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VOL. 8, ISSUE 1 (2026)
Spatial assessment of organic paddy (BPT-5204) cultivation suitability in Srikakulam District, Andhra Pradesh: A cluster-based field study
Authors
Rajula Bheemannagari Deepika, Kondala Lokesh, Rajesh Reddy, Sahana S Ballary
Abstract
Srikakulam district in north coastal Andhra
Pradesh is a historically significant paddy-growing region where the fine-grain
variety BPT-5204 (Samba Mahsuri) has been cultivated for decades. Despite its
agro-climatic suitability and consumer preference, systematic, spatial
assessments of which areas within the district can support a transition to
organic paddy cultivation have not been reported in the peer-reviewed
literature. This study addresses that gap. Using secondary district-level
agricultural statistics for 2019-20, mandals were ranked by paddy cultivated
area and total production to identify priority zones. Primary data were
collected from 500 paddy-growing farmers (minimum 2 acres land holding) across
15 purposively selected villages, grouped into two geographically compact
clusters. Results identified three mandals Polaki, Srikakulam, and
Narasannapeta, as the highest-priority zones, together accounting for the
leading positions in both area and production among all 38 mandals. Within
these mandals, 15 villages were mapped using GPS-aided QGIS and divided into
two clusters of 7 and 8 villages, respectively. The socio-economic profile of
the 500 sampled farmers reveals dominance of small and marginal landholders
with SSC-to-Intermediate level schooling and small family sizes. Paddy is
universal as the kharif crop; rabi diversification involves pulses and sesamum
in Cluster-1 and paddy and pulses in Cluster-2. Canal-and-borewell irrigation
predominates, and cattle ownership is significantly higher in Cluster-2 (78%)
compared to Cluster-1 (60%). The study provides an evidence-based framework for
delineating organic paddy cultivation zones and characterising the
socio-economic context of prospective organic farmers.
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Pages:287-292
How to cite this article:
Rajula Bheemannagari Deepika, Kondala Lokesh, Rajesh Reddy, Sahana S Ballary "Spatial assessment of organic paddy (BPT-5204) cultivation suitability in Srikakulam District, Andhra Pradesh: A cluster-based field study". International Journal of Agriculture and Plant Science, Vol 8, Issue 1, 2026, Pages 287-292
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