Time to focus on improving farm productivity

The agriculture sector in Karnataka faces challenges on various fronts. On the supply side, the yield of most of crops has not improved significantly. The scope for increasing the net sown area is limited and farm sizes have been shrinking. Therefore, there is a need for renewed focus on improving productivity.

Farming needs to be dovetailed with viable off-farm and non-farm activities. Farmers need to be facilitated to take up value-addition activities that could generate better income. There is a need to narrow the gap between producer and consumer prices through appropriate marketing support.

Effect of climate

Climate change could exert a devastating impact on the growth and productivity of several crops, particularly foodgrains. Thus, the consequences of climate change and natural calamities on agriculture also need to be factored in while devising a strategy for the development of this sector.

This calls for concerted efforts to augment the flow of credit to agriculture, besides exploring new innovations in product design and methods of delivery, better use of technology and related processes.

Given the option, cash-rich farmers should focus on producing commercial crops, while staple food crops should mainly come from the fields of resource-poor farmers. This group of farmers is disadvantaged in terms of small holdings, lack of/inadequate irrigation facilities, limited access to improved inputs, extension/technical guidance, credit, etc., they should be given priority in our agricultural development strategy/policy.

Agriculture Profile

The State has 30 districts and 176 taluks. Karnataka has varied topography. Based on physiographic features, the State is divided into four regions — coastal, malnad (hilly), northern plateau and southern plateau — falling within ten agro-climatic zones.

The soils vary from vast stretches of deep black to shallow red soils. While red soil constitutes 37 per cent (71.08 lakh hectares), black soil accounts for 28 per cent (52.93 lakh hectares). In 2009, the State received a rainfall of 1,324 mm as against the normal level of 1,140 mm.

The State has 66 per cent rural population (72 per cent at all-India level) and 55.50 per cent workers are classified as cultivators/agricultural labourers (compared to all-India level of 58.4 per cent).

Net irrigated area is 34.09 lakh hectares, and the major sources of irrigation are wells/ tube-wells/ bore-wells.

As on 2007-08, the land use pattern in the State was as follows: net sown area (NSA), 54.7 per cent; forest (16.1 per cent), non-agricultural (7.2 per cent); barren and cultivable waste (6.3 per cent); permanent pasture, trees and groves (6.4 per cent); and fallow (9.3 per cent).

Distribution of operational holdings depicts a skewed pattern in the State. The average size of operational holding is 1.63 hectares, larger than the all-India level at 1.33 hectares. The average size of a holding by small and marginal farmers at 0.82 hectares restricts the scope of individual financing.

Two-thirds of the geographical area of Karnataka are under arid and semi-arid conditions. It ranks second, after Rajasthan, in terms of drought-prone area — 18 of the 30 districts are drought prone. Almost the entire pulses output and around 60 per cent of cereals are produced in these dry-land areas.

Main crops

The major crops grown in the State are:

Food crops : paddy, jowar, ragi, maize, groundnut, sunflower, Bengal gram and sugarcane.

Fruits : mango, banana, grapes, guava, sapota, pineapple, pomegranate and lime.

Vegetables : tomato, brinjal, gourds, ladies finger, beans, gherkin, onion and chillies.

Plantation : coconut, turmeric, ginger, arecanut, coffee, cardamom, pepper, vanilla.

Total foodgrain production in the State is estimated to be 106.53 lakh tonnees during 2009-10, as against a target of 118.35 lakh tonnes. Total foodgrain output in 2008-09 was 112.75 lakh tonnes as against a target of 125.25 lakh tonnes.

The State ranks second in plantation crops, fourth in production of flowers, seventh in production of vegetable crops, eighth in fruits, and is a leading producer of spices, medicinal and aromatic crops.

Karnataka is one of the five traditional mulberry-silk producing States, providing employment to more than 18.50 lakh people.

AEZs (Agriculture Export Zones) have been set up for gherkins, rose-onion, floriculture and the proposal for creation of an AEZ for vanilla has been cleared and notified by the Central Government.

Credit flow pattern

In its ‘State Focus Paper for 2011-12', Nabard has said that credit flow to crop loan sector in 2009-10 was Rs 1,0592.32 crore. The target for 2010-11 is Rs 14,622.37 crore. The potential assessed for financing during 2011-12 is Rs 18,373.51 crore.

The credit flow to land preparation and development during 2009-10 was Rs 372.53 crore. The target for 2010-11 is Rs 750.76 crore. The potential for financing in 2011-12 is estimated at Rs 905.94 crore.

The credit flow to farm mechanisation in 2009-10 was Rs 575.60 crore. The target for 2010-11 is Rs 1,569.27 crore. The potential assessed for financing in 2011-12 is Rs 1,075.63 crore.

Crop Loan

In its State Focus Paper for 2011-12, Nabard has said credit flow to Crop Loan Sector during 2009-10 was Rs 10,592.32 crore. The target for 2010-11 is Rs 14,622.37 crore. The potential assessed for financing during 2011-12 is Rs 18,373.51 crore.

Land development

The credit flow to land preparation and development during the year 2009-10 was Rs 372.53 crore. The target for 2010-11 is Rs 750.76 crore. The potential assessed for financing during 2011-12 is Rs 905.94 crore.

Farm mechanisation

The credit flow to this farm mechanisation during 2009-10 was Rs 575.60 crore. The target for 2010-11 is Rs 1,569.27 crore. The potential assessed for financing during 2011-12 is Rs 1,075.63 crore.

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