CONTENTS
S. No. / Title / Page No.Executive Summary / 7
I / Introduction / 14
1.1 / Background / 14
1.2 / Main concerns of Agricultural Sector / 15
1.3 / Purpose of DAPs / 17
1.4 / Methodology / 17
II / General description of the district / 20
2.1 / Introduction / 20
2.2 / District at a glance / 21
2.3 / Development Vision and Strategy / 26
III / SWOT analysis of the district / 27
3.1 / Introduction / 27
3.2 / Analysis of Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) / 27
3.3 / Addressing issues emerging out of the analysis / 31
3.4 / Sectoral / Regional growth drivers of the district / 31
IV / Development of Agricultural Sector / 34
4.1 / Introduction / 34
4.2 / Land Use / 34
4.3 / Soil Health / 34
4.4 / Water Resources and Management / 37
4.5 / Major Crops and cropping pattern / 39
4.6 / Input Management / 42
4.7 / Farm Mechanization / 43
4.8 / Constraint Analysis / 44
4.9 / Recommended interventions for the district with detailed action plan and costs / 47
4.10 / Total investments and outcomes / 54
V / Allied Agricultural Sectors / 55
5.1 / Introduction / 55
5.2 / Horticulture Development / 55
5.3 / Sericulture Development / 68
5.4 / Animal Husbandry / 73
5.5 / Fisheries Development / 81
5.6 / Agricultural marketing / 84
5.7 / Irrigation development / 85
5.8 / Watershed Development / 87
5.9 / Rural development / 88
5.10 / Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP) / 89
5.11 / Strategies and targets proposed for the next five years / 89
VI / District Plan / 91
6.1 / Introduction / 91
6.2 / Growth Drivers / 91
6.3 / Innovative Schemes / 92
6.4 / Vision of XI plan / 96
6.5 / District plan / 97
Annexures
Tables / 100-183
Convergence of Schemes and Activities for Agricultural Development / 184-191
List of tables
Table no / Name of the table / Page no.1 / General information / 117
2 / Distribution of holdings and land by category of farmers / 118
3 / Data on Weather / 119
4 / Land utilization particulars of Khammam district / 120
5 / Land Holdings (Agriculture Census 2001) / 121
6 / Source wise Area Irrigated in 2006-07 in ha / 121
7 / Contribution of agriculture and allied sectors to the district income, 2000-05 / 122
8 / Growth rates of sub-sectors of agriculture in Khammam district / 122
9 / Land utilization statistics (2005-06) / 123
10 / Results of soil analysis in Khammam district (part-1) / 123
11 / Results of soil analysis in Khammam district (part-2) / 124
12 / Results of soil analysis by ADA circle(2004-05) / 124
13 / Soil testing Laboratories in District / 125
14 / Rainfall distribution by month in Khammam district / 126
15 / Area irrigated source wise during 2004-05 / 127
16 / Water analysis report / 128
17 / Major crops in the district / 129
18 / Area under field crops in kharif and rabi seasons / 130
19 / Area, production and productivity details of major crops / 131
20 / Productivity and production targets of major food crops in kharif, 2006-07 / 132
21 / Area, production and productivity trend of main crops in the district / 133
22 / Area, production and productivity trends of main crops in the district / 134
23 / Consumption of NPK in Khammam district / 134
24 / Crop wise NPK consumption / 135
25 / Availability of improved farm equipments and machineries / 137
26 / Availability of improved farm equipments and machineries / 138
27 / Availability of improved farm equipments and machineries / 139
28 / Farming situations and their coverage in Khammam district / 139
29 / Infrastructure for agricultural market committees / 140
30 / Farm level storage plan agricultural market committees / 141
31 / Marketing infrastructure plan in agricultural market committees / 141
32 / Proposals for supply of gypsum during XI plan / 142
33 / Proposals for supply of green manure seeds / 142
34 / Proposals for reclamation and development of saline / alkali soils in XI plan / 143
35 / Proposals for supply of zinc sulphate during XI plan / 143
36 / Proposals for providing revolving fund to MAOs / 144
37 / Consumption of technical grade pesticide, 2002-03 to 2006-07 / 144
38 / Farmers’ field school in XI plan / 145
39 / Proposals for establishing custom hiring centers / 145
40 / Proposals for supply of farm implements on subsidy / 146
41 / Proposals for appointment of additional staff / 146
42 / Proposals for appointment of model farmers / 146
43 / Proposals for providing mobility and training / 147
44 / Proposals for strengthening regulatory infrastructure / 147
45 / Proposals for support to conjunctive use of ground and surface water / 148
