Increasing Productivity

INCREASING PRODUCTIVITY AND INCOME FOR FARMERS IN RICE-BASED CROPPING SYSTEMS IN ODISHA

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Creators: Deepti Saksena, Dr. Ranjitha Puskur, and Dr. Mukund Variar Photo credits: IRRI-Odisha project team, associates, and partners Mailing address: Odisha Project Office: 340/C. Sahidnagar, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India Telephone: 0674-2584949

This publication was made possible with the support of the Government of Odisha and the International Rice Research Institute

IRRI-India Office: 1st floor, Office Block, NASC Complex, DPS Marg, Pusa New Delhi 110012, India Telephone: +91-11-66763000.

Headquarters: PO BOX 34499, UPLB Post Office, Los Banos, Laguna 4031, Philippines Telephone: +63 2 8580-5600 Fax: +63 2 580-5699 Email: info@irri.org Website: irri.org

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FOREWORD We are pleased to present this coffee table book developed based on key learning and evidence generated under the project Increasing Productivity of Rice-based Cropping Systems and Farmers’ Income in Odisha supported by the DAFE, Odisha and implemented from 20162021. This visual creation comprises a collection of photographs based on the key approaches and technologies validated in the project to address some of the challenges confronted by Odisha farmers in rice-based cropping systems.

It is not fully misplaced to say that Odisha’s economy is driven by agriculture and particularly rice-based systems. Millions of farmers depend on these systems for livelihoods, food, and nutrition security.

This book presents glimpses of new technologies and approaches that IRRI developed, introduced, and tested to address these challenges.

Ranjitha Puskur Principal Investigator, Odisha Project IRRI Country Representative - India International Rice Research Institute

FOREWORD

In our rapidly changing climatic and economic environments, the use of advanced technologies including ICT-based tools and new institutional innovations are critical to enhancing the resilience of the agriculture sector. This coffee table book is a befitting visual representation of some technologies and innovations that IRRI has embedded in rice-based systems to enhance the production and income of smallholder and marginal farmers in Odisha.

Odisha is also a state prone to severe and frequent climatic shocks and stresses like floods and drought. In addition, challenges in accessing quality and affordable seeds at the right time and place; inadequate access to technologies, information and new knowledge to address farming and market-related challenges and; structural barriers in promoting farmer entrepreneurship, particularly women impede farmers’ efforts to enhance productivity and incomes.

As you leaf through the pages, you may feel a sense of optimism from the dedicated efforts that provide context-specific, smart, and relevant solutions captured in photos that tell uplifting stories that mark the beginning of change for the better. As these innovations become more consolidated and integrated into government approaches and systems, farmers in Odisha will gain the capacity to overcome, mitigate, and quickly recover from the challenges they face in producing food not only for themselves but for us as well.

M. Muthukumar, IAS Director, Agriculture & Food Production Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment (DA&FE) Government of Odisha

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ABOUT IRRI Resource mapping exercise

by Farmer Producer Company members in Kalahandi.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This publication was developed by IRRI with funding support from the Department of Agriculture and Farmer Empowerment (DA&FE), Government of Odisha.

technical experts, officers, field staff, finance, and procurement teams, as well as government officials from DA&FE, extension workers, local partners, and farmers.

We gratefully acknowledge the support of Dr. Saurabh Garg, IAS, Principal Secretary of Agriculture, and Dr. M Muthukumar, IAS, Director, Agriculture, Food Production, DA&FE, in the development of this book.

Dr. Ranjitha Puskur, Principal Investigator, and Dr. Mukund Variar, State Coordinator, Odisha project provided the guidance and support to plan and develop this book.

We present this coffee table book reflecting the project achievements. We acknowledge the dedication and support provided by every individual who directly or indirectly contributed to this project.

The photographs included in this book have been captured by the project team at the grassroots level. We would like to thank all the research technicians and field officers for their support and contribution.

