Our cooperative's engagement with Odisha Agriculture has almost touched 10 Years.During these time there has been periods where we have felt that a particular approach is desirable to pursue & in some other the said approach has not brought any fruitful gains.The major issue here is that in an underdeveloped State like odisha a mixture of professional strategies & homegrown ideas can be utilized to make meaningful success.Despite all round limitations of the Agri system in the State,the major success story has been rising yield of cereals like Rice.Though the yield per acre was always at historical lows as compared to the national average but still since last few years the yield is closely inching towards the national average.Now the Government of the day is faced with a difficult situation to reduce this overflowing stock of paddy.How did it happen?The simple answer to this is transmission of technology.It is often said technology has no nationality and once its passes the test of consumer acceptance its journey becomes rapid.Due to improved seed technology and effective delivery system through Government channels,it has become possible to reach the last mile.The massive public investment by the successive Governments through flagship RKVY programme and some sectoral initiatives has created a situation in the Eastern part of the country to push up the yield which was anyway low as compared to other regions of the country.In addition to this some simple homegrown adaptation of techniques like line sowing and seed treatment has found acceptance with large majority of farmers.It is sometimes said Necessity is the father of innovation.Though it was said in a different context but lack of labor in our villages has accentuated the need for mechanization.A Statistics show that Odisha has the largest absorption of power tillers in the country.Though some of them must be going to the grey channels but still its a fact that mechanization of our Agriculture has started and would soon reach a point of no return.Now its not an uncommon sight to see transplanters,harvesters in our fields.Now the farmers are forming groups to use these instruments and pay for their rentals.These and many such measures which were started with very uncertain future are gathering force.The problems are aplenty and it would stay put for years to come,but these small breakthroughs are going to gain substantial ground and obviously make a difference.Welcome to a New world which has primarily emerged out of structural problems and not the absence of it.So a default setting is creating a situation of new agricultural growth.Can it be a peculiar Indian story,only time would tell.
