimates of fertilizer use in different ADA circles of Srikakulam district are given
in table 33. The NPK requirements of different crops are not presented separately.
They are given by ADA circle for all the crops involved. The average rate of fertilizer
application is 88 kg N, 31 kg P and 16 kg K per ha in the district. The fertilizer
application per ha is highest in Tekkali ADA circle at 167 kg and it is lowest at 122 kg
in Kothuru and Ranasthalam ADA circles. The fertilizer use is slightly less in
Srikakulam district when compared to other districts where agricultural input use is
more intensive.
4.6.2.2 Fertilizer requirement
The projections of fertilizer requirement in different years of XI plan are detailed in
table 34 by ADA circle. The total fertilizer used during 2006-07 in Srikakulam district
is estimated at 80503 tons. It is projected to gradually increase from 81308 tons in
2007-08 to 84609 tons in 2011-12. Among the ADA circles, the highest fertilizer use
is recorded in Tekkali ADA circle, followed by Palasa, Narasannapeta and Rajam
ADA circles. The lowest use of fertilizer is noted in case of Sompeta ADA circle
followed by Kotthuru and Ranasthalam ADA circles.
The projections of fertilizer requirement in different years of XI plan are detailed in
table 35 by type of fertilizer. The fertilizer use in the district is expected to go up by
5.1% over the five years period. The requirement of all the fertilizers is expected to
increase by the same per cent during the five years period. As such urea has a
share of 57.2% in the total fertilizer use. DAP comes next with a 17.5% share in the
fertilizers. Total complex fertilizers account for 12.4% of the fertilizer use. MOP has a
share of only 9.6%. SSP has a share of 2.3% in the total fertilizer use. Ammonium
sulphate forms 0.8% of the total fertilizer consumption. The use of mixtures is
47
virtually nil in the district. These fertilizers will continue to have the same shares even
in 2011-12, because all fertilizers are expected to increase at the same rate of 5.1%
during the five years period.
4.7 Farm Mechanization4.7.1 Status of farm mechanization
The availability of farm implements and equipments in different ADA circles of
Srikakulam district is summarized in table 36. In Srikakulam district, there were 176,
262 farm implements and 25184 farm equipments. Tekkali ADA circle has the
highest number of farm implements followed by Palasa, Narasannapeta and Kothuru
ADA circles. The least number of farm implements were noted in Srikakulam ADA
circle, followed by Ranasthalam and Rajam ADA circles. Tekkali ADA circle also
leads in the number of farm equipment owned and it is followed by Narasannapeta
and Ranasthalam ADA circles. The lowest number of farm equipments was recorded
in Sompeta ADA circle followed by Kothuru and Palakonda ADA circles.
4.7.2 Projections for supply of farm implements / equipments
The projections for supply of farm equipments on subsidy during different years of XI
plan are furnished in table 37. During 2006-07, 871 farm implements were supplied
on subsidy to the farmers in Srikakulam district. The targets for supply of farm
implements start with 917 in 2007-08 at a cost of Rs.183.4 lakh and it goes up to
1069 in 2011-12 at a cost of Rs.213.8 lakh. It is proposed to supply the highest
number of farm implements in Tekkali ADA circle, followed by Sompeta and
Narasannapeta ADA circles. The least number of farm implements will be supplied in
Ranasthalam ADA circle, followed by Kothuru and Palakonda ADA circles.
4.7.3 Agro-service centres
The details of agro-service centres for supplying agricultural inputs in Srikakulam
district are given in table 38. There are 675 agro service centres in Srikakulam
district. All of them deal in seeds fertilizers in pesticides. The maximum number of
service centres is recorded in Srikakulam ADA circle and it is followed by
Narasannapeta and Ranasthalam ADA circles. The least number of service centres
is noted in Somepeta ADA circle, followed by Kothuru and Palasa ADA circles. The
48
branch of AGROS in the district supplies farm equipments and machinery to the
farmers in the entire district. No service centres deal with irrigation equipment in the
district. There is no agriculture consultancy agency or for providing diagnostic
services in the district.
4.8 Constraint Analysis4.8.1 Agro-climatic zone and farming situations
Srikakulam district falls in north coastal agro climatic zone and high altitude tribal
zone. Although from the climatic point of view the area in the zones is uniform, it
varies considerably from one place to another even within a village by virtue of
different soil types, irrigation sources etc and is finally divided into several farming
situations which are unique by themselves. Srikakulam district is divided into 13
farming situations and they are detailed in table 39. A given farming situation, being
unique in soil characteristics, mode of irrigation etc., the farming constraints and
potentials are uniform and unique in each situation and therefore, uniform
management strategies are specified to each farming situation.
Fig 11. Farming situation wise analysis
Farming Situations ( Area in Lakh Hects.) - Srikakulam District
0.4560.450
0.192
0.5820.0920.463
0.327
0.060
0.449
0.883
0.057
0.0040.003
FS1
FS2
FS3
FS4
FS5
FS6
FS7
FS8
FS9
FS 10
FS 11
FS 12
FS 13
4.8.2 Constraint analysis4.8.2.1 Analysis of productivity levels in different crops
4.8.2.1.1 Rice
Rice is grown in both kharif and rabi seasons. Area during kharif is 1.77 lakh ha,
which is higher than that in rabi (0.0288 lakh ha). Rice is grown in eleven farming
situations. The present productivity of rice in different situations ranged from 1.6 to
2.95 Mts / ha in Kharif and from2.5 to 3.35 tons/ha in rabi. The total production gap in
49
rice is 1.112 lakh tons. Out of it, 1.093 lakh tons is in kharif and 0.0195 lakh tons in
rabi.
4.8.2.1.2 OilseedsGroundnut
Groundnut is grown in both kharif and rabi seasons in four farming situations. The
yield gaps identified are 300 kg and 450 kg per ha in kharif and rabi respectively. The
total production gaps are 0.086 lakh tons in kharif and 0.031 lakh tons in rabi.
SesameSesame is grown in six farming situations, both in kharif and rabi seasons, in
Srikakulam. The yield gaps identified are 185 kg/ha and 134 kg./ha during kharif and
rabi respectively. The production gaps are 0.004 lakh Mts. and 0.007 lakh Mts.
during Kharif and rabi respectively.
Sunflower
The crop is grown in 4 situations during rabi only. The farmers have diverted areas to
sunflower crop from rabi groundnut and paddy under I.D. conditions due to
remunerative price of sunflower when compared with groundnut or paddy. The yield
gap is 310 kgs/ ha and the production gap is estimated at 0.0039 lakh Mts.
4.8.2.1.3 Pulses
Red gram
Redgram is grown in 1482 ha during kharif mostly in hill and tribal areas and to some
extent in plains. The crop is grown in 3 situations. The yield gap is 287 kg/ha and the
production gap is 0.0043 lakh tons.
Black gram
Black gram is grown in both kharif and rabi seasons. The crop is grown as a pure
crop in kharif in a small extent and, during rabi, as a rice fallow pulse in larger area.
The crop is grown in four situations. The yield gap in black gram is 250 kg/ha in kharif
and 300 kg/ha in rabi. The production gap is 0.0015 lakh tons in kharif and 0.1179
lakh tons in rabi respectively.
50
Green gram
Green gram is grown in both kharif and rabi seasons. The area during kharif season
as pure crop is increasing from season to season, due to encouraging price. During
rabi, the crop is grown as a rice fallow pulse in a larger extent. The crop is grown in
four situations. The productivity gap during kharif is 235 kg/ha, while the same was
250 kg per ha in rabi. The total production gap is estimated at 0.0032 lakh tons in
kharif and 0.0756 lakh tons in rabi.
4.8.2.2 Constraints responsible for low productivity 4.8.2.2.1 Rice
a) Monetary constraints
Zinc deficiency
Low Usage of P & K Fertilizers
Improper water management
Low organic matter content in soils (non adoption of green manure)
Pest and disease incidence (Due to high humidity)
Abiotic stresses (Cyclones and droughts)
b) Non- monetary constraints
Low plant population
Improper nursery management & over aged seed lings
Mono-cropping over years
4.8.2.2.2 OilseedsGroundnut
a) Monetary constraints
No seed treatment Basal dose of P fertilizer is not adopted No adequate PP measures for leaf spot, leaf webber and Spodoptera Non application of gypsum
b) Non monetary constraints
Low plant population and excessive vegetative growth Improper water management ( timely irrigation )Sesamum
51
Raising of local varieties No fertilizer application No irrigation No PP measures
Sunflower
Raising of local seeds and F2 Hybrids Low productivity Poor seed setting
4.8.2.2.3 Pulses (Green gram and Black gram)
a) Monetary constraints
Non availability of adequate quantity of HYV seeds. No seed treatment Crop suffers due to terminal drought in the months of October and November
(Peak flowering stage). Soils are light, with low moisture holding capacity and low fertility status. No P fertilizers applied in rice fallow pulses Inadequate PP measures for control of maruca, powdery mildew and
coronospora
The major technological and agronomic gaps are:
Poor soil health - Improve soil health with Green manuring and gypsum application
Nutrient deficiencies - Correction of micronutrient deficiency with zinc sulphate application
Inadequate plant protection measures – Advocating plant protection measures for major pests and diseases in all crops
Less degree of mechanization – Encourage mechanized implements
Inadequate extension services - Strengthening with Adarsha Rythus and Extension personnel
4.8.3 Yield Gap Analysis
The yields of major crops by ADA circle and their comparisons with state average
and frontline demonstrations are given in table 41. The yield of rice in Sompeta,
Palasa, Tekkali and Kothuru ADA circles were higher than those reported for district
or state. In case of Srikakulam ADA circle, the yield was higher than the district
52
average but was lower than the state average. In case of other ADA circles, the rice
yields in the ADA circle are lower than the district or state average. In case of
groundnut also, the yields in Tekkali, narasannapeta, Ranasthalam and Rajam, the
yields were lower than district average yield. The yield in Srikakulam ADA circle was
lower than the average yield of groundnut in the district. The groundnut yields in all
the ADA circles are much higher than the average yield of groundnut in the state. No
data are reported for frontline demonstrations. But it was reported that there are yield
gaps in all mandals both in case of rice and groundnut when compared with the
respective yields obtained in the front line demonstrations. The reasons for yield gap
are also recorded in case of all the ADA circles.
4.8.4 Occurrence and damages due to natural calamities
The information on frequency of occurrence and damages resulting from them is
given in table 42. Out of the 38 mandals, 30 mandals experienced drought some
time or the other. Most of these mandals suffered drought in 2002. But only a few
mandals experienced drought in 2004. 19 mandals reported moderate level of
drought while the remaining 11 mandals experienced severe drought in 2002. When
compare to drought floods were experienced by 27 mandals, but all of them
experienced severe floods. The floods occurred in 2006-07. Heavy rains occurred in
1998 and 2005. All the mandals in the district suffered losses due to heavy rains,
some time or the other. Heavy rains also caused severe damages when ever they
occurred. Thus, Srikakulam district mainly suffers from heavy rains and floods and it
has experienced drought rather rarely. Other calamities like earth quakes and pests
and diseases were not noted during the last ten years. While the data on the
occurrence of calamities are recorded by mandal, there is no information given on
percentage area affected, live stock mortality and per cent of families affected due to
the natural calamities.
4.8.5 Marketing / storage / processing gaps4.8.5.1 Marketing / storage facilities
The status related to storage and marketing in Srikakulam district is presented in
table 43. There are 20 rural godowns in Srikakulam district. 12 of them are located at
the district head quarter with a total storage capacity of 380 tons. Ranasthalam and
Rajam ADA circles have four godowns each with a storage capacity of 80 tons in
53
each case. There is only one cold storage in Srikakulam with a total capacity to store
80 tons of produce. There are 12 main agricultural markets in the district. Sompeta
ADA circle has three of them, while the district head quarter, Srikakulam, has two of
them. In all other seven ADA circles, there is one main market each. There are three
sub markets in the district and one each of them is located in Srikakulam,
Ranasthalam and Palakonda ADA circles.
4.8.5.2 Status and projections for farm level storage
The status and proposals for storage of agriculture produce at the farm level are
given in table 44.There are no existing facilities of onion storage structures or zero
energy chambers in Srikakulam district. It is proposed to build to onion storage
structures during 2008-09 with a capacity of 750 tons at a total cost of Rs.75 lakh. In
the next three years also, it is proposed to establish two onion storage structures of a
total capacity of 750 tons at a cost of Rs.75 lakh per year. Thus, during the XI plan
period, it is proposed to establish 8 onion storage structures with a total capacity of
3000 tons and at a total investment of Rs.300 lakh.
4.8.5.3 Marketing infrastructure / facilities
The infrastructure available for marketing and the proposals for expansion of market
facilities during XI plan are summarized in table 45. There is only one cold storage
existing up to 2006-07 in the district. It is proposed to build five cold storages in
2008-09 with a total capacity of 500 tons. In the next three years, 2009-10 to 2011-
12, it is proposed to establish two cold storage units every year at a cost of Rs.200
lakh. Thus, it is proposed to establish 11 cold storage units during XI plan period at a
cost of Rs.1100 lakh.
4.8.5.4 Agro processing facilities and projections
The agro processing facilities available in the district and their projections for XI plan
are furnished in table 46. There is one sugar industry at R-Amadalavalasa with a
crushing capacity of 2500 tons per annum. There are two silk processing units, one
each at Seethampeta and Srikakulam. There is only one milk processing unit at
Srikakulam. There are eight jute processing units in the district with a total capacity
of 120 tons per day. There is also a pesticide unit with a capacity of 30 kilo leters per
54
day. There are no proposals to establish any of the processing units during XI plan
period.
4.8.6 Existing organizational structure
The details of Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) in Srikakulam
district are given in table 47. The governing body of Agricultural Technology
Management Agency (ATMA) has 10 official and 12 non official members in it. There
are 16 block level technical teams and 16 farmer advisory councils in the district. So
far, 20 farmer interest groups are organized in the district. There is also one FIAC in
the district. Five departments are collaborating in implementing the activities of
ATMA. The ATMA activities are carried out by one Project Director and one Deputy
Projector Director.
The targets and achievements with respect to various activities under ATMA are
furnished in table 48. It was proposed to organize 54 training programs to farmers
and all of the targeted programs were organized. Similarly, seven training programs
were proposed for the staff of the departments and all of them were organized. In the
same way, all the 325 demonstrations targeted were achieved and all the seven
farmers tours proposed were conducted. Both the exhibitions proposed were held.