This book would not have been possible without the support and coordination of the project’s

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IRRI Communication team members Ms. Deepti Saksena (IRRI-India), Mr. Jose Benedicto Gamboa and Mr. Alaric Francis Santiaguel (IRRI Advocacy & Brand), and Mr. Rajib Bhowmick (IRRIBangladesh) provided dedicated effort and support in conceptualization, coordination, editorial support, design, and print production to produce this publication.

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is an international research organization, dedicated to reducing poverty and hunger through rice science; improving the health and welfare of rice farmers and consumers; and protecting the rice-growing environment for future generations. The institute develops and promotes advanced rice varieties, new and improved methods and technologies that enable farmers to manage their farms profitably and sustainably, and recommends rice varieties and agricultural practices suitable to particular farm conditions as well as consumer preferences.

IRRI works toward finding solutions for the world’s biggest challenges and contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

AGRICULTURE IN ODISHA Agriculture in Odisha is characterized by low productivity on account of various factors such as abiotic stresses which are increasing in frequency and intensity, lack of assured irrigation facilities, low seed and varietal replacement rate, non-availability of quality seed particularly in rainfed areas, low cropping intensity, suboptimal levels of fertilizer and pesticide applications, limited mechanization practices, and knowledge gaps.

Opportunities also abound with ten agro-climatic zones that are suitable for growing a wide range of crops. Coupled with rich natural endowments in the state, there is enormous potential in the state for increasing the incomes of the farmers by enhancing their knowledge, productivity, and production.

ABOUT THE IRRI-ODISHA PROJECT IRRI, in collaboration with the DA&FE, Government of Odisha, implemented the project Increasing Productivity of Rice-based Cropping Systems and Farmers’ Income in Odisha. The project aims to enhance farm productivity, crop production, and incomes of smallholder rice farmers in Odisha. The five-year project (2016-2021) was implemented in all 30 districts of Odisha.

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Unlocking the potential of Odisha’s agriculture The rice-based system dominates the agricultural landscape in Odisha and serves as the lifeline for millions of smallholder farming families, which comprise over 91% of this sector. However, agriculture in the state is characterized by low productivity because of various factors.

Environmental stresses (e.g. floods, drought, and soil salinity) lead to crop losses as well as low and fragile rice productivity. These, in turn, translate to food insecurity and poverty of economically and socially disadvantaged families.

The dearth of assured irrigation, input services, and low-quality seeds; slow varietal replacement rate, low cropping intensity; improper fertilizer and pesticide management; and limited mechanization practices compound the farmers’ challenge of overcoming stagnant productivity. The constraints in acquiring knowledge, information, and technology options push farmers to use outdated agronomic practices, poor postharvest management, and low crop diversification. Limited access to institutional credit prevents farmers from investing in equipment, land improvement, or human capital. They also have weak connections to lucrative agricultural markets. Together these contribute to lower crop productivity and profitability.

Although these challenges are tough, they are not insurmountable. Under Increasing Productivity of Rice-based Cropping Systems and Farmers’ Income in Odisha, a project supported by the State DA&FE and implemented by IRRI, various solutions have been tested and validated in 30 districts to improve the productivity of smallholder rice farmers as well as empower rural women.

Launched in 2016 and spanning five years, the project provides robust evidence that innovative and relevant solutions can effectively enhance the productivity and income of smallholder and marginal farmers in Odisha and can help weaken the vicious cycles of poverty and hunger.

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Innovations that are changing Odisha’s agricultural landscape VARIETAL ADOPTION QUALITY SEEDS SEEDCAST RICE FALLOW MANAGEMENT RICE CROP MANAGER EXTENSION AND ADVISORY SERVICES

RICE DOCTOR ODISHA INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY-BASED CROP INSURANCE WOMEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP RICE KNOWLEDGE BANK

A member of a women’s Self Help Group (SHG) learning mechanical transplanting, which besides reducing labor also reduces health risks 10

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VARIETAL ADOPTION Giving Odisha’s farmers a voice and choice Engaging the farmers through novel extension methods and participatory evaluation and selection processes are speeding up the adoption of climateresilient rice varieties. The Crop Cafeteria is an example of working in partnership with smallholder farmers to identify rice varieties that are preferred by them and other stakeholders, so mechanisms can be put in place to make them widely available.

