Basket of Projects for various Agro-Climatic Zones of Odisha

141 Pages·2014·2.38 MB·English

Panchayati Raj Department, Govt. Of Odisha

Basket of Projects for various Agro-Climatic Zones of Odisha

February 2014

Prepared by

A Govt. of Odisha and DFID UK initiative
Basket of Projects for various Agro-Climatic Zones of Odisha
Table of Contents
Executive Summary .................................................................................................................... 1
MGNREGA in Odisha ............................................................................................................... 1

Chapter 1. Introduction & Background ................................................................................... 6
1.1. Background ................................................................................................................. 6
1.2. Climate of Odisha ........................................................................................................ 7
1.3. Topography of Odisha .................................................................................................. 7
1.3.1. The Coastal Plains .................................................................................................. 7
1.3.2. The Middle Mountainous and Highlands Region ..................................................... 8
1.3.3. The Central Plateaus .............................................................................................. 8
1.3.4. The Western Rolling Uplands ................................................................................. 8
1.3.5. The Physiographic Divisions of Odisha .................................................................... 9
1.4. Major Challenges of the State ...................................................................................... 9
1.5. The Challenges of Diversity in Odisha ......................................................................... 10
1.6. Overview of MGNREGS .............................................................................................. 10

Chapter 2. Scope of MGNREGS in Odisha .............................................................................. 12
2.1. Salient Features of Odisha .......................................................................................... 12
2.2. Land Use Classification in Lakh Hectares ..................................................................... 12
2.3. Cultivated Land Types ................................................................................................ 13
2.4. Irrigation Potentials (A) .............................................................................................. 13
2.5. Irrigation Potentials (B) .............................................................................................. 14
2.6. Extent of Rain-Fed area & Potential for MGNREGS ...................................................... 14
2.7. Potential for Watershed Initiatives under MGNREGS .................................................. 15

Chapter 3. Introduction to Agro-Climatic Zones & Scope of MGNREGS .................................. 16
3.1. Agro-Climatic Zones of Odisha .................................................................................... 16
3.2. Characteristics of various Agro-Climatic Zones of Odisha ............................................. 16
3.3. Areal Distribution of various Agro-Climatic Zones ....................................................... 18
3.4. Distribution of Agro-Climatic Zones in various Topographic Regions ............................ 18
3.5. Two Broad Divisions based on Agro-Climatic Zones & Feasibility of MGNREGS ............ 19
3.6. The Opportunity in Highland Area .............................................................................. 19
3.6.1. Huge Labour Force ............................................................................................... 19
3.6.2. Massive Waste Land ............................................................................................ 20
3.6.3. Untapped Runoff and Ground Water .................................................................... 20
3.7. Basket of Projects for Highland & Coastal Regions ...................................................... 20
3.7.1. Suitable Basket of Projects Proposed for Highland Region .................................... 20
3.7.2. Suitable Basket of Projects Proposed for Coastal/Lowland Region ........................ 21
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3.8. List of projects suitable for Highland Region ............................................................... 22
3.9. List of projects suitable for Coastal Region .................................................................. 23
3.10. Administrative Divisions & Scope of MGNREGS in various Agro-Climatic Zones ............ 25
3.11. Scope of MGNREGS across Sub-Divisions & Community Development Blocks .............. 28
3.12. Abstract of the Scope of MGNREGS in Odisha ............................................................. 35

Chapter 4. Basket of Projects for various Agro-Climatic Zones............................................... 36
4.1. Basket of Projects Suitable for various Agro-Climatic Zones Based on the New
Permissible Guidelines ............................................................................................... 36
4.2. Projects Suitable for All Agro-Climatic Zones ............................................................... 38
4.3. Potential vs. Performance of MGNREGS in Odisha ...................................................... 40
4.4. District Specific Basket of Projects on Priority Basis ..................................................... 42
4.5. Agro-Climatic Based Classification (ACZ_ of Projects on Priority Basis .......................... 59
4.6. Basis of Prioritising Districts Suitable for MGNREGS & Performance vs. Potential ........ 64
4.7. Availability of Area (In ‘000’ Hectares) for Community Projects under MGNREGS ........ 69
4.8. District wise Availability of Wastelands (in Hectares) for Community Projects under
MGNREGS .................................................................................................................. 71

