Rice Productivity in Odisha: Trends, Issues, Challenges, and Way Forward

Abstract

Rice is the principal staple crop of Odisha, occupying 60–70% of the gross cropped area and serving as the backbone of the state’s food security, rural economy, and cultural heritage. It provides livelihood to millions of small and marginal farmers and landless labourers. Over the past 25 years (2000–2025), Odisha’s rice sector has undergone a remarkable transformation, characterized by substantial yield-led growth despite a marginal decline in cultivated area. Average productivity has more than doubled, rising from approximately 1.0–1.2 tonnes per hectare in the early 2000s to around 2.3–2.485 tonnes per hectare by the mid-2020s, with production frequently exceeding 100–118 lakh tonnes in recent years. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of rice productivity trends using data from the Directorate of Economics and Statistics (Odisha), Ministry of Agriculture, and other secondary sources. It examines the key drivers of success, including the adoption of climate-resilient varieties (e.g., Swarna Sub1, Sahbhagi Dhan), policy initiatives such as the KALIA scheme, National Food Security Mission, and improved agronomic practices. The study also critically assesses persistent challenges such as climate vulnerability, rainfed dominance, soil degradation, rice fallows, fragmented landholdings, and irrigation inefficiencies. Finally, the paper offers evidence-based policy and research recommendations for sustainable intensification, aiming to achieve 3.5–4.0 tonnes per hectare while enhancing resilience, cropping intensity, and farmer incomes. The findings underscore the need for a science-led, climate-smart, and farmer-centric approach to position Odisha as a model for sustainable rice production in eastern India.