Similarly, all the fifteen individual self employment activities were conducted. In the
same way, the targets for group based employment generation activities, publicity as
well as group formation were all achieved.
The proposals for strengthening agricultural diversification activities in Srikakulam
district are summarized in table 49. The total area under all types of farming systems
in the district is estimated at 2.91 lakh ha. It is proposed to bring 14,526.35 ha under
integrated farming systems with components of agriculture, horticulture and animal
husbandry. The total area under key crops which will be brought under integrated
systems is 2.21 lakh ha. It is proposed to bring 2250 ha under crop diversification
during the XI plan period. The maximum area to be brought under crop
diversification is under Narasannapeta ADA circle, followed by Ranasthalam ADA
circle. The least area proposed under crop diversification is in Kothuru ADA circle
followed by Palakonda ADA circle.
4.8.6.1 Group organizations
55
The organizations of farmers which are active in the district are detailed in table 50.
There are 9042 Rythu Mitra Groups (RMGs) in Srikakulam district with a total
membership of 108, 504. Ranastalam ADA circle has the highest number of RMGs,
followed by Srikakulam and Tekkali ADA circles. There are no Krishi Vigyan Mandals
or Commodity Groups in Srikakulam district. There are 27969 Self Help Group
(SHGs) with a total membership of 363597. The average number of members in
RMG is 12, while it is 13 in case of Self Help Groups (SHGs).
4.9 Interventions proposed4.9.1 Reclamation of problematic soils and nutrition for groundnut
4.9.1.1 Problematic soils
One of the major causes for low productivity is soil salinity/ alkalinity in the district. To
improve the soil structure and texture, application of soil amendment is considered as
one of the alternatives. The major soil amendment proposed is gypsum.
4.9.1.2 Supply of gypsum to groundnutCalcium and sulphur are the two nutrients which can increase the yields of oilseeds,
especially groundnut. In order to supply the said nutrients at less cost, application of
gypsum is essential. In Srikakulam district, it is proposed to supply 9805 MTs Of
gypsum with an outlay of Rs.99.55 lakh for reclamation of problematic soils and for
groundnut crop (table 51). The detailed project analysis is presented in annexure
table A.1 and A.2.
4.9.2 Improvement of soil health 4.9.2.1 Scaling up of green manure seed supplyIn Srikakulam district, the soils are light and medium sandy loams. Due to non-
availability of sufficient quantities of organic materials, farmers are not able to provide
required quantities of organic matter to the soil and they are mainly using chemical
fertilizers, which is resulting in deterioration of soil health in the district. Soil health
can be improved by adopting green manuring, which builds up soil fertility and
thereby increases the productivity, besides reducing the cost of cultivation. The
farmers are habituated to use green manure seed since 2002-2003 in the district.
Good impact is seen on the soils. The area under green manure crops is increasing
56
year by year, resulting in the decreased use of chemical fertilizers to some extent.
The details of distribution of green manure seeds in the district are given in table 52.
The detailed project analysis is presented in annexure table A.3.
Fig 12Consumption of Nitrate Fertilizers - In Srikakulam District (Qty. in MTs.)
3110728969
24507 25580 26818 25116
0
500010000
1500020000
2500030000
35000
2001-2002
2002-2003
2003-2004
2004-2005
2005-2006
2006-2007
Series1
Fig 13 Consumption of Phosphorous Fertilizers - Srikakulam District (Qty. in MTs.)
8295 7627
109669375 8920 8874
0
2000
4000
6000
8000
10000
12000
2001-2002
2002-2003
2003-2004
2004-2005
2005-2006
2006-2007
Series1
57
In the district, agricultural department is already distributing a quantity of 1015 qtls of
green manure seed by incurring an expenditure of Rs. 10.15 lakhs per year, so as to
enrich the soil in an extent of 3383 ha. In order to improve the soil health, it is
proposed to supply 9925 qtls of various green manure seeds to the farmers on 50%
subsidy with a financial out lay of Rs. 198.50 lakh over five years period (table 53).
The state level sanction committee of RKVY has allotted Rs.800 lakh for the supply
of green manure crop seeds to the farmers on subsidy to cover an area of 100000
hectares during XI plan period in Srikakulam district.
4.9.3 Correction of nutrient deficiencies
In Srikakulam district, Zinc deficiency is a common problem resulting in reduction of
productivity of rice and groundnut. In order to correct the deficiency, the department
is supplying 25 M.Ts of zinc sulphate to the rice farmers on 50% subsidy by incurring
an amount of Rs. 3.6 lakh per year to subsidize its application in 500 ha. In order to
correct the zinc deficiency, it is proposed to cover an area of 57300 ha with an outlay
of Rs.432 lakh over the five years period with which 2865 Mts. of Zinc will be supplied
on 50% subsidy. The detailed project analysis is presented in annexure table A.4.
4.9.4 Seed Management / Revolving Fund to MAOs
Seed Village Program is prestigious program of government to supply quality seed to
the farmers. Government is supplying foundation seed on 50% subsidy and is
encouraging production of certified seed at village level and facilitating its distribution
among the farming community from farmer to farmer. It requires some amount as
revolving fund at mandal level to purchase gunny bags, labels, seed processing,
Fig 14 Consumption of Potassic Fertilizers in Srikakulam District (Qty. MTs.)
8295 7627
109669375 8920 8874
0
2000
4000
6000
8000
10000
12000
2001-2002
2002-2003
2003-2004
2004-2005
2005-2006
2006-2007
Series1
58
certification and storage. During 2006-07, a quantity of 13600 qtls of certified seed
was distributed among farmers under Seed Village Program to meet the target of
100% seed replacement rate. The requirement of revolving fund for the 37 MAOs is
Rs.111 lakh for the five years period at the rate of Rs. three lakh per MAO. The state
level sanction committee of RKVY has allotted Rs.29232 lakh to state department of
agriculture for seed management activities in the state. Srikakulam district can
expect to get about three to four per cent of these funds for seed management
activities in the district. The requirement of revolving fund can be met from these
funds.
4.9.5 Farmers Field Schools (FFS)
Health hazards due to chemical pesticides, deaths due to pesticide poisoning,
development of incurable diseases like cancer and neurological disorders, presence
of pesticide residues in mother’s milk, cases of suicides by farmers due to the failure
of chemical pesticides to control pests, resurgence of pests, outbreak of secondary
pests etc., are the problems resulting from the indiscriminate use of pesticides.
Keeping the above problems in view, Farmers’ Field Schools are being organized to
reduce the cost of cultivation, increase the productivity and reduce the pesticide
usage by adopting eco-friendly measures (bio agents and bio pesticides) to control
crop pests and also to create awareness among the farmers about the ill effects of
pesticides and to improve the quality of produce, resulting in high market price and
good returns. They will also empower the farmers to take up judicious decisions by
adopting the practices of Integrated Crop Management.
The four principals of farmers’ field school are:
1) Growing healthy crop
2) Conserving natural enemies
3) Conduct of regular field observations
4) Making farmers Integrated crop management experts
The Farmers’ Field School (Bio Village) is being organized during the last five years.
Due to the organization of Farmers’ Field Schools, the pesticide consumption in the
district is decreasing significantly year after year, leading to the production of good
59
quality produce. The data on Pesticide consumption in the district during the last
five years is given in table 54.
It is proposed to organize 900 Farmers’ Field schools in Paddy, Groundnut and
pulses, with an outlay of Rs.225.63 lakh over the five years.
The farmers’ field schools proposed during XI plan period is detailed in table 55.
There are 76 trained personnel in the district for conducting farmer field schools. In
the last five years, a total of 542 FFS were conducted in an equal number of villages
in a total area of 5780 ha. The average yield obtained in case of FFS was 26.4%
higher than the yield levels recorded in non-FFS plots. The targets for FFS are set
for conducting 225 FFS in 2007-08. This target is gradually increased to reach 301
FFS in 2011-12. Most of the FFS will be organized in case of paddy and groundnut.
A few FFS are plan in case of sunflower, pulses and maize.
4.9.6 Intensifying mechanization 4.9.6.1 Custom hiring centres
Under the scheme, the common equipments needed by the farmers are identified as
Paddy thresher, Sugarcane planter, Power tiller etc in irrigated areas and row crop
cultivator, Rotavator, Aeroblast sprayer, Multicrop thresher etc for rainfed areas. It is
proposed to establish 24 custom hiring centers to make all these needy implements
available to farmers by extending an incentive of 25% subsidy on the unit cost of
implements to the entrepreneurs with a total out lay of Rs. 300 lakh. This scheme
would cost a total subsidy of Rs.300 lakh @ Rs.12.50 lakh per centre. The state level
Fig 15 Pesticides Consumption from 2001-2007 (Qty. in Technical Grade in MTs.)
10.9869.446 8.691 8.092 7.719 7.342
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
2001-2002
2002-2003
2003-2004
2004-2005
2005-2006
2006-2007
Series1
60
sanction committee of RKVY has allotted Rs.225 lakh for establishing 18 custom
hiring centres in Srikakulam district during XI plan period.
4.9.6.2 Farm implementsAt present agriculture labor is a major constraint in the district due to migration of
labor to urban areas. High remuneration and low efficiency of labor are the two major
contributing factors for the increasing cost of cultivation, resulting in low returns to the
farmers. Moreover, farmers are unable to take up agricultural operations like
weeding, fertilizer application, plant protection measures, pre and post harvest
operations etc,.on time. It is programmed to supply 10330 levelling blades, MB
Ploughs, full Cage wheels, disc Puddlers, 9 and 11 tyne cultivators, half cage wheels,
high tech Knapsack, Power sprayers, Taiwan sprayers and Power tillers in the district
with an outlay of Rs. 250.05 lakh over the ensuing 5 years.The details of farm
machinery and implements proposed for supply during the XI plan period are given in
table 56. The state level sanction committee of RKVY has allotted Rs.344.86 lakh to
Srikakulam district for the supply of 8020 farm implements on subsidy during XI plan.
4.9.7 Extension
Crop yields mainly depend on the adoption of latest technologies evolved by the
scientists. In the WTO scenario, the latest technology transfer is essential for quality
production. Extension acts as a tool to bridge the technology gaps. The Commission
appointed to look into the agriculture has highlighted the same constraint.
4.9.7.1 Graduate A.Os and Technology and Service Facilitators
To meet the aspirations and growing demand of the farmers, the department is
unable to provide required personnel to transfer the technology. In order to overcome
this deficiency, it is proposed to appoint 32 graduate agricultural officers at the rate of
one per every 5000 ha and 60 Technology and Service Facilitators (AEO) at the rate
of one per 2500 ha in the district. Besides this, all necessary arrangements are being
made for selection and appointment of Adarsha Rythus (Model Farmers-CIG leaders)
from every village for every 200-250 farm holdings from each village by providing an
honorarium of Rs. 1000/- per month, after duly imparting required training on all
61
agricultural and allied subjects. They will act as co-ordinators between govt. depts.
and farmers.
4.9.7.2 Strengthening of Farmers Organizations
Rythu Mitra Groups, Farmers clubs etc., are to be involved for effective dissemination
of technology and strengthened. Hence, it is proposed to cover 17520 farmers with
an outlay of Rs.58.17 lakh.
4.9.7.3 Support to Public and Private Partnerships
The voluntary organizations and other private agencies who are actively involved in
agriculture sector for imparting training and disseminating crop technologies are to be
involved by providing financial support to those organizations to cover more farmers.
It is proposed to spend Rs.110 lakh over the next five years.
4.9.7.4 Mobility, training and other contingencies
It is proposed to spend Rs.110 lakh over five years towards mobility, training and for
other contingencies. The financial requirements of all proposals in extension are
summarized in table 58. The state level sanction committee of RKVY has allotted
Rs.466.97 lakh for appointing 31 agricultural graduates and 61 technology and
service facilitators in the district during XI plan period. Besides them, 1051model
farmers will be supported during XI plan period at a cost of Rs.514.99 lakh. The state
level sanction committee of RKVY has allotted Rs.1000 lakh to the state department
of agriculture for strengthening farmers’ organzations in the state and another
Rs.1000 lakh for supporting public and private sector partnerships in the state. It has
also allotted to the state department of agriculture Rs.9047 lakh for mobility, training
and other contingencies. Srikakulam district can expect to get three to four per cent of
all these allocations for strengthening farmers’ organizations, supporting public and
private sector partnerships and for providing mobility, training and other
contingencies in Srikakulam district.
4.9.8 Regulatory infrastructure
With the objective of strengthening the regulatory infra structure in the district, it is
proposed to allot Rs 53.82 lakh to the district over a period of 5 years. The district is
62
provided with one Soil Testing Laboratory at Amadalavalasa. Proposals are made to
provide necessary facilities for establishing Single Window Diagnostic Lab in the
existing Soil Testing Laboratory, where the analysis of both fertilizer and seed
samples are analyzed. Necessary efforts are being made for strengthening the above
single window diagnostic lab in the district.
4.9.9 Conjunctive use
In Vamsadhara, Nagavali, Thotapalli and other canal systems, water is not reaching
tail end areas in time due to insufficient flow and non-maintenance of canals. As a
result, farmers are unable to raise the crops on time and give irrigations at critical
stages of the crop, resulting in low yields. To overcome this problem and to increase
the efficiency of water use, it is necessary to practice the conjunctive use of ground
water with canal water. It is proposed to establish 13000 bore wells in command
areas over the five years period out of 14131 feasible wells. 50% subsidy will be
provided at a unit cost of Rs. 30,000 per well and the total outlay required is
estimated at Rs. Rs. 3900 lakh (table 59).
4.9.10 Micro-irrigation
Micro irrigation is one of the most important tools in modern agriculture for efficient
use of water resources to bring more area of pulses and oilseeds under assured
conditions. It is proposed to supply 400 sprinkler units per year and over five years,
2000 sprinkler units are proposed to be supplied at a subsidy cost of Rs. 160 lakh
(table 60). The detailed project analysis is presented in annexure table A.5.
4.9.11 Training
The proposals for training farmers during XI plan period by the agricultural
department are summarized in table 61.The agricultural department proposes to
train 9805 farmers in 2007-08 at a cost of Rs.9.80 lakh. This target for training is
gradually increased to reach 14245 farmers at a cost of Rs.14.25 lakh in 2011-12.