Annexure: Block wise Feasible Projects under MGNREGS ........................................................... 73

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Basket of Projects for various Agro-Climatic Zones of Odisha
Executive Summary
1. The report on “Basket of Project for various agro-climatic zones of Odisha” is a ready
reckoner for the District and Block Administration to identify the projects to be taken
up under MGNREGS. These projects have been classified based on the ten agro-
climatic zones of Odisha and the New Operational Guidelines issued under MGNREGA
in February 2013.
2. Odisha with a complex profile of rich natural resource and low socio-economic profile
presents a potential territory for implementation of MGNREGS. The State has 85% of
its population living in rural areas, majorly dependent on agriculture and allied
activities for their livelihood and 60% of its rural population living below the poverty
line. In this context, Odisha, owing to its poverty, backwardness, high concentration of
SC, ST & BPL population and abundant Natural Resource base, makes the scope of
MGNREGS High in Odisha.
MGNREGA in Odisha
3. The MGNREGA is being implemented in all 30 districts of the state. It guarantees 100
days of unskilled jobs per rural household and 150 days in Migration prone areas of
Balangir and Nuapada districts. More importantly, the Act aims at eradication of
extreme poverty and making villages self-sustaining through productive assets
creation in line with Natural Resources Management.
4. More than 50 % of cultivated areas are Rain-fed in 60 % of the districts of the state.
Eighteen districts of the state namely Dhenkanal, Gajapati, Nayagarh, Bargarh , Angul,
Kalahandi, Koraput, Keonjhar, Nabarangpur, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Rayagada, Bolangir,
Nuapada, Kandhamal, Jharsuguda, Sundargarh & Mayurbhanj having more than 60 %
Rain-fed area are primarily potential areas for implementation of MGNREGS.
5. Out of the total area, the area designated under Barren/Uncultivable, mostly Govt.
Lands are primarily suitable for MGNREGS, which accounts for about 8.40 lakh
hectares i.e., 6 % of the total Geographical area of the State. Apart from that, areas
indicated under Current Fallow and Cultivable Waste (about 5.5 %) could be taken
under MGNREGS. In addition, works in individual Lands not suitable for Agriculture
may be taken up under MGNREGS.
6. Out of the cultivated area, about 8 lakh ha of un-irrigated high lands situated in 18
districts can be covered under Land Development for growing pulses (Green gram,
Black gram, and Arhar), oilseeds (groundnut, sesame) & seasonal vegetables by
substituting upland paddy. About 20 lakh ha needs treatment for soil and water
conservation following the principles of Integrated Watershed Development.
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Basket of Projects for various Agro-Climatic Zones of Odisha

