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Why is rice the main crop grown in Odisha?

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Puri: Jagannatha temple — Odisha Jagannatha temple, Puri, Odisha, India.

Rice is the primary crop in Odisha, occupying approximately three-fourths of the state's cultivated land. This dominance is supported by the state's geography, particularly the fertile coastal plains formed by alluvial deposits from major rivers like the Mahanadi.12

The availability of water is a critical factor in this agricultural focus. The state's river systems, including the Mahanadi, provide essential irrigation through canal networks, such as those supported by the Hirakud Dam. These irrigation facilities, along with the presence of various river basins, allow for the cultivation of rice even in areas where soil quality might otherwise be modest. While the state faces challenges such as variable monsoon rains and limited fertilizer use, the combination of alluvial soil and established water management infrastructure makes rice the most viable and widely sown crop for the state's farmers.312