Over the five years period, it is plan to train 59570 farmers at a total cost of Rs.59.57
lakh. The training programs will be organized at Farmers Training Centre,
Srikakulam, Krishi Vignan Kendra, Amadalavalasa and DATT centre at
Amadalavalasa. The maximum number of 8050 farmers will be trained from Tekkali
63
ADA circle. The targets for all other ADA circles are fixed at 6440 farmers per ADA
circle. The topics for training include INM, IPM, post harvest technology, SRI
cultivation, organic farming, Polam Badi, seed village program, WTO implications on
agriculture and farm mechanization.
The proposals for training the staff of agricultural department during XI plan period
are given in table 62. The agricultural department has targets to train its own staff
during XI plan period. The target starts from 130 staff in 2007-08 and gradually goes
up to 150 staff in 2011-12. It is proposed to build one training hall each at Farmers
Training Centre (FTC), Srikakulam and KVK, Amadalavalasa. It is also proposed to
add some training equipments at these institutions. A non-recurring investment of
Rs.3 lakh is proposed for strengthening the training infrastructure in the district. The
faculty working at FTC, KVK and DATT centre and Scientists at research stations
are sufficient to conduct training to the departmental staff.
The facilities available in agro polyclinics by mandal are detailed in table 63. There
are no agro-poly clinics in the district so far in any of the mandals in the district. But
all the mandals have facilities for training farmers and to conduct demonstrations on
the farmers’ fields. In the same way, there are facilities for the analysis of soil and
water and to diagnose pests and diseases. There are also facilities for of producing
vermin compost. But none of the mandals have facilities of green houses, dormitory
facilities or library facilities. There are no crop museums or implement museums in
any of the mandals. Nine out of 34 mandals have facilities of computer with modem.
In each mandal, 100 to 250 farmers are benefited every year as they get trained by
the departmental staff. There are no receipts for agriculture department in any of the
38 mandals in the district.
The proposals to establish new agro polyclinics along with the funding requirements
are given in table 64. It is proposed to establish nine agro-poly clinics in the district
during XI plan period. One agro polyclinic will be established in each of the
agricultural divisions. All the nine proposed new agro polyclinics will be established
in the government sector. It is proposed to provide Rs.5.00 lakh for each of the agro
polyclinics. By establishing the agro polyclinics, it is expected to build a capacity to
train 2500 farmers every year in each of the agricultural divisions. The investment
64
proposed is for building cost and for providing the necessary training equipment. The
total cost of establishing agro-polyclinics in the district is estimated at Rs.45 lakh.
Once these agro polyclinics are established, it will generate a capacity to train 22500
farmers additionally every year at the agricultural division level.
4.9.12 Organic farmingThe plants for bringing additional areas under organic farming during XI plan are
given in table 65 by mandal. At present, there is only 420 ha area under organic
farming in 2006-07. It is estimated that 60 ha each is under organic farming in the
mandals of Gara, Amadalavalasa, G.Sigsdam, Kanchili, kaviti, Sompeta and Kottur.
It is proposed to increase the area under organic farming in each of these mandals
by 30 ha every year during the XI plan. Thus, a total area of 1050 ha will be
additionally brought under organic farming during the XI plan period.
The proposals for strengthening various components of organic farming in
Srikakulam district are furnished in table 66. It is proposed to establish 225 vermin
compost units during XI plan period in Srikakulam district at the rate of 25 per
mandal. Besides the seven mandals where it was proposed to increase the area
under organic farming, Srikakulam and R.Amadalavalasa mandals have also joined
the list for producing vermin compost. In each of these nine mandals, it is proposed
to have five bio-dynamic composts units during the XI plan period. It is also proposed
to organize bio-pesticide production units in Srikakulam and R.Amadalavalsa
mandals. It is also proposed to establish 12 botanical pesticide production units in
the district during XI plan period. It is proposed to establish two organic seed
production units, one each at Amadalavalasa and Kanchili mandals. A total of 90
organic farming groups will be formed at the rate of 10 per each mandal. All these 90
organic farming groups will go for organic certification. ATMA will act as a service
provider for organic farming activities in the district. The total amount required for
implementing all the components of organic farming in the district during XI plan
period is estimated at Rs.24 lakh.
4.9.13 DemonstrationsThe details of IPM demonstrations planned for XI plan period are given in table 67. It
is estimated that only 1000 ha under paddy out of 1.79 lakh ha area and 850 ha area
65
under groundnut out of 0.35 lakh ha area are presently protected through IPM. In
2006-07, 38 demonstrations were organized on IPM in paddy and 10 demonstrations
were organized on IPM in groundnut. Each of the demonstration covered 10 ha area.
The targets for 2007-08 for IPM demonstrations are kept at same level as they were
in 2006-07. But, the targets for 2008-09 are increase to 45 demonstrations on IPM in
paddy and 14 demonstrations on IPM in groundnut. These targets are gradually
scaled up to reach 60 IPM demonstrations in paddy and 25 IPM demonstrations in
groundnut during 2011-12. The average cost of conducting an IPM demonstration is
estimated at Rs.15000.
The details of INM demonstrations planned for XI plan period are given in table 68.
In case of INM, only 650 ha under paddy and 200 ha under groundnut were brought
under INM practices. No demonstrations were organized on INM in 2006-07, nor
they are targeted for 2007-08. But in 2008-09, it is proposed to organize 38 INM
demonstrations in paddy and 10 INM demonstrations in groundnut. The targets are
scaled up gradually to reach 50 demonstrations on paddy and 16 demonstrations on
groundnut in 2011-12. Just as in case of IPM, the cost of demonstration is estimated
at Rs.15000 per demonstration. It implies that the cost of demonstration will be
Rs.1500 per ha.
The details of varietal demonstrations planned for XI plan period are given in table
69. During 2006-07, 725 varietal demonstrations were conducted in a total area of 90
ha. The highest number of 225 demonstrations was conducted in case of paddy
followed by 200 each in case of groundnut and sesamum. 50 demonstrations each
were conducted in case of green gram and black gram. It is targeted to organize 766
varietal demonstrations in 2007-08 at a cost of Rs.1.71 lakh. The target for varietal
demonstrations is progressively increased to reach 1225 in 2011-12 at a cost of
Rs.2.6 lakh.
The production tools proposed for improving crop production in different crops are
summarized in table 70. In case of paddy, the production tools used for improving
yields are green manure application, supply of zinc sulphate and reclamation of
problematic soils. It is proposed to cover every year in XI plan period in 2000 ha
under green manuring, 1200 ha under zinc sulphate application and 200 ha for
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reclamation of problematic soils. In case of groundnut, two production tools are
proposed in 1000 ha each per year. These two tools are application of gypsum and
supply of single super phosphate. In case of pulses, only one production tool i.e.
green manuring will be used in 500 ha per year during XI plan period. All these
production tools are expected to increase the yields of paddy, groundnut and pulses
substantially.
4.9.14 Crop diversification
The proposals for substituting less profitable crops with more profitable ones during
XI plan period are detailed in table 71. It is proposed to reduce the area under rain
fed paddy during the kharif season and replace seed with maize and pulses. During
the XI plan period, it is proposed to increase area under maize by 900 ha, while the
target for increase in the area under pulses is set at 2000 ha over the five years
period. During the rabi season also, the area under paddy under well / bore well
irrigation will be reduced and the area under irrigated dry crops like maize, sunflower
and groundnut will be increased. It is proposed to increase area under sunflower by
750 ha and the areas under maize and groundnut by 500 ha each. The detailed
project analysis is presented in annexure table A.6.
4.9.15 Sugarcane Renewed Intensification (SRI)
Sugarcane is one of the major crops after paddy, groundnut and mesta and it is
grown in Srikakulam district in an area of nearly 12000 ha in eight situations, both
under irrigated and rainfed conditions. With an objective of obtaining better yields
and for judicious use of irrigation water, it is planned to adopt Sugarcane Renewed
Intensification system in 5000 ha over a period of 5 years, with a financial outlay of
Rs 250.00 lakh (table 72). SRI is method of planting Sugarcane in which one month
old sugarcane sets will be planted for better water management and for obtaining
optimum yields at less cost. For this purpose, the department is providing a subsidy
of Rs 5000/- per ha.
4.10 Investments
The investments required for implementing the interventions in agricultural sector are
summarized in table 73. The total investment required additionally for implementing
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the interventions in agricultural sector is estimated at Rs.8073 lakh. Nearly one half of
these investments are proposed for conjunctive use i.e. for supporting digging of bore
wells in the tail end areas of irrigation projects. Other big investments are for
strengthening extension services and for intensifying farm mechanization. Improving
soil health also required substantial investments. Other schemes required relatively
less investments.
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Chapter-VAllied Agricultural Sectors
5.1 Introduction
Although agriculture still remains to be the most important sector, the area is
gradually getting diversified in to other allied enterprises. Horticulture has already
occupied 52604 ha and it is still expanding (table 74). Social forestry has made rapid
strides and is covering 19370 ha. Aquaculture is booming and it has occupied 10357
ha. Sericulture has just made a beginning and is covering only 71 ha. Other
enterprises are occupying a small area of 165 ha. Thus, a total of 82567 ha are under
allied agricultural enterprises. All these sectors are poised for a rapid growth in the
coming five years because there is no dearth of demand for the products of these
sectors.
5.2 Horticulture Development 5.2.1 Status of horticulture
Horticulture is one of the thrust areas in the overall development of Srikakulam
district. It is aimed at achieving a sustainable development of horticulture by
increasing the area and productivity, and encouraging post harvest management in
horticulture sector. The major horticulture crops under cultivation in the district are
mango, cashew, coconut, vegetables, chilly and onions with major thrust on cashew
and coconut. Further, banana crop is grown in assured irrigation conditions in an
extent of 1750 ha, mainly in Srikakulam, Gara, Narasannapeta, Polaki, Jalumuru,
Ranasthalam and Laveru mandals. The area under horticulture crops in coastal belt
along the Bay of Bengal represents 16% of the total cropped area in the district.
The areas under major horticultural crops in the district are furnished in table 75. The
horticulture crops are especially grown in Ichapuram, Kaviti, Kanchili, Sompeta,
Palasa and V.Kothuru mandals. This area has the maximum area under coconut and
cahsew orchards and is popularly known as Uddanam (Udyanavanam).
Further.coconut exports from this area occupy the next place only to those from East
and West Godavari districts in the state.
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5.2.2 Farming situations and horticultural crops
The details of area under horticulture crops in the district are presented in table 76
by farming situation.
5.2.3 Contribution of irrigated and rain fed areas to horticultural production
The contribution of irrigated and rain fed crops to horticultural production in the
district are given in table 77. Among the major horticultural crops, only banana
receives irrigation in a substantial part of the area under it. 73% of banana area is
under irrigation. 81% of the vegetable area is grown under rain fed condition. There
is virtually no difference in the yields of vegetables under irrigation or under rain fed
condition. Cashew, mango and coconut are all grown under rain fed condition. There
is response to irrigation only in case of banana. Banana yields under irrigation are
about 2.2 tons higher per ha than that under rain fed condition.
5.2.4 Infrastructural facilities / farmers support systems available in the district5.2.4.1 Credit In Srikakulam district, 70% people are depending upon agriculture and allied sectors
like horticulture, animal husbandry, social forestry etc., Credit is the key input for
development. There are 153 branches of commercial and rural banks and 13 DCCB
branches supported by primary agricultural cooperative societies to cater to the
credit needs of the farmers. An amount of 16.66 crore has been earmarked for
plantation and horticulture crops for the year, 2006-07 under institutional credit
provided by various banks in the district.
5.2.4.2 Soil Testing LabsOne Soil Testing lab is available in the district at Amadalavalasa to cater to the
needs of the farmers.
5.2.4.3 Krishi Vigyan KendramA Krishi Vigyan Kendram is situated at Amadalavalasa. The KVK is providing
technical knowledge and training to the farmers on various horticulture crops.
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5.2.4.4 Voluntary organizations
The ARTIC, MAVISA, HELPING HANDS are the major voluntary organizations
functioning in the district with an objective to uplift the status of the small and
marginal horticulture farmers.
5.2.4.5 Crop specific associations
Crop specific associations are also being formed to impart training to these groups in
various aspects of crop management and marketing and to take up important
operations like plant protection on a community basis for effective control of pests
(Eriophid mite on Coconut) and diseases by providing them with farm machinery and
other equipment.
5.2.4.6 Agriculture Research Support
1. DAATTC Amadalavalasa 2. A.R.S. (Rice) Ragolu3. A.R.S. (Mesta) Amadalavalasa4. K.V.K. Amadalavalasa5. Agriculture College, Naira6. A.R.S., (Tribal area), Seethampeta
5.2.4.7 Rythus Bazars
Two rythu bazars are located in the district. Information on them is furnished in table 78.
5.2.4.8 Processing Units
There are 5 big cashew processing units and 26 small units existing in the district
and they are located at Palasa and V.Kothuru surroundings, with a capacity 500 Mts.
per annum. Cashew is being exported to other countries also. There is a need to
establish mango and coconut processing units. There is one coconut coir industry
and coconut nursery available at Baruva.
5.2.4.9 Cold storage units
There is one cold storage unit available at Srikakulam and there is a need to
establish more cold chains to avoid the post harvest losses in fruits and vegetables
at Palasa, Rajam, Palakonda and Srikakulam.
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5.2.4.10 Convergence with other departments
The National Horticulture Mission programs are converging with the following
Departments. District S.C.S.C. Society: The Scheduled Caste component of the
Mission Schemes is being implemented together with S.C. Society. Tribal Welfare
Department: The S.T. component of the Mission Schemes are converging with
Project Director, ITDA, Seethampeta.
D.W.M.A:- In the district, under C.L.D.P, wherever the blocks are having water
potential, horticulture programs are planned for implementation under State
Horticulture Mission.
5.2.5 Area, production and productivity of horticultural crops
The details of area, production and productivity of horticulture crops in Srikakulam
district are given in table 79.
5.2.6 Interventions proposed in horticulture sector5.2.6.1 Supply of hybrid vegetable seeds
In Srikakulam district, vegetable growing farmers are mainly using local varieties of
vegetables and are not adopting package of practices recommended. Hence, they
are facing a lot of problems, particularly in vegetable cultivation, such as:
Low productivity for unit area
Non availability of quality vegetables
High incidence of pests and diseases on local variety
Vegetables are not available throughout the year
To overcome the above problems, the department of horticulture is encouraging the
cultivation of hybrid vegetables. The following advantages are there in adopting
hybrid vegetables.