7. About 74% of the potential created under Irrigation is utilized. In Odisha, overall 36 %
of the gross cultivated area is irrigated against the national average of 45 %. The State
intends to provide irrigation to at least 35% of the cultivated area in each of the 314
Blocks. There is a need of enhancing irrigation facility particularly through water
harvesting structures in interior districts. Efforts need be made for enhancing
utilization of potential already created. Enhancement of water
productivity/conservation should be the focus under MGNREGS in Rain-fed Area.
8. On the basis of homogeneity, continuity and physiographical characteristics, Odisha
has been broadly divided into four major topographical regions: the coastal plain in
the east, the middle mountainous and highlands region in the central part, the central
plateaus and the western rolling uplands in the west. Further, Odisha has been divided
into 10 Agro-Climatic Zones based on the basis of soil structure, humidity, elevation,
topography, vegetation, rainfall and other Agro- Climatic factors. The state can be
broadly divided into two Agro-Climatic zones (ACZ), i.e. Coastal Region and Highland
Region.
9. Agro- Climatic Zones 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 & 10 comprising about 80 % of the area of
Odisha are known as Highland regions where as ACZ- 3 & 4 are considered as
Lowland/Coastal regions. As high as 21 Districts fall under Highland region and the
remaining 9 Districts fall under Lowland region. Though Baragarh, Sambalpur &
Sonepur fall in ACZ-9, the potential for MGNREGS is comparatively less in these three
districts due to high irrigation potential. Similarly, districts such as Angul, Dhenkanal
and Jharsuguda have high concentration of industries, which somewhat restricts it to
be potential under MGNREGS.
10. The scope of MGNREGS in Highland region is High to very High as there is huge labour
force having hard working and physically able-bodied persons are available for
creation of various productive assets. Therefore, this huge mass can be utilised for
various labour intensive works in the local area to build productive assets for water
conservation, land management, plantation and horticulture in addition to creation of
community infrastructures under MGNREGS. This in return will enhance livelihood
options for the rural poor and with time gradually reduce rural poverty and arrest
distress migration to a great extent.
11. Both cultivable & uncultivable wastelands are available in potential districts, which is
about 7.5 % of the total geographical area of the state. This wasteland with the help of
land and water conservation measures can be turned into productive assets for
livelihood of the distressed community. Hence efforts are required to initiate Agri-
Horti-Pisiculture practices along with Micro-Watershed projects through massive
labour intensive operations to transform the available huge wasteland into productive
territories. Community based work for water conservation and land development for
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Basket of Projects for various Agro-Climatic Zones of Odisha
making the land suitable for Agriculture and Vegetable Cultivation is the need of the
hour in these types of lands. This will immensely help the burgeoning landless and BPL
families immensely to enhance their livelihood options. In addition to that,
Horticulture development and Plantation of timber and fuel-wood species in land not
suitable for Agriculture can be taken up.
12. Scope of MGNREGS is Moderate in ACZ- 3 & 4 of Lowland region as most of the
Workforce is engaged in Agriculture & Availability of Common Property Resource (CPR)
is less. Hence, there is enough scope for works under Agriculture & Allied Activities to
enhance Productivity and Flood Control through MGNREGS. A part of the low land
(about 10%) can be converted to pond based Integrated Farming System situated in 8
Coastal districts. In coastal districts the untapped ground water potential (82%) can be
exploited through Dug-well under MGNREGA. Recharging groundwater also needs
attention.
13. About 60 % of the districts are potential out of which 33 % districts have very high
potential for implementing MGNREGS in Odisha. As regards to potentiality of Sub-
Divisions & Blocks, 69 % Sub-Divisions are highly potential where as 67 % Blocks are
potential for MGNREGS implementation in the state.
14. There are 10 districts in the state that fall under very high potential category. These
districts are Balangir, Gajapati, Kandhamal, Keonjhar, Koraput, Mayurbhanj,
Nabarangpur, Nuapada, Rayagada and Sundargarh. Similarly, the districts which have
high potential include Angul, Boudh, Deogarh, Dhenkanal, Ganjam, Kalahandi,
Malkangiri and Sambalpur. The remaining 12 districts namely Balasore, Bargarh,
Bhadrak, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Jajpur, Jharsuguda, Kendrapara, Khurda, Nayagarh,
Puri and Sonepur are moderately potential as regards to MGNREGS.
15. Suitable Basket of Projects Proposed for Highland Region on priority basis is as follows.
