| Introduction: Give brief context to the question Body: Highlight policies which has helped in the transformation of agriculture and which can be replicated elsewhere. Conclusion: Way forward |
In the face of an escalating global food crisis exacerbated by the intensifying climate crisis, growing conflicts, and jeopardized livelihoods, Odisha’s transformative path is gaining recognition as a model and a wellspring of ideas for establishing food security rooted in equity and sustainability.
State’s policies and its impact on food security and sustainability
- Increased agriculture productivity: The state has achieved record production in the past two decades with food grain production amounting to 13.606 million tonnes in 2022. This has been due to an increase in income of small and marginal farmers which has directly contributed to strengthening their food security and creating resilient livelihoods. Implementing flagship programs like KALIA and promoting scientific crop management through traditional and digital methods has increased non-paddy crop cultivation, reducing reliance on paddy. Initiatives like the Odisha Millet Mission further contribute to crop diversification and climate resilience.
- Climate Change Action Plan: Odisha has proactively developed a comprehensive Climate Change Action Plan to address the issue of climate change & its impact on agriculture. The Crop Weather Watch Group monitors crops through meetings and field visits to address adverse weather conditions. District-level planning focuses on climate-resilient practices, leading to increased food production through integrated farming and better water management.
Integration into the National Agricultural Policy Framework
- Knowledge sharing: The UN World Food Programme and Odisha government’s partnership innovates in food security, such as biometric tech in distribution, and rice fortification to improve food security. These types of initiatives can be replicated in other states which could help support sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture.
- Technology Adoption: Innovate technologies like crop planning, climate-resilient cultivation practices, that include integrated farming, zero-input-based natural farming, non-paddy crops, better water management, water-saving devices, e-pest surveillance, and large-scale farm mechanization can be integrated into National Agricultural Policy Framework. To boost food grain production state has focussed on training farmers in crop-specific techniques, including integrated nutrient and pest management which can help states build a robust agriculture sector.
Conclusion
The success of agriculture transformation in Odisha is reflected in statistics for 2020-21 as Odisha produces 9% of the total rice in India and accounts for 4.22% of the total food-grain production of the country. It’s essential to tailor policies to local contexts while promoting innovation, collaboration, and resilience in the face of climate challenges.