To cultivate high value vegetables and ensure their constant supply
throughout the year
To make vegetables available during off season
To produce good quality vegetables
To get more production for unit area
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Farmers are replacing local varieties with hybrid vegetable seeds in the district.
Pattern of assistance from the Government
50% cost as assistance, subject to a maximum of Rs.500/- per ha on the
cost of hybrid vegetable seeds.
A farmer will be eligible for receiving assistance normally for 2 ha or the
support is limited to Rs.3000/-
The assistance is provided on seed material only.
For this purpose an amount of Rs.37.50 lakh has been proposed over 5 years to
cover 2500 ha. The state level sanction committee of RKVY has allotted Rs.112.5
lakh to Srikakulam district for supplying hybrid vegetable seeds in 5000 ha on
subsidy duing XI plan period.
5.2.6.2 INM / IPM on vegetables
In the district, vegetable growing farmers are small and marginal farmers and are not
well acquainted with commercial cultivation of vegetables on scientific lines. So,
they are not producing good quality vegetables, because they are not maintaining
their fields free from pests and diseases and nutrient disorders. Under these field
conditions, the department of horticulture is planning to popularize the Integrated
Nutrient Management / Integrated Pest Management practices in vegetable
cultivation in Srikakulam district. It is planned to cover 1000 ha over the next 5
years, with an outlay of Rs.10 lakh.
5.2.6.2.1 Main objectives of INM / IPM To create awareness among the farmers on sustainable cultivation of
vegetables
To control the pests by utilizing minimum use of synthetic pesticides for
achieving optimum results.
To correct the nutrient deficiencies by minimizing the usage of chemical
fertilizers and duly promoting organic farming.
To reduce the cost of cultivation by adopting the suggested practices
To promote the usage of bio-products for maintenance of ecological balance
and to get quality produce.
Pattern of assistance from the government
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50% cost as assistance, subject to a maximum of Rs. 10000/- per ha on the
total cost of the inputs.
A farmer will be eligible for receiving assistance normally for one crop.
The assistance will be provided on inputs only.
5.2.6.3 Strengthening of Horticulture Extension Services
It is a known fact that the extension services in horticulture sector are not up to the
mark, when compared to those under agriculture department. In Srikakulam district,
there are 38 mandals for which only eight horticulture officers are there as against
the requirement of 18 members. To cope with the needs of the horticulture farmers in
the district, it is necessary to recruit 10 horticulture officers and 20 horticulture
consultants and supplementing them with 13 junior assistants cum accountants and
13 office subordinates.
5.2.6.3.1 InfrastructureThere are no permanent buildings for office or for training at the 13 identified
horticulture headquarters. So, the 13 office buildings are very much essential to
house the offices and to conduct training to the farmers in different aspects of
horticulture, especially on INM / IPM, organic farming, drip irrigation, rejuvenation
etc., Hence, it is required to costruct 13 office buildings with an outlay of Rs.5 lakh
per each building i.e.. a total of Rs.65 lakh. The horticulture sector is growing in
Srikakulam district in all dimensions i.e. area expansion in fruits, vegetables, flowers,
oil palm and other horticulture crops is taking place at a fast pace in the recent years.
Apart from the area expansion, rejuvenation of different perennial crops, organic
farming, INM/IPM etc., is also being implemented under different horticulture crops to
increase the productivity and production. Hence, the department of horticulture in
Srikakulam district needs extra horticulture extension services and infrastructure for
which an outlay of Rs.297.5 lakh is proposed for the XI plan period.
5.2.6.4 Drip Irrigation
It is a well known fact that drip irrigation not only conserves the water, electricity and
labor, but and it also increases yields by 30-50 % in most of the horticulture crops.
With a view to increase the area under drip irrigation during the forthcoming five
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years, it is proposed to spend Rs. 1163 crops to subsidize the supply of 14000 drip
systems during the XI plan (table 80). The detailed project analysis is presented in
annexure table A.9.
The year wise targets for implementing micro irrigation plan during XI plan period are
furnished in table 81. Till March 2006, 1040 ha was covered under sprinklers and
184 ha was covered under drip irrigation in Srikakulam district. During 2006-07, 1248
ha was brought under sprinklers and 184 ha was brought under drip systems. The
target for 2007-08 is set at 205 ha for sprinkler irrigation and 212 ha for drip
irrigation. These targets gradually increase to reach 249 ha under sprinklers and 270
ha under drip irrigation in 2011-12. Over the five years period, 1132 ha will be
brought under sprinklers at a cost of Rs.135.82 lakh and 1227 ha will be brought
under drip systems at a cost of Rs.220.86 lakh. The state level sanction committee
of RKVY has allotted Rs.702.58 lakh for subsidizing 1722 drip irrigation units in the
district during XI plan. 824 of these units are proposed for oil palm with an
investment of Rs.184.47 lakh and 353 units are targeted for vegetables at a cost of
Rs.247.06 lakh. The remaining 545 units are earmarked for sugarcane with a
subsidy cost of Rs.271.05 lakh.
5.2.6.5 Area expansion
The plan for area expansion under horticultural crops during XI plan period is given in
table 82. The total area under major horticultural crops like cashew, mango, coconut
and vegetables is estimated to have reached 47892 ha in 2006-07. It is proposed to
expand the area under horticultural crops by 1800 ha during 2007-08. 750 ha will be
brought under mango, while 500 ha will be brought under vegetables. The area under
cashew and coconut are targeted to increase by 450 ha and 100 ha respectively. The
target for expansion is reduced to 1285 ha in 2008-09, but again increased gradually
to reach 1574 ha in 2011-12. The target for area expansion under mango is reduced
over the years. The target for increasing the vegetable area is kept constant at 500
ha per year. The targets for both cashew and coconut are steadily increased over the
five years period. The detailed project analysis is presented in annexure table A.7.
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5.2.6.6 Rejuvenation of old orchards
The plan for rejuvenation of cashew and mango gardens is given in table 83. It is
estimated that 1500 ha area under old cashew gardens were rejuvenated in 2006-07.
The target for rejuvenation of cashew is gradually reduced to 1100 ha in 2008-09 and
it is kept constant at the same level for the next three years. The target for
rejuvenation of mango is set at 50 ha in 2007-08 but increased to 70 ha per year from
2008-09 onwards. The detailed project analysis is presented in annexure table A.8.
5.2.6.7 Planting material production
The details of planting material production in different years of XI plan are furnished
in table 84. There are two government nurseries at Baruva and Silagam. 2.4 ha area
is under mother plants of coconut at Baruva, while 6.80 ha area is under mother
plants of different horticultural crops at Silagam. The model nursery has 1.60 ha
under mother plants of coconut, cashew and mango. In 2006-07, 20,000 coconut
plants were produced at Baruva, while the model nursery produced 1000 plants of
coconut, 30,000 plants of cashew and 30,000 plants of mango. The targets for
coconut plants are kept at the same level over the five years period. But the targets
for cashew are increased from 30000 to 50000 during 2009-10 and 2010-11 and
finally to 100,000 in 2011-12. Similarly, the targets for mango planting materials are
increased from 30000 per year to reach 50000 per year in 2009-10 and 2010-11.
The target is further increased to reach 100000 in 2011-12. The total cost of
producing the planting materials during XI plan period is estimated at Rs.68.04 lakh.
The average cost of producing a planting material works out to Rs.10.16.
5.2.7 Investments
The investments required for implementing the interventions in horticultural sector
are furnished in table 85. The total investments required for implementing different
interventions in horticultural sector are estimated at Rs.1460.50 lakh. The majority of
the investments are meant for drip irrigation scheme. Other investments are on
strengthening extension services and supply of vegetable seeds.
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5.3 Sericulture Development 5.3.1 IntroductionAs far as Sericulture is concerned, Srikakulam is one of the non-traditional districts in
the State. Till 2004-05, very few farmers especially in tribal areas used to take up
sericulture in small holdings of mulberry in less than an acre. Accordingly, Silk worm
rearing used to be taken up in small dwelling houses, resulting in small quantities of
cocoon production and low returns. The average returns through sericulture were
around Rs.6000/- per annum. The status of sericulture in different ADA circles of
Srikakulam district is presented in table 86. There are 82 sericulture units in the
district with a total area of 63.2 ha under mulberry plantation. The average cocoon
production in the district is 628 kg per ha. It was slightly higher in Palakonda ADA
circle at 652 kg per ha. In all other ADA circles, it was 625 kg per ha. No data were
reported for state or front line demonstrations. Hence, yield gaps could not be
worked out. But the yield levels of cocoons in Srikakulam district are quite low when
compared to districts like Ananthapur or Chittoor. It is still a non traditional area for
sericulture and farmers are learning the management of mulberry crop as well as silk
worm rearing.
5.3.2 Catalytic development programIn the year 2004-05, Catalytic Development Program was launched in the district,
under which about Rs.1.00 lakh was released to each farmer as a subsidy (both the
central and state shares put together) for a unit of 2 acres. After introduction of CDP,
significant positive change is noticed in the district. Farmers are planting mulberry in
large extents, ranging from 2 acres to 6 acres. Big rearing sheds have come up.
Brushing capacity as well as the Cocoon yield has increased tremendously and on
the whole, net annual income through sericulture has increased to around Rs.40,
000/- per acre per annum. Therefore, the farmers are now showing interest in
sericulture.
Despite the above encouraging picture, small and marginal farmers are hesitating to
take up sericulture because of the following reasons. In view of Indiramma houses
and also general increases in construction activities, the material cost, labor cost and
also cement cost have increased abnormally. Therefore, the farmer has to incur a
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minimum of Rs.1 Lakh towards beneficiary contribution to establish sericulture unit
with 2 Acres of mulberry. Therefore, there is every need to encourage the farmers by
providing assistance in the following aspects to attract them towards sericulture,
which is proved quite remunerative to the farmers in Srikakulam district.
5.3.3 Interventions in sericulture sector5.3.3.1 Mulberry plantation
Making quality feed of mulberry leaves available abundantly is a real big task in
sericulture development. Present availability of mulberry production is not sufficient
to meet the demand. Hence, it is proposed to supply high yielding VI variety
saplings to the farmers to cover 125 ha with an outlay of Rs.3.75 lakh over a period
of 5 years in order to increase leaf yield by 20%, leading to an increase in cocoon
production.
5.3.3.2 Drip irrigation
Drip irrigation system will improve the leaf quality and production, besides saving in
water, labor, inputs, power and time. To develop quality leaf production in greater
quantity, it is proposed to extend financial support to the farmers to install 125 units
of drip irrigation with a financial allocation of Rs.23.328 lakh.
5.3.3.3 Construction of rearing houses
Availability of good rearing house is essential to manipulate congenial environment
i.e., temperature, humidity and aeration for the healthy growth of silk worms. To
create healthy environment for the growth of silk worms, required temperature,
humidity, light and air are to be ensured. It is proposed to extend financial assistance
of Rs.93.769 lakh to establish 125 ideal rearing houses.
5.3.3.5 Supply of quality disinfectants
Protection from diseases is the most important task in silk worm rearing. To avoid
contamination and out break of silk worm diseases it is proposed to supply quality
disinfectant material to the farmers running 125 units with a financial outlay of
Rs.3.375 lakh.
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5.3.3.6) Supply of rearing appliances
Latest rearing equipment is essential to maintain hygienic environment, besides
saving in labor cost. To improve the rearing facilities and to achieve successful
quality silk production, it is proposed to supply rearing equipment, by duly extending
financial support of Rs.12.5 lakh for 25 units in the ensuing 5 years.
5.3.3.7 Trainings and Publicity
To enrich knowledge of farmers on latest technologies, it is proposed to organize
training programs to the mulberry farmers with a financial out lay of Rs.1.25 lakh and
distribution of technical literature with a financial outlay of Rs.12.5 Lakhs for 5 years.
5.3.3.8 Onfarm training
It is proposed to organize on farm training and supply start up tools to 125 new
mulberry sericulturists with a financial outlay of Rs.3.125 lakh.
5.3.3.9 Assistance for construction of Chawkie rearing building
It is proposed to construct two chawkie rearing buildings with a financial outlay of
Rs.2.5 lakh for two units in the district.
5.3.3.10 Assistance for procurement of Chawkie rearing equipment:
It is proposed to procure chawkie rearing equipment with an outlay of Rs.5 lakh for 2
units in the district.
5.3.3.11 Vermi Compost Units
To improve the quality of mulberry leaves, vermin compost is essential. Hence, it is
programmed to organize 125 units of vermin compost with an outlay of Rs. 4.375
lakh.
5.3.3.12 Strengthening of Silk Rearing unit at Srikakulam and Seethampeta
To strengthen the Government silk rearing centres at Srikakulam and Seethampeta,
it is proposed to develop a model rearing centre for which an amount of Rs.27.50
lakh is required.
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5.3.3.13 Improvement of Seed Farm:
It is proposed to improve the Seed Farm by providing drip irrigation, fertilizers, FYM,
pipelines, flushing of bore wells, deepening of wells, taking up tree plantation etc.,
with an outlay of Rs.25 lakh for 10 units over 5 years.
5.3.4 InvestmentsThe investments required for continuation of existing schemes in sericulture sector
during XI plan period are summarized in table 87. The interventions required for
implementing interventions in sericulture sector, including new schemes during XI
plan period are given in table 88. The total investment required for implementing the
interventions in sericulture sector is estimated at Rs.502 lakh. More than 50% of the
expenditure proposed is for providing assistance to construction of rearing houses.
Assistance to drip irrigation and supply of rearing appliances are provided Rs.100
lakh each. The support mulberry plantations are Rs.27.5 lakh. Support to vermin
compost unit, support for improved cottage basin reeling units and for hot air driers
received smaller allocations. The allocations start with Rs.91.90 lakh in 2007-08 and
finally reach Rs.108.20 lakh in 2011-12. The detailed project analysis is presented in
annexure table A.10.
5.4 Animal Husbandry5.4.1 Livestock populationAs per the 17th quinquennial live stock census conducted during the year 2003, the
livestock population in Srikakulam District was estimated at 17.45 lakh (table 89). It
is also estimated that about 10% growth in population is expected during the 18 th
quinquennial live stock census which was proposed to commence from the month
of October, 2007.
