Comprehensive Rice Fallow Management Programme

Launched for Rabi 2024–25, the Comprehensive Rice Fallow Management Programme (CRFM) is a flagship initiative of the Department of Agriculture & Farmers' Empowerment, Government of Odisha. It aims to utilize rice fallow land for pulses and oilseeds cultivation. Based on studies by OUAT and IRRI, the programme targets the enhancement of cropping intensity, soil health restoration, and farmer income through scientific crop demonstrations. The scheme is implemented across 18 districts using a cluster-based approach with a minimum of 20 ha contiguous areas. Inputs such as quality seeds, bio-fertilizers, micronutrients, IPM devices, and dolomite for acid soil correction are provided in kind. Monitoring is conducted through the ADAPT Portal, geo-tagging, satellite imagery, and third-party evaluation to ensure transparency and effectiveness.

Objectives

• Exploitation of residual soil moisture to enhance Rabi crop production in rice fallow areas.
• Increase cropping intensity by covering five lakh hectares under crop demonstration during Rabi 2024–25.
• Upscale cultivation of pulses and oilseeds in rice fallow land.
• Improve soil health by increasing organic carbon content and soil biomass.
• Enhance farmers’ income, livelihood, and nutritional security.

• Farmers receive a "cafeteria" of inputs based on the specific crop being grown (e.g., Green Gram, Black Gram, Bengal Gram, Lentil, Mustard, or Sesamum). These also include: Certified Seeds, Soil Health Nutrients, Plant Protection (Bio-pesticides, botanicals, and PP chemicals) & IPM Devices (Light Traps, Pheromone Traps, and Lures).- Soil health improvement through the supply of dolomite for acid soil management, where applicable.
• Cluster-based crop demonstrations with scientific supervision, crop cutting experiments, and yield assessment.
• Awareness campaigns, field days, farmer training, documentation, and extension support.
• Market linkage facilitation and procurement support under Price Support Scheme (PSS), wherever applicable.

1. The applicant should be a resident/domicile of the state of Odisha.
2. The applicant should be a farmer cultivating land identified as rice fallow during the Rabi season.
3. The applicant should be selected as part of a contiguous cluster of a minimum of 20 hectares.
4. The applicant should possess a valid Krushak Odisha (KO) ID.
5. The applicant should agree to geo-tagging of land and participation in crop demonstrations.

Preference / Priority / Reservation / Relaxation

• At least 30% of beneficiaries must be women farmers.

Offline

Step 1: The implementation begins at the state level, where the Directorate of Agriculture & Food Production, Odisha, determines the district-wise and agency-wise programme targets. Once these are set, the Chief District Agriculture Officer (CDAO) receives the approved action plan and detailed scheme guidelines. To ensure a synchronized rollout, the CDAO convenes a district-level coordination meeting involving Agriculture District Officers (ADOs), Block Agriculture Officers (BAOs), Assistant Agriculture Officers (AAOs), and the selected Implementing Agency (IA) to communicate specific roles, project timelines, and operational modalities.
Step 2: Following the planning phase, the Implementing Agency launches awareness campaigns at the Gram Panchayat (GP) level. These campaigns are supported by Krushak Sathis, PRI members, and block officials to ensure a wide reach. During this stage, eligible farmers residing in identified rice fallow areas are educated on the programme's objectives, the specific crops to be grown, cluster requirements, and the technical conditions for participation, such as geo-tagging.
Step 3: Identification and Selection of Beneficiary Clusters

• Rice fallow areas are identified and organized into contiguous clusters of a minimum of 20 hectares. - Beneficiaries are selected at GP headquarters in the presence of VAW/AO, AAO, BAO, PRI members, and IA representatives.

• Selection ensures representation of General, SC, and ST categories, with at least 30% women beneficiaries. - Each selected farmer must possess a valid Krushak Odisha (KO) ID.
  Step 4: Once selected, the Implementing Agency and Department Officials transition the data into the digital space by uploading beneficiary and cluster details into the ADAPT Portal. This step involves the mandatory geo-tagging of each demonstration cluster as well as the individual plots of every beneficiary. KO IDs are strictly verified and linked within the portal to ensure the authenticity of the records and to prevent any duplication of benefits.
  Step 5: To ensure scientific cultivation, soil samples are collected from beneficiary plots prior to sowing with the assistance of Krushak Sathis. These samples are formally registered by the VAW or AO and sent to the notified laboratories for detailed analysis. Based on the results, Soil Health Cards (SHCs) are generated and distributed to the farmers. After the harvest, a second round of soil sampling is conducted to evaluate changes in soil pH and organic carbon levels, a process overseen by scientists from the Regional Research and Technology Transfer Stations (RRTTS) of OUAT.
  Step 6: The Implementing Agency is responsible for submitting advance indents for all necessary agricultural inputs. Certified seeds are sourced from OSSC, OUAT, NSC, or other government PSUs, while other critical inputs like bio-fertilizers, micronutrients, and plant protection chemicals are procured through OAIC Ltd. Specialized Integrated Pest Management (IPM) tools, specifically light traps and pheromone traps, are procured from NRRI Cuttack and CSIR–IICT Hyderabad. All inputs are pre-positioned at FIAC godowns, where they undergo rigorous verification by block officials for quantity, quality, and batch numbers before being entered into the stock register.
  Step 7: The distribution of seeds and inputs is carried out at the village level, proportionate to the demonstration area of each beneficiary. This distribution is conducted in the presence of department officials and PRI members to maintain transparency. The final distribution lists are countersigned by the VAW, AAO, and BAO. During this phase, officials capture photographs and videos of the distribution and subsequent sowing, all of which are uploaded to the ADAPT Portal immediately upon completion.
  Step 8: Crop demonstrations are conducted strictly as per the approved SOP and cafeteria of cost & the continuous monitoring is carried out through:

  • 100% verification by VAW/AO
  • 10% by AAO
  • 5% by BAO
  • 3% by ADO
  • 1% by CDAO

1. Crop Cutting Experiments (CCE) are conducted with a minimum of 3 demonstration plots and 1 control plot per cluster. 1. Yield data, photographs, and reports are uploaded to the ADAPT Portal.
2. Satellite-based monitoring is carried out using remote sensing data by IRRI.

Step 9: The concluding phase involves the submission of progress reports and Utilization Certificates, which must be jointly signed by the Implementing Agency and the CDAO. The District Level Coordination Committee (DLCC) reviews the project at the beginning, mid-season, and end-season stages to track milestones. Once all records are verified and data entries are finalized, the CDAO formally approves the programme's completion in the ADAPT Portal. Finally, a post-project third-party evaluation is carried out by government-empanelled agencies to assess the overall impact of the project.

• Krushak Odisha (KO) ID - https://krushak.odisha.gov.in/website/home- Land details for geo-tagging (as recorded in ADAPT Portal)- Soil sample (collected through department mechanism)- Farmers Identity Documents (Aadhaar Card, etc.)