depend on agriculture for its livelihood. The non-agricultural sector has not been able
to siphon off surplus labour from agricultural sector. This is a sharp contrast to the
empirical experience of developed countries (Majumdar 2007).
In the absence of a continuous follow up to the green revolution and the dearth
of a suitable technological breakthrough in Indian agriculture in the post green
revolution era, there has been a continuous decline in total factor productivity in the
Indian agriculture. Water and air pollution due to indiscriminate use of agrochemicals such as inorganic fertilizers and pesticides, soil degradation, depletion of
water resources, depletion of soil fertility and extinction of plant species are among
the glaring problems that raise question whether the technology currently used is
able to meet the challenge of current and future demand of production. The erosion
of agricultural biodiversity threatens the long-term stability and sustainability of
agriculture in many ways. It erodes the genetic base on which scientists depend for
continuous improvement of crops. By opting high-yield varieties, farmers become
increasingly dependent on the industry dominated market and the government. Low
value of agriculture, low cost-benefit ratio and no clear-cut policy on agriculture
prices affect agriculture (Roy 2012).
1.4 Livelihood and Sustainable Agriculture-Scenario
in Odisha
Agriculture sector continues to be the backbone of the state economy in the sense that
about 62 % population (as per 2011 census) still depend in varying degrees on this
sector for their livelihoods. While the contribution of the agriculture sector to GSDP
has come down to about 16 % during 2011–12 from a level of 53 % in 1980–81, the
diversion of the workforce from farm sector to nonfarm sectors is very slow. The
production of food grains in the state has increased from 51.04 lakh tonne in
1970–1971 to 102.10 lakh tonne in 2012–2013, but the increase in yield rate of food
grains from 847 kg/ha in 1970–1971 to 1297 kg/ha in 2011–2012 is quite significant.
Over-dependence on paddy cultivation even in rainfed conditions is a limiting
factor to agricultural growth because of the State’s proneness to natural calamities
particularly drought conditions. In terms of area, the share of paddy out of the net
area sown has reduced from 64.36 % in 1950–1951 to 61.1 % in 2011–2012. The
area under paddy cultivation is, however, still quite high. Other major constraints to
adoption of modern agricultural practices in the state are low levels of capital
formation and small sizes of operational holdings.
However, poverty estimates on the basis of 66th NSS round data and Tendulkar
Committee Methodology for 2009–2010 are based on estimated poverty lines at Rs.
567.10 and Rs. 736.00 for rural and urban Odisha, respectively. The nutritional status
of women in Odisha, as indicated in the NFHS-3 survey, shows that about 41.4 % of
women have a body mass index BMI below 18.5, indicating a high prevalence of
nutritional deficiency. Prevalence of severe malnutrition among children, mothers,
old and indigent people is a matter of serious concern in the State. Sixty-two percent
Climate Change and Natural Capital …
267
to siphon off surplus labour from agricultural sector. This is a sharp contrast to the
empirical experience of developed countries (Majumdar 2007).
In the absence of a continuous follow up to the green revolution and the dearth
of a suitable technological breakthrough in Indian agriculture in the post green
revolution era, there has been a continuous decline in total factor productivity in the
Indian agriculture. Water and air pollution due to indiscriminate use of agrochemicals such as inorganic fertilizers and pesticides, soil degradation, depletion of
water resources, depletion of soil fertility and extinction of plant species are among
the glaring problems that raise question whether the technology currently used is
able to meet the challenge of current and future demand of production. The erosion
of agricultural biodiversity threatens the long-term stability and sustainability of
agriculture in many ways. It erodes the genetic base on which scientists depend for
continuous improvement of crops. By opting high-yield varieties, farmers become
increasingly dependent on the industry dominated market and the government. Low
value of agriculture, low cost-benefit ratio and no clear-cut policy on agriculture
prices affect agriculture (Roy 2012).
1.4 Livelihood and Sustainable Agriculture-Scenario
in Odisha
Agriculture sector continues to be the backbone of the state economy in the sense that
about 62 % population (as per 2011 census) still depend in varying degrees on this
sector for their livelihoods. While the contribution of the agriculture sector to GSDP
has come down to about 16 % during 2011–12 from a level of 53 % in 1980–81, the
diversion of the workforce from farm sector to nonfarm sectors is very slow. The
production of food grains in the state has increased from 51.04 lakh tonne in
1970–1971 to 102.10 lakh tonne in 2012–2013, but the increase in yield rate of food
grains from 847 kg/ha in 1970–1971 to 1297 kg/ha in 2011–2012 is quite significant.
Over-dependence on paddy cultivation even in rainfed conditions is a limiting
factor to agricultural growth because of the State’s proneness to natural calamities
particularly drought conditions. In terms of area, the share of paddy out of the net
area sown has reduced from 64.36 % in 1950–1951 to 61.1 % in 2011–2012. The
area under paddy cultivation is, however, still quite high. Other major constraints to
adoption of modern agricultural practices in the state are low levels of capital
formation and small sizes of operational holdings.
However, poverty estimates on the basis of 66th NSS round data and Tendulkar
Committee Methodology for 2009–2010 are based on estimated poverty lines at Rs.
567.10 and Rs. 736.00 for rural and urban Odisha, respectively. The nutritional status
of women in Odisha, as indicated in the NFHS-3 survey, shows that about 41.4 % of
women have a body mass index BMI below 18.5, indicating a high prevalence of
nutritional deficiency. Prevalence of severe malnutrition among children, mothers,
old and indigent people is a matter of serious concern in the State. Sixty-two percent
Climate Change and Natural Capital …
267