“ Farmers during varietal evaluation and selection at a participatory Crop Cafeteria in Jaipur

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Varietal cafeterias are helpful in selecting best-fit varieties for a particular region.

There is a continuous effort required in demonstrating new rice varieties to let farmers and department officers know the suitable varieties for our areas. It will help increase the production and productivity in Bargarh District.

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Dinabandhu Gandhi CDAO, Bargarh

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QUALITY SEEDS

Sowing knowledge and reaping the benefits

Building the capacity of women and men farmers, government agents, civil society, dealers, and entrepreneurs in quality seed production strengthens the farmer-led seed system. With a more robust seed system, more smallholder farmers can access high-quality seed of their preferred varieties locally.

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I am delighted to learn the seed production and storage techniques. Using IRRI super bags for storing paddy seeds helped me to store seeds safely for more than eight months without any pest damage.

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Sisula Pandey Farmer Bindha Block, Pipili, Puri

Developing the capacity of women farmers in Balasore in quality seed production makes good quality seeds more accessible in their community

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SEEDCAST

Balancing quality seed supply and farmers’ seed demand

SeedCast is a mobile application and webbased portal for seed demand estimation and varietal information. This digital solution provides required information and helps ensure the availability of quality seeds when and where farmers need them.

Seed dealers during the orientation program for SeedCast in Bhadrak displaying the app installed on their mobile phones

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SeedCast, a digital solution developed by IRRI to manage demand and supply, is contributing to an overhaul of the seed system in Odisha.

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(Top) SeedCast mobile page (Bottom) Participants learning how to use SeedCast to estimate the demand for seeds of improved rice varieties.

Subhash Chandra Behera Zonal Manager, Odisha State Seed Corporation IRRI ODISHA

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RICE FALLOW MANAGEMENT

Farmers prepare a field for pulse seed sowing

Harvesting new opportunities from idle lands Cultivating idle lands left fallow after the rice crop in the rainy season with diverse crops like legumes and oilseeds improves soil fertility and enhances land productivity.

Where there used to be none, the additional crop harvests also increase household incomes and can contribute to better nutrition.

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I have never seen this much yield in green gram since cultivating pulses for the last 10 years. The new variety of green gram Virat is a short-duration pulse variety and has a good yield. It will be a boon to farmers.

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Left to Right: On-farm adaptive trials of greengram (Virat variety), sweet potato, and pigeon pea

Sahadeb Nayak Farmer Pipili Block, Puri

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RCM provides precise fertilizer recommendations that help farmers use balanced nutrients for better crop performance and reduced environmental footprints.

This tool for site-specific nutrient management will certainly help improve farmers’ livelihood.

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Sabyasachi Biswal Professor Department of Agronomy Odisha University of Agriculture & Technology Evaluating farmer’s practice vs RCM advisories during a Farmers‘ Field Day in Cuttack

RICE CROP MANAGER Putting crop science in the hands of farmers 20

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Through the web-based Rice Crop Manager (RCM), farmers across Odisha are able to receive science-based recommendation for balanced and efficient soil nutrient management to reduce costs and maximize returns. RCM recommendations are tailored for their specific field conditions and can be easily generated by the farmers themselves using the app.

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RICE DOCTOR

Post-graduate students from Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology test the Rice Doctor Odisha mobile app during a field practicum in Sambalpur

Ensuring the doctor is always “in” Time is of the essence in controlling the damage and spread of pests and diseases. Rice Doctor provides timely diagnoses of pest and disease problems and appropriate remedial measures that farmers can quickly implement.

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I was involved in Rice Doctor’s development and validation, in fact, I have seen it from the beginning. I’m recommending it to all the farmers in my area. Now all the field staff and many farmers are well acquainted with Rice Doctor and it is actually helping a lot.