46 / Proposals for supply of sprinkler sets / 148
47 / Planning for Farmers Training Program Related to Agriculture and Allied Departments / 149
48 / Training Infrastructure Proposed for Capacity Building of Agriculture and Allied Department Staff / 150
49 / Proposed Plan to Improve Agriculture & Allied Training Facilities for Farmers at Block Level / 151
50 / Additional area to be brought / under Organic Farming in Next Five Year / 152
51 / Treatment /Units Proposed for the Organic Farming in Next Five Year (2007 to 2012) / 153
52 / Crop Diversification Plan in Next Five Year / 154
53 / Crop sector action plan under rastriya krishi vikas yojana / 155
54 / Proposed outcomes from the investments on agricultural sector / 156
55 / Area cultivated under different crops in kharif and rabi seasons / 156
56 / Area under horticultural crops, 2006-07 / 157
57 / Area expansion plan of horticultural crops / 158
58 / Rejuvenation plan of horticultural crops / 159
59 / Proposals for drip irrigation in XI plan / 159
60 / Planting material production plan / 160
61 / Comprehensive district horticultural action plan / 161
62 / Status of the silk worm rearing sheds in Khammam district / 163
63 / Support to sericulture under Catalytic development program / 163
64 / Investment needed to establish a private Tasar grainage / 164
65 / Comprehensive plan for sericulture development / 165
66 / Livestock population in Khammam district / 166
67 / Livestock information / 166
68 / Veterinary institutions functioning in Khammam district / 167
69 / Taluka wise Existence of Veterinary Institution / 167
70 / Production plan of Livestock during XI plan / 168
71 / Action Plan in respect of Foot & Mouth Disease Control / 168
72 / Action plan in respect of calf rearing by inducting heifer calves (50% subsidy) / 169
73 / Action plan in respect feed support to female calves born out of A.I.on 50% subsidy / 170
74 / Action plan in respect to health care to Sheep and Goats / 171
75 / Action plan for supply of fodder chaff cutters on 50% subsidy / 172
76 / Action plan for establishment of perennial fodder plots / 173
77 / Comprehensive plan for animal husbandry development / 174
78 / Fisheries action plan / 175
79 / Proposals for strengthening market facilities / 176
80 / Action plan for marketing in Khammam district / 177
81 / Modernization of NSP project / 178
82 / Area proposed for coverage by SRSP – II in XI plan / 179
83 / Details of the completed watersheds, 1995-2005 / 179
84 / Details of on-going watershed development programs in the district / 180
85 / Planning of Soil Survey Programme / 180
86 / Technologies for In situ Moisture Conservation Plan / 181
87 / Average yields and cost of cultivation of major crops in Khammam district / 181
88 / Issues and strategies for reducing pesticide use / 182
89 / Status of non-pesticidal management program / 183
90 / Area under NPM by mandal crop, 2006-07 / 183
List of figures/graphs
Fig.no / Title / Page no.1 / District Map / 20
2 / Category wise area / 22
3 / Agril and allied sectors contribution to GDP / 25
4 / Growth rates in agril and allied sectors / 26
5 / Soil types in Khammam district / 35
6 / Pie Chart showing the distribution of rainfall between different seasons / 38
7 / Source wise irrigated area, 2004-05 / 39
8 / Area coverage under different crops / 40
9 / Area and production of major crops / 41
10. / Productivity of major crops / 41
11 / Nutrient consumption in the district / 43
12 / Farming situations in the district / 44
13 / Pesticide consumption in the district / 52
Comprehensive District Agriculture Plan
Khammam district
Executive summary
Khammam district was formed on Ist October, 1953. The name of the district is derived by its headquarters town Khammam. This district is more popular with the presence of famous ancient Ramalayam temple at the bank of river Godavari in Bhadrachalam and Sthambhadri temple at Khammam. This district has good industrial potential and it is having Bhadrachalam Paper Board at Sarapaka and Hydel project at Upper Seleru of Bhadrachalam revenue division. Khammam district lies between 16 degrees – 45 degrees and 18 degrees to 35 degrees of northern latitude and 79 degrees-47 degrees and -41 degrees of the Eastern longitude. This district is bounded on the North by Chattisgarh and Orissa states, on the East by East Godavari and West Godavari districts, on the South by Krishna district and on the West by Nalgonda and Warangal districts.
