Cash Crops and Horticulture in Odisha

Sugarcane Cultivation

Sugarcane is one of the traditional cash crops of Odisha, cultivated on approximately 45,000 to 55,000 hectares, concentrated primarily in the Aska region of Ganjam district, the Nayagarh valley, the irrigated tracts of Sambalpur and Bargarh districts, and parts of Cuttack and Jajpur. The Aska Cooperative Sugar Industries, established in 1963, is one of Odisha’s oldest functioning sugar mills and the anchor of sugarcane cultivation in southern Odisha. Sugarcane requires assured irrigation and a growing period of 10-12 months, making it a long-duration crop that occupies the field for nearly the entire year. The yield of sugarcane in Odisha — around 60-70 tonnes per hectare — is below the national average of about 80 tonnes per hectare, reflecting the sub-optimal management and varietal use. The sugar recovery rate (the percentage of sugar extracted from cane) is also relatively low at 9-10 per cent. Challenges confronting sugarcane cultivation include the delayed payments by sugar mills, competition for water with rice, and the lack of mechanisation in harvesting. The state has been encouraging ethanol production from sugarcane as a diversification strategy, in line with the national ethanol blending programme.

Cotton: The White Gold of Western Odisha

Cotton cultivation in Odisha is largely a post-1950s phenomenon, expanded rapidly with the introduction of high-yielding varieties and hybrids. Today, cotton occupies approximately 1.5 lakh hectares, concentrated overwhelmingly in the western districts — Bolangir, Kalahandi, Nuapada, Rayagada, and parts of Ganjam. The black cotton soils (Vertisols) of this region, combined with the warm, semi-arid climate, provide suitable conditions for cotton. Almost the entire area is under rain-fed cultivation, which makes yields highly variable and dependent on the monsoon. The average lint yield is about 400-500 kilograms per hectare. Cotton is a risky crop for small farmers due to its high input costs (seeds, pesticides, fertilisers) and the volatility of market prices. The introduction of Bt cotton has increased yields and reduced pesticide use for bollworm, but the high seed cost and susceptibility to sucking pests remain concerns. Cotton from Odisha is ginned primarily in the local ginning mills of Bolangir and Rayagada and marketed to textile mills in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and within Odisha. The state has been making efforts to promote organic cotton cultivation in the tribal areas, targeting the premium export market.

Coconut and Plantation Crops

Coconut is the most important plantation crop of Odisha, grown on approximately 1.1 lakh hectares, almost entirely in the coastal districts of Puri, Ganjam, Cuttack, Kendrapara, and Jagatsinghpur. The sandy coastal soils, high humidity, and moderate temperatures are ideal for coconut palms. Odisha ranks among the top coconut-producing states in India, with an annual production of about 320-350 million nuts. Coconut is a multipurpose crop — the nut is used for culinary purposes and oil extraction; the husk supports a significant coir industry; the shell is used for charcoal and handicrafts; the fronds are used for thatching and fencing; and toddy (fermented sap) is tapped from the inflorescences. The coir industry in Odisha is concentrated in Puri and Ganjam districts, providing employment to thousands, particularly women.

Besides coconut, arecanut (betel nut) and cashew are important plantation crops. Arecanut is grown in the coastal and riverine belts, often intercropped with coconut. Cashew has emerged as a significant cash crop in the lateritic uplands of Koraput, Rayagada, Ganjam, and Dhenkanal districts, with Odisha’s cashew production exceeding 1 lakh tonnes annually. The cashew processing industry, however, remains underdeveloped, and a large proportion of the raw nuts is exported to processing units in other states, particularly Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Horticulture: Fruits, Vegetables, and Spices

The horticulture sector in Odisha has registered robust growth in the past two decades, driven by rising urban demand, improved road connectivity, and proactive government promotion through the National Horticulture Mission and the State Horticulture Mission. The total area under horticultural crops is approximately 7.5 lakh hectares, with an annual production of about 110 lakh tonnes.

Turmeric from Kandhamal district, known as Kandhamal Haldi, has received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag and is valued for its high curcumin content and organic cultivation practices. Ginger from Koraput and Ganjam is another important spice crop. Mango cultivation is widespread, with varieties such as Baiganpalli, Langra, Amrapali, and Dasheri being commercially grown. The Dhenkanal and Angul mango belt is particularly well-known. Banana is cultivated across the state, with the Champa and Dwarf Cavendish varieties being common. Citrus fruits, particularly sweet lime and mandarin oranges, are grown in the higher elevations of Mayurbhanj, Koraput, and Kandhamal. The establishment of food processing parks, cold storage facilities, and farmer producer organisations (FPOs) is intended to reduce post-harvest losses and improve market access for horticultural producers.

Floriculture and Medicinal Plants

Floriculture is an emerging sector in Odisha, with marigold, rose, gladiolus, tuberose, and jasmine being the principal flower crops. The proximity to the large urban markets of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack has encouraged floriculture in Khordha and Puri districts. The cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants — including lemongrass, citronella, palmarosa, ashwagandha, and sarpagandha — is promoted by the State Medicinal Plants Board, with cultivation clusters in the tribal districts. The growing demand for herbal products in the Ayurveda, cosmetics, and wellness industries provides a market opportunity for these crops, and their integration into the livelihood portfolios of tribal farmers is a priority for rural development policy.