A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering, School of Environment, Resources and Development

Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1993

Agricultural development, particularly in the Third World is of utmost importance, as considerable proportion of its people and almost all its poor are dependent on agriculture. Agricultural production i s influenced in the main by natural conditions like soil and water, besides socio-economic influences. This study has analyzed agricultural production practices in an irrigated area in the Mahanadi Delta Stage II, in Orissa, in the eastern sea board of the Indian sub-continent . Geographical Information System (GIS), particularly natural resource management software of ARC/INFO, was used to arrive at spatial attributes, resulting in delineation of different areas for specific crops. The existing socio - cultural practices of agricultural production in the area, was studied through questionnaire survey. The findings are illustrative of the influence of cultural practices in preferring certain crops over others, despite soil suitability. The area of cultivation for paddy, which is the staple food in the area, is higher than the suitable area. On the other hand, pulses, oilseeds and horticultural crops are cultivated in areas , significantly lower than what the soil suitability would suggest. Availability of irrigation through out t h e year encourages cultivation of paddy despite the official policy of promoting non-cereal crops, particularly in summer. Irrespective of the size of holding, land type (i.e. lowland, medium land or upland) and water availability principally, determine the crops to be grown. Subsistence requirements exert higher influence on cropping pattern of s mall farmers t h an the large farmers. Economic factors like market conditions have less significance for s mall farmers, compared to the large farmers. The study reveals the scope for growing sustainably, a number of crops in the area, depending upon soil suitability , provided efficient management of existing resources is encouraged. The farmers need to be motivated to sustain soil fertility through proper cropping plan . The present level of irrigation would suffice to grow crops in the whole area, provided proper water management is introduced. Irrigated farming is being increasingly emphasized for agricultural development everywhere. A careful agricultural land use planning and efficient management of water and soil are as essential as irrigation water in achieving sustainable production levels .