There are 1242 revenue villages in Khammam district, which are organized in to 773 gram panchayats. The total population of the district is 25.78 lakhs with a literacy percentage of 56.89. Out of which 79.79% of the total population is working population. The scheduled caste and scheduled tribal population is around 16.55% and 26.47% respectively. In all 33.40 % of total population constitutes the work force in agriculture sector.
The marginal and small farmers together account for 80 percent of the farm holdings, but their share in land is only about 44 percent. The semi- medium group has 14 percent share in land holdings, but twice that share in the land area. The medium and large farmers together represent six percent of the farm holdings, but they have a share of about 28 percent in the land area.
The climate is comparatively equitable, although it is very hot in may with the temperature recording up to 490C. The district gets the benefit of both south- west and north -east monsoons. The annual normal rainfall of the district is 1124mm. The contribution of rainfall from south west monsoon (June - Sept) is 890 mm and is fairly reliable. It contributes to 79% of the total annual rainfall. North east monsoon (Oct-Dec) yields 130 mm. 17 mm rainfall is registered in winter season (Jan-Feb) and the remaining 87 mm is received during the hot weather period (Mar-May).
The soils in the district are mainly of Chalka, Dubba (Sandy) and Black Cotton soils. The Dubba (Sandy) soils are mostly in the southern side of Godavari River. The area adjoining Godavari river is like coastal area. Major break up of soils is as follows. The soils are low in Nitrogen, medium to high in Phosphorous and medium in Potash content.
The annual rainfall of the district is 1124 mm, which is fairly high to sustain rain fed crops and to fill the tanks. Many rivers, including the mighty Godavari, traverse through the district, which helps in recharging the ground water. About one-third of the gross sown area receives irrigation support and it is poised to go up when the new irrigation projects will be completed. The soils adjoining the river Godavari are quite fertile and can support a variety of crops. There are both red and black soils and they are suitable for growing different crops. Although the fertility level is low to moderate, the soils are responsive to inputs of fertilizer and management. Nearly one-half of the geographical area of the district is under forests. The tribals who live in the forest areas have their own cultivation and cultural practices which preserve the soil fertility. Closeness to forest gives the farmers low cost access to implements, fuel wood and timber. The district is bordering the states of Chattisgarh and Orissa, whose markets can be tapped for selling the agricultural produce. It is well connected to Vijayawada, Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam and Rajahmundry which helps in finding markets for the farmers’ produce. Several agricultural and horticultural schemes are being implemented in the district for the benefit of the tribals. There is scope for a ericulture, sericulture and fisheries to develop rapidly because of the favorable climate and resource endowments. Animal husbandry sector is also poised for development because of the availability of fodder in the district.
The farmers of the district have poor resource base which makes it difficult to take risks and make investments. The tribal farmers are guided by tradition and are slow to adopt new technologies. More than 50 per cent of the soils are light and have poor organic matter content and low fertility. Many of the irrigation sources depend on rainfall and a bad monsoon can affect it adversely. Some parts of the district are prone to flood hazard whenever Godavari is in spate. The infrastructure as well as literacy levels are quite poor in the remote tribal areas. The district is also the seat of extremist violence due to which the development activities progress very slowly. There is often tension between the locals and settlers on the issue of land alienation. There is unrest among the tribal farmers about the construction of Polavaram project as the water stored in the reservoir displaces many tribal farmers from their habitats. Thus, limited resource base, poor infrastructure and socio-economic tensions limit the scope of development in agriculture and allied sectors. As any where else, availability of labor is becoming tight and costly. The divergence between ownership and operation is also becoming prominent and it has implications for resource use efficiency.