The details of livestock population by ADA circle and by category of animals are
furnished in table 90. The area under fodder crops is substantial at 15350 ha in
Srikakulam district. The maximum area under fodder crops is in Srikakulam ADA
circle, followed by Narasannapeta ADA circle. Kothuru ADA circle has the least area
under fodder crops, followed by Palasa ADA circle. The grazing land in the district is
quite limited at 3447 ha. The maximum area under grazing land is found in Palasa
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ADA circle, followed by Tekkali ADA circle. The population of cows is about four to
five times higher than that of buffaloes in Srikakulam district. 28.3% of the cows in
the district are under crossbreed cows. Cross breed cattle are more than the
indigenous cattle only in Narasannapeta and Srikakulam ADA circles. In case of
buffaloes also, 24.2% belonged to improved breeds. The population of goats is more
than two times that of sheep in the district. Only 6% of the sheep belonged to
improved breeds. But, in case of goats, there were none under improved breeds.
Sheep population is substantial only in Tekkali ADA circle. The broiler population is
about three times the layer population in the district. Tekkali ADA circle has the
highest population of poultry among all the ADA circles.
5.4.2 Veterinary institutionsThe details of veterinary institutions in Srikakulam district are given in table 91 by
ADA circle. There are 293 veterinary institutions in the district. They are
concentrated more in Tekkali and Srikakulam ADA circles. The least number of
veterinary institutions is found in Kothuru ADA circle. About two third of the villages
in the district do not have any veterinary institutions in them. Among the veterinary
institutions, it is the artificial insemination centres which are more in number. Rural
live stock units occupy the second place. 100 gopala mitra units are also carrying out
artificial insemination work. There are 57 veterinary dispensaries in the district. 13
veterinary hospitals and one veterinary polyclinic are providing the advanced
treatment facilities for the animals in the district.
5.4.3 Production targets for livestock
The production plan of milk meat and eggs during XI plan period is presented in
table 92. The production of milk in 2006-07 is estimated at 2.39 lakh tons. The
productivity of milk is estimated at 2.73 liters per animal in 2007-08. This productivity
is projected to increase to 3.19 lakh tons by 2011-12. It leads to a production of 2.85
lakh tons in 2011-12, which represents an increase of 41.8% over the five years
period. The meat production in the district during 2006-07 is estimated at 5799 tons.
The meat production is projected to go up to 6800 tons in 2011-12, which represents
an increase of 17.3% over the five years. The egg production in 2006-07 is
estimated at 825.7 lakh. It is expected to reach 930 lakh eggs in 2011-12. It means
an increase of 12.6% over five years period.
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5.4.4 Interventions proposed in livestock sectorThere are certain constraints identified and strategies or interventions have been
formulated to overcome the constraints and increase the growth rate in live stock
production.
5.4.4.1 Foot and mouth vaccination program
Foot and mouth disease is one of the major and dreadful diseases which are causing
enormous harm to live stock development. At present, the vaccine is being supplied
on 50% subsidy and only 5% interested farmers are getting their animals vaccinated
against this dreadful disease. It is estimated that about 9.66 lakh cattle and buffaloes
and 7.79 lakh sheep, goats and pigs are there in the district. It is proposed to cover
all the cattle and buffaloes population of 9.6 lakh with foot and mouth vaccine 10
times over the 5 years period after a gap of every 6 months. The 7.79 lakh small
ruminants and others are targeted for vaccination six times over a period of 3 years
with a six months gap between every two vaccinations. At present, the rate approved
for each foot and mouth vaccine dose is Rs.8/- including sales tax. For this purpose,
an amount of Rs.717.80 lakh has been proposed for 5 years period. The state level
sanction committee of RKVY has allotted Rs.979.2 lakh for providing 57.6 lakh
vaccinations against foot and mouth disease during XI plan. The detailed project
analysis is presented in annexure table A.12.
5.4.4.2 Calf induction program
Female calves of good breed are inducted and supplied to beneficiaries from weaker
sections, along with support for rearing for a period of one year. An amount of Rs.
536.2 lakh is allocated to meet the cost of feed, fodder and health care over a period
of five years. The state level sanction committee of RKVY has allotted Rs.214.48
lakh for supplying 2000 heifer calves on 50% subsidy to the farmers in Srikakulam
district during XI plan period. The detailed project analysis is presented in annexure
table A.13.
5.4.4.3 Heifer calf feed subsidy
It is proposed to cover 5000 heifer female calves with feed supply on 50% subsidy
under this program. For this purpose, an amount of Rs.268.10 lakh is allocated.
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5.4.4.4 Mobile disease diagnostic labs
Under this program, all the departmental services will be provided to the farmers at
their door step. The mobile diagnostic lab will provide diagnostic facilities in remote
and tribal areas also. It is proposed to organize this scheme with an amount of
Rs.57.75 lakh. The state level sanction committee of RKVY has allotted Rs.82.16
lakh for establishing one mobile disease diagnostic laboratory in the district during XI
plan period.
5.4.4.5 Health care to sheep and goat The entire sheep and goat population in the district will be de-wormed twice in a year
at free of cost. Besides, it is intended to provide certain essential medicines to the
institutions to prevent and control sheep and goat diseases during the period of their
outbreaks. An amount of Rs. 104.59 lakh is proposed to organize this scheme over 5
years. The state level sanction committee of RKVY has allotted Rs.54.24 lakh for
providing 27.12 lakh doses of de-worming medicine free of cost during XI plan period.
The detailed project analysis is presented in annexure table A.14.
5.4.4.6 Dual purpose Chaff Cutters
The dual purpose chaff cutters will be supplied on 50% subsidy to support dairy
activity and stall feeding of sheep. It is proposed to provide 3000 chaff cutters over 5
years, with an outlay of Rs.222 lakh.
5.4.4.7 Establishment of perennial fodder production units
The fodder production has to be encouraged by establishing perennial fodder plots. It
is aimed to have at least ¼ of an acre under fodder plot for a pair of milch animals.
Green fodder plays a vital role in increasing milking capacity of the milch animals.
The existing perennial fodder units are not sufficient to meet the demand in the
district during the lean season in summer. Hence, it is necessary to make green
fodder available throughout the year to increase milk production. Therefore, it is
proposed to establish 6300 perennial fodder units, with an outlay of Rs.78.75 lakh
over 5 years in the district. The detailed project analysis is presented in annexure
table A.15.
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5.4.4.8 Induction of milch animalsBased on the local conditions prevailing in the area , Jersey or H.F. cross breed cows
and Murrah buffalos will be inducted and each beneficiary will be provided with one
animal initially, followed by a 2nd animal after 6 months. The unit cost for 2 animals is
Rs.60000/- For this purpose, an amount of Rs.2250 lakh has been proposed for
induction and supply of 15000 animals. The state level sanction committee of RKVY
has allotted Rs.800 lakh for the supply of 4000 milch animals on subsidy during XI
plan period. The detailed project analysis is presented in annexure table A.16.
5.4.5 InvestmentsThe district sector plans for livestock development during X plan period are furnished
in table 93 by mandal. There are no district level schemes for animal husbandry
development in any of the mandals in the district. For the continuation of existing
schemes in XI plan period, the requirement of funds is presented in table 94. The
total investment required for implementing the interventions in animal husbandry
sector is estimated at Rs.489.6 lakh during the XI plan period. The major scheme for
which the highest budget is allotted is the supply of life saving drugs, which accounts
for about two third of the total budget. Fodder development schemes require the next
highest amount, followed by supply of fodder seed mini kits. De-worming of sheep
also received substantial allocation. Supply of foot and mouth vaccine and
establishment of mobile veterinary clinics to service back ward areas received
relatively less allocations.
The total requirement of funds for livestock development including new schemes is
summarized in table 95. The total requirement of funds for livestock development in
XI plan period is estimated at Rs.4235.14 lakh. More than half of the investment is
meant for induction of milch animals alone. Vaccination against foot and mouth
disease, calf induction program, heifer calf feed subsidy and supply of chaff cutters
are the other schemes requiring substantial investments. Other schemes like
establishment of mobile disease diagnostic laboratories and perennial fodder
production units are allotted relatively less amount of funds. The state level sanction
committee of RKVY has allotted Rs.7.02 lakh to Srikakulam district for the supply of
468 breeding rams on subsidy to the shepards. It has also allotted Rs.25 lakh for the
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establishment of one sheep market yard in the district. An amount of Rs.30 lakh was
provided to Srikakulam district for supporting training of 3000 dairy farmers and
shepards. It has also received an allocation of Rs.1.1 lakh for establishing two bulk
milk cooling units in the district.
5.5 Fisheries Development
Srikakulam district is having a long coastline of 193 km spanning over 11 mandals
and 104 fishermen villages in the district. Population of fishermen community is 157,
000. Active marine fishermen are 29000 and inland fishermen are 37000. There are
74 marine fishermen industrial co-operative societies and 64 inland fishermen
societies. Nine mahila matsya co-operative societies with a total share capital of
Rs.189, 402/- are also functioning in the district. There are 238 departmental tanks
and 662 ha area under brackish water prawn culture in the district. It has a good
potential for inland fisheries in the reservoirs and tanks. The atmosphere is congenial
for prawn cultivation. The area under fish ponds is increasing day by day. There is
immense potential for brackish water fisheries at the confluence of rivers and several
creeks joining the Bay of Bengal. The fishing harbor at Baruva is the center of
marine fisheries activity in the district.
5.5.1 Status of fisheriesThe information about fisheries sector along with yield gap analysis at the district
level is presented in table 96. In Srikakulam district, there are 495 in land ponds, four
rivers and 193 km coastal line for facilitating fish culture. The average yield of fish
per ha is estimated at 300 kg. The yield gap is estimated at 200 kg per ha. The
reasons for yield gaps were identified has stocking of fry instead of finger lings,
improper management and short seasonality of tanks. A number of fish types like
catla, rohu, mrigala and other carps as well as fresh water prawns are reared in
Srikakulam district.
5.5.2 Yield gap analysis by water sourceThe productivity levels of fish in different water sources have been analyzed and this
analysis revealed that there are gaps in productivity levels and that there is a
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possibility to bridge the gap to attain additional production. The details are
summarized in table 97.
5.5.3 Water spread areas in the district
The water spread areas in different sources available for fish culture are summarized
in table 98. In Srikakulam district, there are 262 gram panchayat tanks, each of
which is smaller than 40 ha. The total water spread area of these gram panchayat
tanks is 598 ha. The average water spread area of gram panchayat tanks is 2.3 ha.
There are also 221 departmental tanks, each of which is more than 40 ha in area.
The total water spread area in them is 2657 ha. The average water spread area in
the departmental tanks is only 12.02 ha. There is one reservoir with water spread
area of 944 ha. There are four rivers in the district which run for a total length of 72
km. All these water resources are accessible for fish culture as well as capture.
There is need to increase the production of fish/prawn to achieve the following objectives:
To utilize the water resources optimally To provide protein rich food to the people To make it available to common man at an affordable price To supplement the income of fishermen To earn foreign exchange To increase the livelihood standards of fishermen
5.5.4 Targets for fish production, requirement of fish seed and hatcheries
The details of fish production targets, seed requirements and hatchery needs in
different years of XI plan period are given in table 99. The production of fish in
Srikakulam district is estimated at 2600 tons in 2007-08. The fish production is
expected to remain stagnant at the same level till 2010-11. But it is projected to
double in one year i.e. during 2011-12. The requirement of seed for stocking is
expected to remain constant at 85 lakh finger lings till 2010-11. The requirement is
expected to go up to 140 lakh finger lings in 2011-12. Five hatcheries are required to
produce sufficient seed every year. The requirement of hatcheries will obviously go
up in 2011-12 to produce additional quantities of fish seed.
5.5.5 Interventions 86
Regarding fisheries, the following schemes are proposed to increase production and
productivity in fresh water fish culture and brackish water shrimp culture.
5.5.5.1 Fresh water fish culture Under this component, 40 units are proposed for one year and 200 units are
proposed for 5 years in XI th period plan. There are 242 departmental tanks in the
district. Majority of the tanks are long seasonal i.e. the water retention period is more
than 9 months. Average fish production is 250 kg per ha. Due to inadequate
stocking of required number and size of fish seed, the production per ha is not up to
the mark. Therefore, there is a need to stock optimum number of good quality and
right sized fish seed in sufficient quantity. If this is done, the productivity of fish can
be increased up to 500 kg/ ha of water spread area i.e. the present level of
production can be doubled in the ensuing 5 years. The state level sanction
committee of RKVY has allotted Rs.40 lakh for supporting fresh water fish culture in
40 tanks in the district.
5.5.5.1.1 Components proposed under the SchemeUnit Cost : 0.25 lakh
Area proposed : 3 Ha.
Cost of fish seed : Rs.7500/-
Cost of feed : Rs.15000/-
Manuring : Rs.2500/-
5.5.5.2 Construction of Fish markets
Usually the consumer prefers quality / hygienic fish. To attract the consumer and get
good price, shelter / common place has to be provided to the fish vendors. The fish
markets have been proposed for construction in selected areas of the district. Under
this scheme, five fish markets are proposed for one year and 20 are proposed over
the next five years. The state level sanction committee of RKVY has allotted Rs.30
lakh for establishing six fish markets in major gram panchayat areas and Rs.10 lakh
for establishing one fish market in Muncipal areas. The district has also received an
allocation of Rs.9 lakh for subsidizing the establishment of 60 individual fish retail
vending units in the district duing XI plan period.
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5.5.5.3 Revolving fund for Fisherwomen
There are nine fisherwomen Coop. Societies in the district with a total membership of
876. Further, it is proposed to organize more Fisherwomen Coop. Societies in the
district to provide assistance to fish vending by providing revolving fund to the
fisherwomen groups so that the groups will be strengthened and livelihood will be
improved. The state level sanction committee of RKVY has allotted Rs.22.5 lakh for
supporting the activities of nine Mathsya Mitra Groups with a total membership of
644.
5.5.5.4 Supply of Nets and Boats
To increase the efficiency of the fish catch and to improve the financial standards of
the fishermen, 50 units for the 1st year and 200 units over the ensuing 5 years are
proposed.
5.5.5.5 Construction of New PondsTo increase the stocking area and to enhance fish production in the district it is
proposed to construct 90 units with an outlay of Rs.46000/- each in the district. The
state level sanction committee of RKVY has allotted Rs.460 lakh for encouraging
fresh water fish culture in 100 ha area.
5.5.5.6 Training and Capacity buildingUnder this component training / exposure visits have been proposed to fishermen /
aqua farmers and fisherwomen in the district to create awareness and improve their
skills.
