Livelihood Impacts of Commercial Maize Production in the Plateau Ecology of Odisha, India.

Large tracts of land in the upland plateau ecology of Odisha are not suitable for rice production and are largely left fallow. In Mayurbhanj district of the plateau area, nearly half of the total cultivable area (43%) falls into the upland category that is not very suitable for growing rice. The tribal farming population either leave this land fallow or grow short duration rice during rainy season with very low productivity. Some farmers also grow traditional maize varieties with low yields and mostly for household consumption. Since 2013, CSISA has been engaged in efforts to sustainably intensify maize production in Mayurbhanj district, working towards enhancing farmers’ access to modern inputs (especially hybrid seed and machinery services for line-sowing), providing training on best agronomic practices, and linking them with output markets, especially poultry feed mills located in the coastal area of Odisha. While there is evidence that the number of farmers engaged in commercial maize production is rapidly growing, there has been no systematic and representative assessment of farmers’ maize growing practices and the impacts that commercial maize production has had on farmers’ livelihoods. The objectives of this study are: (1) current maize growing practices, (2) marketing practices and profitability of maize production, and (3) livelihood impacts of commercial maize production in a remote tribal area of Odisha.