The average monthly household income in agriculture in the State has increased to Rs 7,731 in 2016-17 from Rs 4,976 in 2012-13, according to the Odisha Economic Survey Report tabled in the State Assembly.
As per the report for 2017-18, as many as 48.8 per cent of workers in the state are engaged in agriculture and allied activities.
The farm sector contributed 18.9 per cent to the State’s Gross Value Added (GVA) in 2018-19, showing that in every five rupees generated in the State’s economy, agriculture’s contribution is about one rupee.
The agriculture sector grew at 8.3% in 2018-19 against the 8.2% in the preceding year, said the Economic Survey Report.
The report stated, “The drought of 2017-18 caused a contraction in agricultural output.
The sector recovered in 2018-19 with a robust growth rate of 8.3%. Activities like livestock rearing and aquaculture have emerged as the fastest growing sub-sectors of agriculture and allied sector and these have the potential to be the drivers of sustainable agricultural growth.”
Meanwhile, Chief Secretary AP Padhi said that in order to boost the farmers’ income and enhance rural income, the State Government has launched the progressive farmers welfare scheme KALIA. Under this scheme, the Government has earmarked Rs 10,180 crore in three years, including the current one.
“Deficit rainfall and severe pest attack in 2017-18 had led to a decline in food grains production. Interventions through Government initiative by introducing the scheme KALIA for sustainable agricultural development has been a game changer to improve agriculture prosperity in the State,” Padhi said.