The Department of Agriculture is analysing the constraints causing productivity gap in different major crops in the district as part of its on-going action plan 2012-13.
Studies suggests that the major constraints affecting the crop productivity are poor soil health, lack of efficient irrigation facility and water reach to tail-end areas and low degree of farm mechanization and inadequate extension.
In paddy cultivation, non adoption of green manure and grain legumes preceding rice in kharif and indiscriminate use of nitrogenous fertilizers and top dressing of complex fertilizers containing phosphorous apart from improper nursery management, micro-nutrient deficiency, low plant population and over-aged seedlings, among others, were contributing to low paddy production.
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In pulses, non adoption of seed rate and location specific high yielding varieties and non adoption of seed treatment and proper plant protection management were the reasons for poor production levels. Failure in application of phosphorous fertilizers and micro-irrigation systems has also contributed to poor crop performance.
In oil seeds cultivation poor mechanization and management of stem and bud necrosis, non adoption of micro-irrigation systems and non-usage of quality seed, seed treatment and low usage of gypsum are the main constraints.
The agriculture officers as part of measures to boost productivity levels suggested several interventions at village and mandal levels including using of green manure, reclamation of problematic soils and soil correction of micro-nutrient deficiencies. Some of the strategies recommended including capacity enhancement for farmers on specific nutrient requirement for paddy, training farmers on over-aged seedlings management, supplying of paddy transplanting machines on subsidy, imparting training on weed and integrated pest management.
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In-charge Joint Director Agriculture D.Kurma Rao told The Hindu that the constraints were being identified for low agriculture production and strategies worked out to tackle them. Farmers are also being educated on adoption of healthy agricultural practices through the farmers field schools and also on the steps that should be taken to tackle productivity gaps and neutralise decline in crop production.