5.5.5.7 Strengthening of existing fish seed farmThere is a fish seed farm in Srikakulam town which is production cum rearing farm.
There is a great demand for fish seed in the district. The fishermen coop. Society /
aqua farmers are procuring fish seed from other states and districts, which is
increasing their investment on the cost of fish seed. Further, to meet the demand
and to supply the quality seed, the existing fish farm has to be improved by
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constructing Chinese type hatchery in the district. Therefore, Rs.10 lakh is proposed
for the first year and Rs.80 lakh is proposed for the next 5 years to provide adequate
infrastructure facilities for increasing the seed production.
5.5.5.8 Construction of fish seed rearing Farms
To meet the seed demand, it is proposed to construct two seed production cum
rearing farms in the district.
5.5.5.9 FRP motorized catamarans / Navas and NetsIn the district 80% of the boats are traditional and non-motorized. Therefore, there is
a need to supply motorized boats. Hence, it is proposed to supply 30 units in the first
year and 80 units over the next 5 years in the district.
5.5.5.10 Brackish Water Shrimp culture
Shrimp culture is becoming a boon to the aqua farmers, earning foreign exchange.
In the district, 11 coastal mandals have about 2000 ha, which is suitable for brackish
water aqua culture. Hence, it is proposed to establish 140 units in the ensuing 5
years.
5.5.6 Investments
The investments targeted and achievements realized during the X plan period are
furnished in table 100. During X plan period, Rs.6.71 lakh were allotted for fishery
development in 2004-05. Out of it only Rs.2.31 lakh were spent. It constitutes only
34.4% of the target. For 2005-06, an amount of Rs.2.74 lakh was allotted, but only
Rs.1.71 lakh was spent. It amounts to achieving only 62.4% of the target. The target
was further reduced to Rs.1.86 lakh in 2006-07. The actual expenditure was only
Rs.1.41 lakh. It implies that only 75.8% of the target was achieved. Thus, during the
last three years of X plan period, the targets were never achieved, although the
targets were scaled down year after year. Most of the money was spent relief-cum-
savings, exemption of sales tax on HSD oil, supply of ice boxes, motorization of craft
to fishermen, supply of fish seed on subsidy, revolving fund to fisher women
cooperative societies, tribal sub-plan etc.,
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The investments required for the continuation of existing schemes during XI plan
period are summarized in table 101. For the continuation of on going schemes
during XI plan period, the financial targets are increased. The target starts with
Rs.22.55 lakh in 2007-08 and gradually increases to reach Rs.36.30 lakh in 2011-12.
The total requirement of funds during XI plan period adds up to Rs.146.25 lakh. The
major expenditure is for the same items in XI plan like relief-cum-savings, supply of
fish seed on subsidy, motorization of craft to fishermen, supply of ice boxes,
revolving fund to fisherwomen cooperative societies etc.,
The investments required for implementing all the interventions proposed for fisheries
development, including new schemes, during XI plan period is furnished in table 102.
The total investments proposed for fishery development in the district add up to
Rs.657 lakh. Construction of farms for rearing of fish seed, supply of FRP motorized
catarans and nets and construction of fish markets required relatively higher
investments. Other schemes like strengthening of departmental farms, support to
brackish water shrimp culture and supporting fresh water fish culture in tanks also
received substantial allocations. All other schemes required relatively less
investments. The detailed project analysis is presented in annexure table A.11.
5.6 Watershed Development5.6.1 District water management agency in Srikakulam
In rain fed agriculture, watershed as a unit of development is expected to give better
results. Watershed is a concept which integrates conservation, management and
budgeting rainwater through simple but discrete hydrological units. Simultaneously, a
watershed supports a holistic framework, it means the combined application of
technology on soil and water conservation with improved crop varieties, farming
systems and crop management, taking into account both arable and non-arable land.
Water resource development, management, harvesting and equitable sharing of
benefits are the objectives of watershed development. With improved availability of
water, farmers are motivated to accept more profitable, sustainable and innovative
farming system. Cropping systems need to be tailored to suit different rainfall cum soil
zones.
5.6.2 Action Plan
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A massive program for development of dry lands in Srikakulam over 10 years period
was launched during 2001. Ten year action plan for development includes wastelands,
degraded lands, and degraded reserve forests. It was envisaged to develop 16469 ha
area of degraded and waste land with an outlay of Rs.878.936lakh during 1997-2007 @
5336 ha every year by the departments of rural development, forest and agriculture.
5549 ha area has been covered in 166 watersheds by rural development and
agriculture departments. The program for 2007-2008 is given in table 103.
5.6.2.1 The following are the activities taken up under watersheds
a) Stone clearance
b) Bush clearance
c) Land leveling
d) Farm bunding
e) Stone bunding / terracing
f) Gully plugging
g) C.C.Ts
h) Farm ponds
i) Percolation tanks
5.6.3 Indira Prabha
The Government of Andhra Pradesh has launched Indira Prabha (Comprehensive
Land Development Project) on 19th November, 2004 for development of under
developed, assigned lands distributed to the poor in two phases i.e. RIDF-IX and
RIDF-X with NABARD assistance and to bring the lands under cultivation for
improvement of livelihood and to prevent migration. In Srikakulam district, the
project is being implemented under RIDF-IX and X. The details are given in table
104. Areas developed and the crops grown in them are furnished in table 105.
5.6.4 Plan for soil survey in watersheds
The plan for soil survey in watersheds during XI plan period is given in table 106.
There are five watersheds proposed for soil survey and development during XI plan
in Srikakulam district. One of them lies in Kothur mandal and the other four are in
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Bhamini mandal. These watersheds cover 13 villages in all. The total area under
them is 3803 ha. Out of this, 1303 ha is to be deleted from survey area. Over the five
years period it is proposed to take up survey in 2500 ha from all the 13 villages
under the watersheds.
The proposals for development of watersheds during XI plan period are furnished in
table 107. Out of 3803 ha under the five watersheds in Srikakulam districts, 1303 ha
are to be deleted from soil survey, as that area is not suitable watershed
development. Out of the 2500 ha suitable for watershed development, only 52 ha
area was developed till the end of X plan. The remaining 2448 ha is available for
development. It is proposed to develop 448 ha in 2007-08, at a total cost of Rs.11.88
lakh. This target is raised to 500 ha per year from the next year onwards at a cost of
Rs.15 lakh per year in the next four years. Over the five years period, the entire 2448
ha area will be developed at a cost of Rs.71.88 lakh.
The plan for in situ moisture conservation by following the alternate technologies
during XI plan period is furnished in table 108. Till 2006-07, 8690 ha was treated for
in situ soil moisture conservation measures. During the XI plan period, it is proposed
to continue the in situ soil moisture conservation program at a smaller scale. The
targets for in situ soil moisture conservation will start from 115 ha in 2007-08, and
will go up to 125 ha from 2008-09 onwards. The same target will be maintained till
2011-12. All the four types of in situ soil moisture conservation strategies will be
implemented in all the five years.
5.6.5 NREGS program
The details of works sanctioned under NREGS are furnished in table 109. The total
works taken up for implementation in Srikakulam district under National Rural
Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) in 2007-08 amounted to Rs.1043.53
lakh. Water conservation and rural connectivity received substantial allocations.
Other works together accounted for Rs.678 lakh. Plantation for drought proofing and
flood control required small expenditures.
5.7 Irrigation Development
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There are 3 types of irrigation projects in Srikakulam district. The details are given
below.
5.7.1 Existing projects in the district5.7.1.1 Vamsadhara Project
One barrage has been constructed at Gotta village in Hiramandalam mandal with
an existing ayacut of 59292 ha, covering 17 mandals in the district.
5.7.2 New Proposals under Vamsadhara Project5.7.2.1 Vamsadhara Stage – II of Phase –I
Further, construction of reservoir on Vamsadhara river at Hiramandalam (Gotta
Barrage) is in progress under Stage – II of Phase –I.
5.7.2.2 Vamsadhara Stage-II of Phase –II
Besides this, new proposals under Vamsadhara Stage-II of Phase –II has been
sanctioned with an outlay of Rs.933.6 crore and the work is in progress. Under
Thotapalli, 45200 ha additional area will be brought under cultivation with AIBP
funds.
5.7.3 Thotapalli regulator
The regulator is constructed on Nagavali River at Thotapalli village of Vizianagaram
district and it is covering major areas in Vizianagaram district and 12683 ha in
Srikakulam district covering five mandals.
5.7.4 Additional proposals
Under Thotapalli, it is proposed to bring an extent of 45200 ha additionally under irrigation with AIBP funds.
5.7.4.1 Madduvalasa Reservoir Project
A reservoir on Suvarnamukhi and Vegavathi has been constructed at Madduvalasa
of Vangara mandal which irrigates 9880 ha in Vangara, Amadalavalasa, Santhakaviti
and part of G.Sigadam mandals.
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5.7.5 New Proposals
Under Madduvalsa Phase –II, an additional area of 5000 ha will be brought under cultivation with an outlay of Rs.39.03 crore.
5.7.6 Minor Irrigation Sources
There are 1024 minor irrigation tanks and 7000 panchayat raj tanks to cover a total
extent of 63923 ha and 61110 ha respectively in the district.
5.7.7 Lift Irrigation Projects
There are 3 main lift irrigation projects, covering 336 ha in four mandals i.e. Vangara, Saravakota, Pathapatnam and Kotabommali.
5.7.8 Other sources 5.7.8.1 Area under Wells & Borewells
The area under wells and bore wells is 11767 ha in the district.
5.7.9 Irrigation potential
The irrigation potential in the district is summarized in table 110. Further funds are
required for maintenance of medium irrigation projects. The existing area under it is
39,459 ha. The funds needed for maintenance @ Rs.500/- ha per year is Rs.1.973
core. The area under minor irrigation area is 125, 033 ha. The funds needed for
maintenance @ Rs.250/- per ha per year is estimated as Rs.3.126 crore. The total
requirement adds up to Rs.5.09 crore per year. The total picture of irrigation in the
district after the completion of all the projects is given in table 111.
5.7.10 Community irrigation tanks
The development plans of community irrigation tanks during XI plan period are
furnished in table 112. There are 1025 community tanks in the districts. At the end of
2006-07, they have irrigated an area of 63923 ha. The investment during 2006-07 for
their maintenance was estimated at Rs.256 lakh. The area irrigated is expected to
increase to 67688 ha by 2011-12. Over the five years period, an additional area of
3765 ha will be brought under irrigation by investing an amount of Rs.2050 lakh for
the maintenance of irrigation tanks in the district.
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5.8 Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP)
Srikakulam district is having a total geographical area of 584, 302 ha and the net
area sown is 53.4% of it. The important crops grown, their average yields and costs
of cultivation are furnished in table 113.
5.8.1 Problems and strategies in different crops
The problems faced in different crops and the strategies that need to be
implemented to overcome them are summarized in table 114.
5.8.2 Issues needing attention
Broad issues in the district which are cutting across all crops in the district can be
summarized as:
Lack of timely availability of quality seed in adequate quantities pest and disease problems Community Seed Banks Non Pesticidal Management Crop diversity, multiple cropping Soil health and productivity management Poor plant population i.e., 28 hills /sq.m Non-Availability of quality seed High doses of Chemical fertilizers Endemic problems of gall midge and blast Poor organic matter content Improper water management
5.8.3 Pesticide consumption
The consumption of pesticides is very low in the district i.e., 11 M.T of technical
grade material. Even though there are many production constraints in different crops,
the problems faced in tribal areas need special mention.
5.8.4 Tribal areas
In tribal areas of Srikakulam, the usage of chemicals is picking up which is pushing
up the cost of cultivation. It was identified that there is scope for expanding tapioca
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cultivation in the tribal areas of the district. The present status of tapioca in the
district is presented in table 115.
5.8.5 Non- pesticidal Management
Program implementation started in August with 5000 acres through 5 NGOs and
2731 farmers. In the next five years, the targets set for NPM coverage are given in
table 116.
5.8.6 Strategies for next five years
10% with vegetables and I.D. crops like maize in case of early kharif paddy
Short duration pulses and green manure preceding kharif paddy
Promotion of groundnut and chilly
Azolla culture in paddy
Promotion of pulses like green gram, black gram etc., in rice fallows
Marketing of local varieties of chilly
Focus towards vegetable production
5.8.7 Allocations under RKVYThe state level sanction committee of RKVY has allotted Rs.79.77 lakh to the activities of SERP in the district during XI plan period.
5.9 Agricultural Marketing 5.9.1 Introduction Marketing is one of the major and important aspects in farming sector. The
economy of the farmers directly depends on the market price of the produce. In
Srikakulam district, there are 13 Market Committees functioning and catering to the
marketing needs of farming community. The most important farmer friendly program
is Rythu Bandhu pathakam, which is providing facility for storing the farmers’
produce, besides providing 75% value of the produce as loan. This facility is very
useful to the farmers. It is a priority program of the government like the seed village
program, which is being implemented by the department of agriculture.
5.9.2 Village markets
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The entire district is covered by the 13 Agricultural Market Committees. Each AMC
on an average covers 3-5 mandals, 143 villages, 24000 ha and with 3 notified
market yards. Farmer-producers are discouraged from accessing existing market
yards as he/she is supposed to incur huge transportation costs traveling 12 to 15 km,
whereas the national average is 5 to 7 km. Therefore, there is a need to undertake
decentralized market operations near farm gate/village cluster to enhance market
access to farmer-producers. To this end, it is proposed to organize procurement/
collection centres near the farm gate or village clusters identified by local AMCs as
‘spoke’ markets within the notified markets of the AMCs as ‘Hub’ markets.
Also, the regulated markets suffer from locational disadvantages and from lack of
necessary infrastructural facilities. All market yards in the district are non-
functional. Regulating transactions ‘outside’ the market yard is a herculean task, due
to in-built traditional relation between farmers and traders. Breaking such
traditionally and functionally strong links existing between traders and growers from
‘outside’ by tightening or regulation of trade is fraught with the danger of disturbing
the base without an assured alternative on a sustained basis.
In addition to the above, the complaints from farmers in the existing market yards
center round traditional ways of weighing, unscientific ways of grading and irrational
ways of declaring prices for the commodities through auction/tender system. To
overcome this problem, it is proposed to use electronic weighing machines, moisture
meters and other post harvest support technology including storage space and
drying plat form, duly placing the services of trained graders/sorters among educated
youth who are well settled in cultivation near the proposed village markets.