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Litty Pattnaik, Block Agriculture Officer, Nayagarh, Odisha IRRI ODISHA

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A farmer in Jaipur shows the better growth of rice plants from seeds treated with Trichoderma biofungicide (left) compared to plants from untreated seeds

INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT Farming with nature, not against it 24

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Trichoderma as a seed treatment helped increase plant growth and yield in paddy, happy to see the good results.

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Abhinay Sahoo Farmer Jajpur, Odisha

Biological pest control methods provide smallholder farmers with a sustainable alternative to the heavy reliance on pesticides. Integrated pest management, which uses natural checks and agri-chemicals judiciously, reduces production costs as well as risks to the health of the farmers, their families, and the environment.

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Satellite-based map of the Leaf Area Index of rice in Jagatsingpur district, Kharif, 2019

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I would have been worried as to how I would repay my loan and feed my family had I not insured my farmland and received a claim of Rs. 27,000, which helped me recover from my crop loss. Due to lack of awareness, many farmers do not insure their land before cultivation.

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Dwitikrushna Swain Farmer, Gunthapada Village

A survey in Balasore to determine farmers’ awareness, preferences, and uptake of crop insurance

TECHNOLOGY-BASED CROP INSURANCE Offering farmers a safety net to land on A project team conducts real-time, field-level rice crop monitoring using a drone in Puri

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Farming is a risky business. Near-real-time assessment of rice cropping areas, yield prediction, and damage assessments in times of natural calamities using remote sensing technology makes it feasible for governments and insurance companies to provide farmers with timely financial protection.

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Women members of Adarsha FPC processing certified rice seed in Kalahandi

Women farmers, often relegated to a peripheral position, can become drivers of change in their households and communities.

When women farmers are empowered to become agricultural entrepreneurs, they often introduce new ideas and practices that lead to positive repercussions on rural economies.

Turning intuition into agri-preneurial skills

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Because we were dependent on local mandies for seeds, we were always burdened with huge debts from the local moneylenders and private landlords.

We don’t feel the same way today. Our self-respect and confidence have been restored. I had never left my village in my entire life. I am now confident to travel and interact with people even outside my state!

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WOMEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Ms. Dutika Pujari

FPC member

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Members of a women’s SHG exploring RKB Odisha during an orientation in Sambalpur

RICE KNOWLEDGE BANK Providing a platform for sharing knowledge

Small farmers rely on agricultural extension service for technical advice to support their crop production. The RKB helps strengthen advisory services by ensuring extension agents are providing farmers with updated information, knowledge and, technologies.

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Using RKB Odisha, I learned about new varieties and can now easily find the right variety suited for land. I also gained knowledge on how much chemicals to apply if pest and disease occur. Feeling confident after using RKB.

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Narasingha Khadia Farmer Brahmanipali village

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STRENGTHENING EXTENSION AND ADVISORY SERVICES

Securing the free flow of information for all

Strengthening advisory services not only improves access to new information, knowledge, and technologies by those who need them the most: women, men, smallholder farmers, rural communities, and other stakeholders. It is equally important to make information available in an equitable and gender-responsive manner.

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Market-led extension and adoption of new technologies are the two areas that need to be looked into. The inputs from this workshop must feed into an advocacy plan for the department. If we participate or are nominated in committees, this workshop is useful in improving the quality of our participation in those contexts.

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Participants during a Training of Trainers conducted on Gender responsive EAS in Bhubaneswar

Akshay Kumar Sahu Water Management Specialist Department of Agriculture Government of Odisha IRRI ODISHA

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IRRI was established in 1960 by the Ford and Rockefeller Foundations with the help and approval of the Government of the Philippines. It is supported by government funding agencies, foundations, the private sector, and non-government organizations. It is currently a member of the CGIAR, a global agricultural research partnership for a food-secure future. To learn more visit cgiar.org.

This publication was produced as part of the Government of Odisha-funded project Increasing Productivity of Rice-based Systems and Farmers’ Income in Odisha.

The responsibility for this publication rests with IRRI.

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