Rayagada: District-level Kharif Crop Planning Committee meeting conducted

By Chandrabhanu Singh

Rayagada, Aug. 6 The district-level Kharif Crop Planning Committee meeting for the agricultural year 2025 was conducted on 4 August at the Zilla Parishad Sadbhavana Conference Hall in Rayagada. The meeting was chaired by the District Collector, Mr Ashutosh Kulkarni (IAS), and witnessed the participation of key officials from the agriculture, irrigation, and banking sectors.

During the meeting, the Acting Chief District Agriculture Officer delivered a detailed presentation on Rayagada’s agricultural scenario through a PowerPoint presentation. The Collector attentively reviewed the data and interacted with officials, posing insightful questions on various aspects such as suitable crop types, farmer preferences, profitability of different crops, demand for farm machinery, irrigation facilities, seed and fertiliser availability, and overall input planning.

The primary focus of the planning session was to increase foodgrain production while ensuring its sustainability. Special emphasis was placed on the cultivation of oilseeds, pulses, and cotton, alongside the adoption of micro and river-lift irrigation systems. The meeting also underscored the importance of timely supply of quality seeds and fertilisers, mechanisation of agriculture, and effective use of government schemes.

Key strategies highlighted included the promotion of new agricultural technologies through farmer training, mini-kit demonstrations, and exposure visits. The district aims to create irrigation potential by operationalising river-lift projects and implementing micro-irrigation systems. The use of organic farming techniques—such as green manure, vermicompost, and bio-fertilisers—was encouraged to maintain soil health. Additionally, farmers will be provided with soil health cards and guided to adopt balanced fertiliser application based on soil test recommendations.

Efforts will also be made to promote the use of green manure crops such as dhaincha and sunhemp under state-sponsored schemes to improve soil fertility. Transplantation methods will be encouraged in millet farming. Integrated pest management strategies will be adopted, and more farmers will be covered under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) to protect them from crop losses. Further, agricultural mechanisation will be promoted to reduce physical labour and enhance efficiency.

For the Kharif 2025 season, Rayagada district has set a target to cultivate crops across 1,81,485 hectares of land. Of this, paddy cultivation—including both hybrid and traditional varieties—will cover 43,201 hectares. Other key crop targets include 16,519 hectares for maize, 18,902 hectares for ragi (mandia), 1,300 hectares for jowar, 300 hectares for bajra, and 577 hectares for little millet. Additionally, pulses such as moong (802 ha), biri (949 ha), and arhar (1,415 ha) will be cultivated.

Oilseed cultivation (groundnut, sesame, sunflower, etc.) has been targeted across 684 hectares, while fibre crops including cotton will cover 1,643 hectares. Green fodder cultivation will be taken up in 1,129 hectares, and spice crops will be grown in 3,330 hectares.

The meeting was attended by agricultural officers, irrigation department staff, and representatives from various banks, all of whom contributed to shaping a strategic and inclusive Kharif plan for the district.