In the process of decentralized farmer-centric activities, it is also proposed to take up
core market activities such as processing and grading by using standardization
techniques, including storage, weighing and certification can as well be performed at
the farm or village level to ease out congestion in regulated markets.
Evolving systems from ‘within’ to rationalize the existing trade practices by statutory
clothing was thought of as a feasible alternative is the objective behind the proposed
arrangements. Nodal agencies designated for the purpose of procurement of paddy,
coarse grain, maize, cotton and oilseeds under MSP and MIS such as A.P. Civil
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Supplies Corporation, A.P. Markfed, A.P. Oil Federation on behalf of
FCI/NAFED/CCI could be largely encouraged under the proposed concept to set-up
their operations locally. Proposed approach is in tune with the policy guidelines of
Govt. of India to enable the farmers to market their produce within 8 km radius
(distance) locally. To this end, mandal-wise village clusters have been identified for
(13) Agricultural Market Committees in the district. It is proposed to cover all the 38
mandals and establish as many as 195 procurement / collection centers (PCs/CCs)
at an estimated cost of Rs.5500 lakh.
5.9.3 E-trading solutionsThe proposal is aimed at improving the overall functioning of three functional
Agricultural Market Committees in the district. The project is envisaged to
computerize markets and monitor operations by providing e-trading solutions.
Project is going to be developed with the support of National Informatics
Center (NIC).
Project operation and maintenance and creation of minor terminal
infrastructure with the help of private vendor.
Incrementally, within a span or 3 to 4 months, the project is going to be
implemented throughout the state of Andhra Pradesh.
District wise local operators are going to be selected.
For creating the minor terminal infrastructure as per the technical
specifications, the local operator can even raise loan from bank.
This is also an employment generation scheme.
The farmers shall be immensely benefited as the roles of intermediaries get
diminished.
The transaction time shall get reduced.
Market department officials shall be able to maintain up-to date and accurate
records of all the transactions easily without any capital investment.
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The list of three functional market yards in the district along with funds required is
given in table 117.
5.9.4 Farmer Information Centers (FIC)There is a great revolution in the filed of information technology and the government
of Andhra Pradesh has taken many steps to utilize this technological advantage for
the benefit of rural people, especially the farming community, which constitutes more
than 60% of the state population. The prime objective in proposing the FIC
equipment in the existing market yards is to transfer the technology directly from lab
to land and from land to lab, apart from general health care etc. It aims to transfer
the technology to the farmers at their door step to improve quality and productivity
and, thereby improving the economical condition of farmer. The main advantage in
providing FIC system is to avoid the involvement of middlemen and to provide
comprehensive information regarding crop techniques to the farmers. The proposed
integrated FIC system consists of interactive information KIOSK, IVRS (Interactive
Voice Response System), automatic display and announcement system and an
exclusive web site portal.
From FIC system, latest information on prices can be made available, enabling the
farmers to get best price for his product. Critical information on crop diseases and
detailed information on pesticides in a given location and the sources of genuine
pesticides can also be provided. Farmers can be given details about marketing his
produce and crop management. The F.I.C. system disseminates online price
information on arrivals at all 889 market yards in the LOCAL LANGUAGE. Apart
from this, information on cultivation, general health care, news and food & nutrition
can also be made available to the farming community.
Multimedia based user friendly interactive information Kiosk is very easy to operate
using finger touch mechanism for information that is made available in local
language such as:-
Crop and variety selection based on soil and water resources. Suggested intercrops and advantages. Pests and pest control methods. Latest agricultural implements and their usage. Daily price, arrival and weather reports.
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Farmer educative video clippings. Local soil terrains with full details for selection of suitable crop seeds. Expert advises. News flashes. Facilities provided such as cold storages, soil test laboratories along with
addresses. Health care; Information on HIV / AIDS, TR, Cancer, Malaria, Dengue,
Leprosy etc., Food and Nutrition : Nutrition related information on Fruits & Vegetables,
Eggs, Poultry, Meat etc., Jalayagnam details etc.,
5.9.4.1 The components of FIC system The components of FIC system are presented in table 118.
5.9.5 Advantages to the farmers
Information is available locally in local language.
Information on daily commodity prices and arrivals
Interactive information on all activities of cultivation
Effective utilization of govt. schemes, subsidies, loans, insurance.
Farmer education by audio visual programs.
Expert advice to specific queries.
It is programmed to establish Farmers Information centres in 13 Agricutlure Market
Committees and 45 notified markets with an outlay Rs.330.75 lakh in the district. The
investments required for interventions in agricultural marketing are furnished in table
119.
5.10 Rural Industries
The status of small-scale industries in the district is presented in table 120. There are a total of 5683 Small Scale Industry (SSI) units in the district. They
involve a total investment of Rs.9117.70 lakh and 38522 persons are employed in
them. Agro-based industries dominate in all aspects of numbers, investment and
employment. Next to agri-based units, forest based units lead in number and
employment, but they involve relatively less investment. Engineering based units
involve very high investments, but chemical based units provide substantial
employment, although their number is quite small. Next to them chemical based and
textile based units are important. Mineral based units are also important for providing
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employment. Other miscellaneous units also involve substantial investments and
employment.
The proposals for supporting units generating rural employment under Khadi and
Village Industries Program during XI plan period are funsihed in table 121. It is
proposed to establish 96 units under Khadi and Village Industry Program every year
during the XI plan period. For each year, the investment involved is Rs.110 lakh for
setting up 96 units at a unit cost of Rs.1.14 lakh. This money is provided to the units
as margin money when these units borrow from financial institutions. These units are
being helped as they are generating employment in the rural areas.
The targets and achievements in Prime Minister Rojgar Yojana (PMRY) under
district industries centre during X plan are summarized in table 122. During XI plan
period, all the targets set for the first three years under Prime Minister Rozgar
Yojana (PMRY) were achieved. But in the last two years, i.e., 2005-06 and 2006-07,
the targets were under achieved. The proposals for physical and financial targets
under Prime Minster Rojgar Yojana (PMRY) during XI plan period are given in table
123. During the XI plan period, targets are set for the action plan of District Industries
Centre (DIC). The target for 2007-08 is set at 710 units at a cost of Rs.710 lakh.
These targets are progressively increased to reach 900 units in 2011-12 at a subsidy
cost of Rs.900 lakh.
The financial assistance provided during X plan by the department of handloom and
textiles is detailed in table 124. During 2002-03, an amount of Rs.10.02 lakh was
spent for different schemes under the development of handlooms and textiles. In
2003-04, the expenditure was increased to Rs.17.25 lakh. The achievement in 2004-
05 was still higher at Rs.41.13 lakh. But the achievement in 2005-06 was only
Rs.16.05 lakh. It has fallen further to Rs.5.21 lakh in 2006-07.
The targets set for different years of XI plan period for the schemes under
department of handlooms and textiles are given in table 125. The target for
industries under handlooms and textiles was set at Rs.111.91 lakh. It involved three
sub schemes. The first one is to establish 410 handloom clusters with a subsidy of
Rs.65.16 lakh. Another Rs.12.47 lakh is provided as financial assistance to 29 101
PWCS as a marketing incentive. 140 groups will be supported under IHDS at a
subsidy of Rs.34.28 lakh. The targets for the next four years of XI plan period are not
yet set.
5.11 Agricultural credit and insurance 5.11.1 Status of agricultural creditCredit is the most important input in Agriculture. Without this input, farmers
experience difficulty in procuring other inputs like seeds, fertilizers etc., The financial
institutions have provided both crop as well as term loans to the extent of Rs.333.90
crore, covering 2.21 lakh farmers during 2006-2007 in Srikakulam district. Due to the
initiative taken by the state govt. and district administration, banks have almost
doubled the credit flow to the agriculture sector in the last three years. Comparative
statement on credit flow is furnished in table 126.
In a matter of two years, crop loans have gone up by 60%. But compared to crop
loans, the quantum of term loans given to agricultural development are quite
insignificant. The term loans have gone up by 27.5 per cent. The overall increase in
agricultural credit was noted to be 59%. The details of credit institutions and credit
supplied by them in 2006-07 are furnished in table 127 by ADA circle. There are 157
branches of commercial banks and regional rural banks to dispense credit to
farmers. All these banks have together advanced Rs.44115.27 lakh. Commercial
banks have provided more than 50% of the total credit. The regional rural banks
provided 42% of the total credit. The share of cooperatives is only about 8%. Among
the ADA circles, Tekkali ADA circle received the highest amount of credit. It is
followed by Srikakulam and Palasa ADA circles. The lowest amount of credit was
dispensed in Kothuru ADA circle, followed by Rajam ADA circle.
5.11.2 Targets for agricultural credit in XI plan period
The targets for crop and term loans during XI plan period are given in table 128. Very
ambitious targets were set for agricultural credit during XI plan period. The target for
crop loans start with Rs. 387.17 crore in 2007-08 and go up to Rs. 566.85. Between
2006-07 and 2011-12, the target for crop loan is enhanced by 70 per cent. The target
for term loans is even set higher to start with Rs. 64.82 crore in 2007-08 and is
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projected to reach Rs. 94.90 lakh. This figure represents an increase of 1761 per
cent over the five years period.
5.11.2.1 Targets for crop loans in XI plan
The details of crop loans proposed for disbursement during XI plan period are
furnished in table 129. Out of the 4.41 lakh farmers in the district, 1.01 lakh are
members of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) while 1.04 lakh are
borrowers from banks. The total loanee farmers who avail crop loans were 1.15 lakh
in number. The total crop loans disbursed in 2006-07 were to the tune of Rs.33909
lakh. These targets are increased rapidly during the XI plan period. The target for
crop loans starts with Rs.37826 lakh in 2007-08 and increases to finally reach
Rs.92349 lakh in 2011-12. It represents an increase of 172 per cent over a period of
five years.
5.11.2.2 Targets for agricultural development loans in XI plan
The details of agricultural development loans during XI plan period are furnished in
table 130. Only 11588 farmers borrowed agricultural developmental loans during
2006-07. They borrowed a total amount of Rs.10270 lakh. Tekkali, Ranasthalam and
Palasa ADA circles lead in agriculture development loans. The targets for agriculture
development loans are set quite high during the XI plan period. It starts with a target
of Rs.12479 lakh in 2007-08 and gradually goes up to Rs.21826 lakh in 2011-12. It
represents an increase of 113 per cent over a period of five years.
5.11.3 Agricultural Insurance
The status and targets for coverage under agricultural insurance during XI plan
period are detailed in table 131. The data on agricultural insurance during 2006-07
are reported only for Palakonda ADA circle. 1494 farmers were covered by
agricultural insurance involving 598 ha. But the targets for insurance are set for all
the years during XI plan. The target for number of farmers to be covered in 2007-08
is set at 7900. The sum to be assured is targeted at Rs.40.13 lakh. These targets are
progressively increased to reach 11566 farmers in 2011-12 to cover a sum assured
of Rs.58.76 lakh. Both the number as well as the sum assured is projected to go up
by 46% over the five years period.
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5.12 Investments and outcomes 5.12.1 Investments
The total investments proposed for implementing the interventions in different
subsectors of agriculture are summarized in table below:
Table: Investments for development of agriculture and allied enterprises
S.No. Sector Investment(Rs.in lakh)
1. Agriculture 8073.002. Horticulture 1460.503. Sericultue 106.804. Animal husbandry 4235.145. Fisheries 657.006. Marketing 5890.757. SERP 797.68
Total 21220.87
The total investment required for the development of agriculture and allied
enterprises in Srikakulam district during XI plan period is estimated at Rs.21220.87
lakh. Agriculture accounts for about 38% of the total investment. Animal husbandry
accounted for 20% of the total investment. Horticulture sector received about 6.9% of
the total investment. Marketing activities got a share of 27.8% in the total investment.
Fisheries got an allocation of 3.1%, while sericulture received only 0.5% of the total
investment. SERP got a substantial allocation of 3.8% of the total investment.
5.12.2 Outcomes
The outcomes expected from different subsectors of agriculture as a result of the
investments that will be made are furnished in table below:
Table: Anticipated growth rates in different subsectors of agriculturre(In per cent)
S.No. Sector 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 Average1. Agriculure 3.8 3.9 4.0 4.1 4.2 42. Horticulutre 6.0 6.25 6.5 6.75 7.0 6.53. Sericulture 11.5 12.0 12.5 13.0 13.5 12.54. Animal
husbandry8.8 9.0 9.2 9.4 9.6 9.2
5. Fisheries 4.8 5.0 5.2 5.4 5.6 5.2Average 5.6 6.0 6.4 6.8 7.2 6.4
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The total agricultural sector is expected to grow at an average rate of 6.4% per year
during the XI plan period. The highest growth rate of 12.5% per year is expected to
result in sericulture sector. Animal husbandry sector is projected to grow at the rate
of 9.2% per year during the XI plan period. Horticulture sector is expected to grow at
the rate of 6.5% per year. Fisheries sector is targeted to grow at the rate of 5.2% per
year. The slowest growth rate of 4.0% per year is expected to occur in case of crop
sector. Over the plan period, the growth rate is expected to accelearate, starting from
5.6% in 2007-08, and going up to 7.2% in 2011-12.
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Chapter VIDistrict Plan
6.1 Introduction
The agricultural sector in Srikakulam district has good potential to grow. With nearly
two-thrid of the cropped area covered by irrigation and the incidence of high rainfall,
both the irrigated and rain fed crops can do well in the district. The soils are quite
diverse and can support a broad range of crops. Paddy, sugarcane, groundnut and
sesamum are important crops grown in the district. With the augmentation of
irrigation resources by the Jalayagnam projects, there is good scope for expansion
of irrigated area and increases in crop yields. With the output price situation being
favorable, the profitability of crops is likely to increase. Although agriculture still
remains to be the most important sector, the area is gradually getting diversified in to
other allied enterprises. Horticulture has already occupied 52604 ha and it is still
expanding. Social forestry has made rapid strides and is covering 19370 ha.
Aquaculture is booming and it has occupied 10357 ha. Sericulture has just made a
beginning and is covering only 71 ha. Other enterprises are occupying a small area
of 165 ha. Thus, a total of 82567 ha are under allied agricultural enterprises. All
these sectors are poised for a rapid growth in the coming five years because there is
no dearth of demand for the products of these sectors.