 Water Conservation & Water Harvesting
 Micro Watershed Development
 Horticulture & Plantation in Community and Individual Land
 Land Development on Community and Individual Land
 Common Infrastructures based Projects
 Agriculture related Works
16. Suitable Basket of Projects Proposed for Lowland Region based on the priority is as
follows.
 Irrigation Canal Development
 Flood Control including Strengthening Embankments
 Agriculture related Works
 Fisheries related Work including Fish Drying Yards
 Road & Canal side Plantation including Mangrove Plantation
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 Common Infrastructure based Activities
17. The gap between Potential and Performance of MGNREGS varies from district to
district. However, this gap is high in the districts such as Rayagada, Malkangiri,
Gajapati, Angul, Dhenkanal, Malkangiri, Kalahandi, Sambalpur, Deogarh and
Nabarangpur. Therefore, these ten districts need special attention.
18. There are 10 districts in the state that fall under very high potential category. These
districts are Balangir, Gajapati, Kandhamal, Keonjhar, Koraput, Mayurbhanj,
Nabarangpur, Nuapada, Rayagada and Sundargarh. Similarly, the districts which have
high potential include Angul, Boudh, Deogarh, Dhenkanal, Ganjam, Kalahandi,
Malkangiri and Sambalpur. The remaining 12 districts namely Balasore, Bargarh,
Bhadrak, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Jajpur, Jharsuguda, Kendrapara, Khurda, Nayagarh,
Puri and Sonepur are moderately potential as regards to MGNREGS.
19. Suitable Basket of Projects Proposed for Highland Region on priority basis is as follows.
 Water Conservation & Water Harvesting that includes Renovation of Existing
and Creation of Community Tank, Creation of Farm Ponds on Individual Lands,
Dug out Wells on Individual Farm Land, Diversion Weir & Check Dam
Construction etc. (15 %).
 Integrated Watershed (Micro Watershed) Development in the light of Soil-
Moisture Conservation Approach with the help of Suitable Treatment Measures
consisting of both Vegetative and Mechanical Measures including Contour
Techniques and Gully Control Measures (15 %).
 Horticulture & Plantation in Community and Individual Land not Suitable for
Agriculture such as Nursery Raising, Plantation in Degraded Forests and
Horticulture Plantation in Community & Individual Lands (15 %).
 Land Development on Community and Individual Land for Productive Use such
as Land Levelling & Field Bunding in Individual lands and Development of
Wastelands etc.(10 %).
 Rural Infrastructures Based Works such as Development of Rural & Forest
Roads, Construction of Anganwadi Buildings, Panchayat Buildings, Playground,
Rice Drying/ NTFP Platforms, Animal Sheds and Maintenance of Community
Assets created under MGNREGS etc. (20 %).
 Agriculture Related Works such as Promoting Bio-Fertilisers, Promotion of Bio-
Intensive Garden (Kitchen Garden), Integrated Farming System and Vermi-
Composting in Irrigated Pockets (10 %).
 Individual Assets for Vulnerable Sections such as Improvement of Land
Productivity, Improvement of Livelihoods, Development of Waste Lands,
Promotion of Livestock, Promotion of Fisheries and Unskilled Wage Component
in Construction of IAY Houses (15 %).
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Basket of Projects for various Agro-Climatic Zones of Odisha
20. Suitable Basket of Projects Proposed for Coastal/Lowland Region based on the priority
is as follows.
 Irrigation Canal Development including Canal Renovation, Turfing, Stone Packing and
Maintenance of Structures (15 %).
 Flood Control Measures including Strengthening Embankments with the help of
Mechanical & Vegetative Measures, Renovation of Existing Flood Control
Channels, Construction of Storm-water Drains in Coastal Areas and Maintenance
of existing Structures (15 %).
 Agriculture Related Works such as Promoting Bio-Fertilisers, Promotion of Bio-
Intensive Garden (Kitchen Garden), Integrated Farming System and Vermi-
Composting in Irrigated Pockets. (15 %)
 Fisheries Related Work such as Construction & Renovation of Ponds including
Fish Drying Yards in Coastal Areas (10 %)
 Road & Canal side Plantation such as Avenue Plantation that includes Mangrove
Plantation along the Coast line (10 %)
 Rural Infrastructure Based Works such as Roads, Construction of Buildings,
Flood/Cyclone Shelters, Playground, Drying Platforms, Animal Shelters and
Maintenance of Community Assets (20 %)
 Individual Assets for Vulnerable Sections such as Improvement of Land
Productivity, Improvement of Livelihoods, Development of Waste Lands,
Promotion of Livestock, Promotion of Fisheries and Unskilled Wage Component
in Construction of IAY Houses (15 %).
21. The Gap between Potential and Performance of MGNREGS varies from district to
district. However, this gap is high in the districts such as Rayagada, Malkangiri,
Gajapati, Angul, Dhenkanal,
Malkangiri, Kalahandi,
Sambalpur, Deogarh and
Nabarangpur. Therefore,
these ten potential districts
need special attention to
enhance the off-take as
there is huge scope for
achieving more success in
MGNREGS.

