Introduction and Expansion of Improved Pigeonpea (Arhar) Production Technology in Rainfed Upland Ecosystems of Odisha. Project Completion Report (2011-2015) and 2014-2015 Annual Accomplishment Report

While 70% of the population lives in the rainfed upland ecosystem of Odisha, around 85% of the workforce depends on agriculture. There are about 8.7 million hectares of agricultural lands in the state of which 70% are rainfed. Production of pulses has been reduced to 56.4% of the total agricultural area, in the last ten years. The districts of Rayagada, Kalahandi, Boudh, Bolangir and Nuapada were identified by the project because of their dry and rainfed ecology. About 53,350 hectares of total tillable area is suitable for new high yielding pigeonpea varieties and hybrids in the five districts. The project intends to introduce and expand the production of high yielding pigeonpea varieties and hybrids by means of adaptation, selection and promotion through a farmer participatory approach...