6.2 Growth drivers of the districtWith reasonably good resource endowments and progressive nature of the farmers,
all the sub-sectors of agriculture can be good growth drivers in the district. Among
the field crops, rice, sugarcane, groundnut and sesamum are all poised for growth
because of the favorable price and demand situation on one hand and new
technologies available for increasing productivity on the other hand. The scope for
new areas receiving irrigation facilities makes it possible to increase areas under
these crops. It should not be difficult to achieve a production growth of more than 5
per cent per year in case of the field crops. Horticulture is definitely a growth driver
with a possibility to grow at 7 to 8 per cent per year. Fruit crops like cashew nut,
banana, coconut and pomegranate etc have a good scope for area expansion. The
demand for vegetables is increasing and higher prices can attract more farmers to
make investments in vegetable cultivation. With the government willing to subsidize
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the supply of hybrid seeds, farmers can easily increase the yields of vegetable crops
by 30 to 40 per cent. The growing demand for flowers may attract more farmers
towards it to realize higher profits. Organic farming is becoming popular, particularly
in case of turmeric and ginger in the tribal areas. Besides horticulture, aqua culture
can continue to be a good growth sector. With virtually no demand constraint for fish
and prawns, there is a good scope for increasing the area under ponds as well as to
increase their productivity. By stocking the reservoirs like Thotapalli reservoir with
adequate fish seed, the fish production can be increased at a fast pace. It should not
be difficult to achieve more than 6 per cent growth in fisheries sector. Animal
husbandry has made rapid strides in the recent years and it has still got a potential to
remain a good growth sector because of constantly increasing demand for milk,
meat and eggs. It can achieve a growth rate exceeding 7 per cent per year.
Sericulture has a limited base but the farmers who have taken it up are realizing
good returns. The expansion of area under high yielding varieties of mulberry and
use of advance equipment for rearing can accelerate the growth rate in this sector.
Due to low base, it should not be difficult to achieve a growth rate of more than 10
per cent per year in sericulture sector, if the infrastructure is strengthened to supply
DFLs in adequate number. The dry land areas are buzzing with the activity of farm
forestry with the government support, Eucalyptus clones, Subabool and casurina are
becoming popular with the efforts of nurseries and paper product companies which
are ready to buy the produce of farm forestry. Each one of these sub-sectors of
agriculture can grow at growth rates ranging between 5 to 10 per cent per year if the
necessary interventions are supported to reduce the yield gaps in all the farming
situations. Rural industries are also important growth sectors with the scope for
processing and cold chains being brighter. Many small scale industries can come up
in the district because of the existence of a pool of entrepreneurs with sufficient
resources. In a booming economy like India, a growing district like Srikakulum is all
set to grow fast to meet the aspirations of the people.
6.3 Innovative schemes
The schemes to improve the organic matter content in the soil and productivity of
crops are quite innovative. Although they involve substantial investments, the
schemes of green manuring and gypsum application in the irrigated areas of the
district are helpful both in the reclamation of the soils as well as in improving the
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organic matter content in the soils along with the availability of both the macro as
well as the micro nutrients.
Similarly, the schemes to produce quality seeds through seed village production
program are also quite innovative. For the first time, a logical link and sequence is
established between the production and supply of nucleus, breeder, foundation and
certified types of crop seeds in the district. Dependence on seed produced in other
districts was causing serious bottlenecks in the supply of seed to the farmers on
time. The massive program of seed production will remove this bottleneck and will
contribute significantly to the producitivity of crop.
Farm mechanization is another innovative scheme. Many farmers migrate seasonally
to the urban centers like Srikakulam. It has created acute labor scarcity in the rural
areas. The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act has been instrumental in
improving the purchasing power of the working class, but has also exerted an
upward pressure on the wages. Under these circumstances, mechanization has
become inevitable. Helping the farmers through subsidies in accessing the farm
machinery and equipment is quite an innovative scheme. Farmers can improve
precision and minimize losses due to farm mechanization.
The proposal to take up plantations in marginal lands is another innovative scheme.
These trees can yield timber, bio-fuel or pulp. The trials on the research stations
have vindicated their economic viability on less fertile lands. Some of these marginal
lands are unable to yield viable crop yields and, in that sense, does not involve much
sacrifice and opportunity cost. With the oil prices soaring in the international market,
this tree crop holds enormous opportunities for earning profits.
The scheme of model farmers is the most innovative scheme to bridge the extension
gap effectively. Even with some increase in the extension manpower, it is literally not
possible to reach all the farmers and transfer the technologies to them. Farmers also
need someone locally to whom they can look at as a friend and guide. These model
farmers will have opportunities to imbibe the latest technologies from the scientists
and extension workers. They can effectively transmit the information to other
farmers. Since they are provided with some honorarium to cover their expenses,
they can serve as an effective link between extension officers and farmers.
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Drip irrigation is another innovative scheme to improve water use efficiency in a
water scarce environment. Its potential was not capitalized in the district. The
present scheme of using drip sets in the cultivation of vegetables and fruits are quite
an innovative and profitable investment. In oilseed and pulse crops, there is a good
scope for sprinkler irrigation to obtain maximum returns per unit of water.
Scheme to expand area under mango and cashew is another innovative method of
developing horticulture in the district. Both these fruit crops are drought resistant and
are quite efficient in production under water scarce conditions.
Supply of hybrid seeds of vegetables is another innovative scheme. The productivity
of vegetables can be increased easily by 20 to 50% by adopting hybrid varities of
vegetables. The yields of vegetables are quite low in the district and with the new
initiative; they are likely to go up. It will improve the economic viability of vegetable
cultivation in the district.
Induction of milch animals and heifer calves is quite an innovative scheme. It is being
tried on a substantive scale. The productivity of local milch animals is quite low and
their response to good feed and fodder management is not economical. By inducting
milch animals with higher potential, there is a scope to achieve a break through in
milk production in the district. While the induction of milch animals will contribute to
increase in milk production immediately, the induction of heifer calves will ensure the
increase in milk production in the future. Better health care and insurance coverage
will complete the package to increase profits and to cover risks. Since the animals
are being supplied on 50% subsidy by tying them up with bank loans for the
remaining amount, insurance coverage is automatically there.
Provision of bulk milk cooling centers at five locations in the district is another
innovative scheme. The induction of milch animals is likely to create surpluses in
milk production, which need to be procured and stored under hygienic conditions.
Availability of milk cooling centers will reduce the chances of spoilage of milk and
helps in processing it locally.
Establishing fish markets at important locations in the district and opening retail
outlets will help the fishermen and farmers to get better prices for their produce.
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Certainly, creation of markets will increase the demand for fish and will reduce the
losses and transaction costs. Both the producers and consumers will benefit from
this initiative.
Although, the support to sericulture is quite limited under RKVY, the catalytic
development scheme being implemented by the department is quite an innovative
scheme. It is contributing to the development of the sericulture both on the farm and
non-farm sectors. Some of the farmers proudly declare that their cocoons are
fetching the highest price in the markets of adjoining Karnataka.
The program of Jalayagnam has raised the hopes of the farmers about agriculture.
Expansion of surface irrigation will contribute to the increase in ground water. It will
help in the conjunctive use of both surface and ground water. This program will make
a substantial difference to farming in the district.
Marketing is the essence of agriculture. Realization of a remunerative price and
cutting down the marketing costs are important to keep the interests of both the
producers and consumers safe from the exploitation by middlemen. Creation of more
marketing infrastructure will cut down the costs of transportation and the time
needed for marketing. The massive program for expansion of marketing
infrastructure will help in farmers realizing better prices for their produce.
Strengthening of rural credit will facilitate the adoption of new technologies. The
recent loan waiver has reduced the debt burden of the farmers. They can start from
a clean slate and obtain fresh loans both for crop production and development. This
substantial expansion of credit targets for the next five years will reduce the depence
of farmers on non-institutional sources of credit at high and usurious rates of interest.
6.4 Vision of the XI plan Obviously the vision of XI plan is to accelerate rate of growth in agricultural sector. It
was noted that the growth rates in agriculture have always lagged behind those in
non-agricultural sectors. But the gap between them has certainly widened after the
introduction of new economic policies in the early 90’s of twentieth century. The
investment in agriculture has declined. The public investment declined because of
the imperative need to keep down the fiscal deficit and the need to increase the input
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subsidies. The output prices have lagged behind the growth in input prices and
wages. It has caused a reduction in the rate of return on the investments in
agriculture. Due to this reason, the private investment also stagnated. There were
signs of growing indebtedness among the farmers, which has erupted in to suicides
by some farmers in the partially rainfed districts like Srikakulam. Suddenly, it was
discovered that agriculture is in crisis.
With fast rate of growth in the economy, other sectors of economy were blooming
and agriculture was diagnosed as the only sector lagging behind and needing
immediate attention. While the economy is growing at nine per cent, the growth in
agriculture sector oscillated between –3 to +5 percent, with the medium term growth
recording less than two per cent. The national commission on farmers headed by
Dr.M.S Swaminathan has dissected the sickness of agriculture and called for an
immediate increase in the investments on agriculture to stimulate growth in it. The
RKVY is a response and reflection to the report prepared by the commission led by
Dr.M.S Swaminathan.
It was found that the share of agriculture in the national GDP is rapidly declining in
the last decade. For a long time, the government of India was targeting a 4% growth
in the agricultural sector. But it consistently faltered by ending up around two per
cent. The Vision 2020 document prepared by government of Andhra Pradesh nearly
a decade ago has aimed even at 6% growth in the agricultural sector of the state.
But these wishful dreams and schemes were not backed by necessary investments
and policies. The farmers in the state have lost hope in farming due to rising costs,
stagnant output prices and widening gaps between agricultural and non-agricultural
sectors. Many young farmers find it difficult to get a bride and farming has become a
loosing and dis-respectful profession.
In this backdrop, the RKVY has come as a beacon of light. The state government
has advised the agricultural and allied departments to think it big and plan for
substantial investments in these sectors. There is also a determination on the part of
young farmers in the villages to voice their aspirations for growth and equity. The
project teams, which studied the constraints faced by agriculture quite in-depth, have
highlighted the problems of diminishing organic matter content and declining water
table. It is no more an easy solution to raise productivity by applying more fertilizer.
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Infact, the response to fertilizer has come down from about 20 kg per kg of N-P-K to
about 8 kg. The long neglect of agriculture has made it necessary to invest more for
solving both the long term and short-term problems of agriculture.
The combined vision of the farmers and planners has resulted in the preparation of
ambitious and innovative schemes for the development of agriculture. It is significant
that the district plan for Anantapur district has come out with such investment needs,
which cannot be met by the existing budgets of the department and what RKVY can
offer through project funding. More resources are needed through other schemes to
make that one big investment effort needed to accelerate the growth in agricultural
sector. The vision of XI plan cannot be fully understood by looking at the numbers of
physical targets and financial investments projected, but it should be seen as a
document that reflects the aspirations and hope of the farmers. Besides growth, it
also seeks to re-assert the honor and pride of farming profession.
6.5 District plan The total investments proposed for implementing the interventions in different
subsectors of agriculture are summarized in table below:
Table: Investments for development of agriculture and allied enterprises
S.No. Sector Investment (Rs.in lakh)1. Agriculture 8073.002. Horticulture 1460.503. Sericultue 106.804. Animal husbandry 4235.145. Fisheries 657.006. Marketing 5890.757. SERP 797.68
Total 21220.87The total investment required for the development of agriculture and allied
enterprises in Srikakulam district during XI plan period is estimated at Rs.21220.87
lakh. Agriculture accounts for about 38% of the total investment. Animal husbandry
accounted for 20% of the total investment. Horticulture sector received about 6.9% of
the total investment. Marketing activities got a share of 27.8% in the total investment.
Fisheries got an allocation of 3.1%, while sericulture received only 0.5% of the total
investment. SERP got a substantial allocation of 3.8% of the total investment.
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OutcomesThe outcomes expected from different subsectors of agriculture as a result of the
investments that will be made are furnished in table below:
Table: Anticipated growth rates in different subsectors of agriculturre(In per cent)
S.No. Sector 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 Average1. Agriculure 3.8 3.9 4.0 4.1 4.2 42. Horticulutre 6.0 6.25 6.5 6.75 7.0 6.53. Sericulture 11.5 12.0 12.5 13.0 13.5 12.54. Animal
husbandry8.8 9.0 9.2 9.4 9.6 9.2
5. Fisheries 4.8 5.0 5.2 5.4 5.6 5.2Average 5.6 6.0 6.4 6.8 7.2 6.4
The total agricultural sector is expected to grow at an average rate of 6.4% per year
during the XI plan period. The highest growth rate of 12.5% per year is expected to
result in sericulture sector. Animal husbandry sector is projected to grow at the rate
of 9.2% per year during the XI plan period. Horticulture sector is expected to grow at
the rate of 6.5% per year. Fisheries sector is targeted to grow at the rate of 5.2% per
year. The slowest growth rate of 4.0% per year is expected to occur in case of crop
sector. Over the plan period, the growth rate is expected to accelearate, starting from
5.6% in 2007-08, and going up to 7.2% in 2011-12.
Monitoring mechanism proposedA sound Monitoring Information System has to be developed based on sectoral
interventions and expected outputs to review and track the progress. A baseline data
like income of the different categories of the farmers, yield of different crops, sectoral
growth rates etc. may be generated to measure the quantitative and qualitative
changes resulting of the proposed interventions. Quarterly review meetings
becomes a part of monitoring system over and above the reports received, registers
maintained, field visits by concerned personnel. Based on the mid-term evaluation by
the external agency, the change of the targets and inter-sectoral adjustments will be
made.
Social audit about the funds available and utilized under major schemes, periodical
physical progress and highlighting deviations and deficiencies is proposed to carried
out at gram Panchayat level. The proposed social audit facilitates publicity on status
of the implementation and maintains transparency.
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List of Appendix tables
1. Reclamation of problematic soils
2. Gypsum application to ground nut crop
3. Supply of green manure seed to rice growers
4. Application of Zinc sulphate to rice, pulses and oilseeds
5. Supply of sprinklers
6. Crop diversification through Sima rouba plantations
7. Establishment of new fruit gardens
8. Rejuvenation of old gardens
9. Drip irrigation for horticultural crops
10.Sericulture project with all components
11.Fisheries project with all components
12.Foot and mouth vaccination program
13.Calf induction program
14.Health care to sheep and goats and training to shepards
15.Perennial fodder production including Chaff cutter supply
16. Induction of high yielding milch animals
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