Figure 1: Potential of MGNREGS in Odisha

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Basket of Projects for various Agro-Climatic Zones of Odisha
Chapter 1. Introduction & Background
1.1. Background
The State of Odisha is
located between the
parallels of 17.49’N and
22.34’N latitudes and
meridians of 81.27’E and
87.29’E longitudes. It is
bounded by the Bay of
Bengal on the east; Madhya
Pradesh on the west and
Andhra Pradesh on the
south. It has a coast line of
about 450 kilometres. It
extends over an area of
155,707 square kilometres
accounting for about 4.87% of the total area of India. Odisha is the eleventh most
populous state in India as per the 2011 Census with about 42 million people contributing 3.47
% to the total population of India. Over the last decade, the state has witnessed a 14 % growth
in its population. Most of this population is concentrated in the rural areas with the urban
population constituting only 17 %. According to the Planning Commission’s Tendulkar
Committee Report- 2009, the poverty headcount ratio of Odisha at 57.2 % is the worst among
all Indian states and way above the national average of 37.2 %. If factors beyond income are
considered, then about 63.2 % of the people in Odisha live below the poverty line. Rural
poverty, at 60.8 %, is also significantly higher than the urban poverty, which is 37.6 %, and the
worst in India. Further, the extent of poverty is not evenly distributed in all the regions and
among all social groups of Odisha. The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes of the state
also have a high incidence of poverty as compared to the SCs and STs in the country as a
whole.
The performance of the state in terms of literacy remains a point of concern. Although the
literacy rate of Odisha (73.45 %) is only slightly lower than the national average (74.04 %), the
gap between male and female literacy, at 82 and 64 % respectively, is huge. According to the
Odisha Human Development Report, although public expenditure on education has been
rising in nominal terms, the real increase has been very limited. Administratively, Odisha is
divided into 30 Districts comprising of 58 Sub- Divisions, 314 Blocks and 316 Tehasils. There
are 51,349 Revenue Villages spread over 6,232 Grampanchayats (GP) under 314 Community
Development Blocks in the State.

Out of the total rural poor families in Odisha, 87.36% families are agricultural labour, marginal
and small farmers. Since only 35% of the cultivated area of 6.4 million hectares in the state
has irrigation facilities, Agriculture in Odisha is mainly rain-fed and also the rivers are not
perennial, they receive their runoff mainly from the monsoon rainfall.
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1.2. Climate of Odisha
The climate of Odisha, an East Indian state that hugs the coast of the Bay of Bengal is
represented by tropical monsoon weather. Searing hot summers with considerably high
monsoon downpours and cool and pleasant winters mark the Odisha climate.
The climate of Odisha is distinctly related to the geography of Odisha. The weather of Odisha
can be classified under three heads namely, summer, monsoon and winter. The state is also
endowed with relatively short stints of the refreshing spring and the mellow autumn.
The scorching heat of the Odisha summer makes the mercury soars to unbearable heights.
However, Monsoon soon creeps in to offer a welcome break. During monsoon, the
cumulonimbus clouds unfold with driving rains that wash the terrains and unfold a rich blue
sky. By early June, the southwest monsoon announces its arrival in the state and departs by
the middle of October. Rainfall is the main source of water in Odisha that varies from 1200
millimetres to 1700 millimetres across the state. The average rainfall in Odisha is measured as
1482 millimetres. Odisha receives about 78% of rainfall between the months of June and
September. Odisha receives the remaining 22% of the rainfall throughout the year. The rains
also play a pivotal role in agriculture, the principal source of livelihood of the populace of
Odisha.
As regards to implementation of MGNREGS is concerned, Summer season is preferred most for
taking up various projects as Agricultural works ceases during that period. Winter season
comes next on priority due to mild weather condition, which is conducive for earth work. Rainy
Season is least preferred for MGNREGS works as major workforce of the state are engaged in
Agricultural Works during that period. It is also due to the fact that earth work cannot be
measured during the rainy season.
1.3. Topography of Odisha
On the basis of homogeneity, continuity and physiographical characteristics, Odisha has been
broadly divided into four major topographical regions: the coastal plain in the east, the
middle mountainous and highlands region in the central part, the central plateaus and the
western rolling uplands in the west.
1.3.1. The Coastal Plains
Odisha being a coastal state is also subjected to the strong cyclonic gales and winds that hail
from the Bay of Bengal. Consequently, voluminous rains drench the coastal terrains every
year during the peak months of July-August followed by another spell in October-November.
Winters are pleasant and more or less dry, save a little rainfall of about 2.5 cm to 5 cm in the
northern fringes of Odisha. In recent years, the Rainfall in Odisha has been erratic.
The Odisha Coastal Plains are the depositional landforms of recent origin and geologically
belong to the Post-Tertiary Period. The 75 metre contour line delimits their western boundary
and differentiates them from the Middle Mountainous Region. This region stretches from the
West Bengal border, i.e. from the River Subarnarekha in the north to the River Rushikulya in
the south. This region is the combination of several deltas of varied sizes and shapes formed
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