There are several initiatives which bring new opportunities to the farmers in Khammam district. Under the ‘Jalayagnam’ program, Polavaram irrigation project as well as Dummagudem projects are under construction and they are expected to irrigate a lot of area in the district. The ayacut under Nagarjuna Sagar left canal is also likely to be increased. They can change the productivity and profitability of agriculture radically. The advent of surface irrigation may also improve the ground water levels and make tank and well irrigation more sustainable. The land values are going up as a result of the general spiral in land prices through out the state. It provides an opportunity to those who want to quit farming and move to other sectors for their livelihood. People who made money from non-agricultural sectors are investing in lands for speculative purposes in general but out of interest in farming in some exceptional cases. They have the capacity to invest in land development and in improved technologies. This trend may augur well to the farming sector because of infusion of capital from new sources. The output prices, both of food and cash crops, are on the rise and they may alter the rate of return on investments significantly and provide new hope to the farmers. The demand for milk, meat, eggs, fruits and vegetables is increasing and the process of diversification in to these high value commodities is likely to intensify further. Both the crop sector as well as the allied sectors is likely to do well in this scenario. The recent loan waiver program has freed marginal and small farmers from the bond of debt. They can avail fresh credit and invest on their farms. The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act has brought work and income to agricultural labor. The rural economy, in general, is infused with new sources of demand. The product prices are likely to increase further and make agriculture and allied enterprises more remunerate
The threats to agriculture and allied sectors come from many sources. Due to medium level of rainfall and predominance of light soils, the agricultural enterprises are becoming riskier. The predictions of climate change point out to decrease in rainfall and increase in temperatures. Both these anticipated changes may further dent the viability of agriculture in the district. The labor wages are going up in real terms and after the implementation of National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS), the working hours have reduced. Due to this increase in real wages without a commensurate increase in productivity, the agriculture tends to become less profitable. The loan waiver scheme has destroyed the credit discipline and farmers may not get access to credit both from institutional as well as non-institutional sources of credit. The increase in fuel prices may apply brakes on farm mechanization trend. The globalization of markets will put the farmers from advanced countries at an advantage because they are backed by huge subsidies from their governments. With in the country, farmers from irrigated areas are expected to do better due to heavy incidence of subsidies for irrigated crops. A predominantly rainfed district like Khammam may find it an unequal battle to compete with the neighboring districts with higher irrigation coverage. Crops like tobacco are on the decline due to reduced consumption of tobacco products in the world. Some of the internal weaknesses may get exacerbated by the external threats looming large on the agricultural sector in the district.
After analyzing the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats faced by agricultural sector and after analyzing the yield gaps that can be recovered in the district, a comprehensive district agricultural plan was prepared with interventions in agriculture and allied sectors. The interventions in agricultural sector include measures such as supply of green manure seed, application of gypsum and supply of zinc sulphate for improving the soil health and fertility. The interventions suggested also included supply of farm equipment and establishment of custom hiring centers to help the farmers get over the problem of labor shortage. There were also proposals on supply of sprinkler sets for increasing water use efficiency, supporting Farmers’ Field Schools (FFS) and strengthening extension support by appointing Agricultural Officers, technology facilitators and model farmers, development of human resources through training etc. The total investments on all the interventions proposed in agriculture amounted to Rs. 11925.53 lakh. The proposed growth rate in the agricultural sector is 5.77 per cent per year.
Horticultural sector which attained some growth in the recent years will be encouraged further by establishing new nurseries for producing quality planting material, establishment of new gardens, rejuvenation of the old and senile orchards, introducing new horticultural crops and multistory cropping systems, hybrid varieties of vegetables, loose flowers, provision of shade nets, plant protection equipment, horticultural tools, drip irrigation etc., organic farming, strengthening extension by appointing more technical personnel, capacity building of technical staff and farmers, integrated orchard management, provision of post-harvest infrastructure, grading and packing facilities etc., for the all round development of horticultural sector in the district. The total investments required for the development of horticultural sector over the next five years period is Rs. 5063.56 lakh and they are expected to put horticulture on a higher growth trajectory of 5.14 per cent per year.
Sericulture in the Khamman district has just started to give further boost to sericulture development in the district, a massive investment of Rs. 215.47 lakh is planned over the next five years to sustain a 4.5 per cent growth per year. The catalytic development program will be strengthened in all respects to give a further boost to mulberry cultivation and silk production.
Khammam district has substantial populations of livestock and small ruminants. It is proposed to induct a large number of improved milch animals and heifer calves to up grade the quality of livestock. Universal coverage of all livestock and small ruminants by vaccination against foot and mouth disease in case of bovines and against the common diseases in case of small ruminants is planned to reduce the mortality and morbidity. Supply of feed to quality heifer calves, establishment of permanent fodder units, supply of chaff cutters, provision of mobile disease diagnostic laboratories and other measures required for the development of Animal Husbandry sector are planned with a total investment of Rs. 2379.40 lakh over the period of five years. The anticipated growth rate in the animal husbandry sector is expected to reach 6.1 per cent per year as a result of all the development investments planned. Similarly, fisheries sector will be developed through a set of initiatives for strengthening production and marketing of fish at a cost of Rs. 864.25 lakh over the next five years. These investments are expected to the fish production in the district over the next five years period at the rate of 8.0 per cent per year.