Agriculture in Ganjam District: Cashew and groundnut of south Odisha
Ganjam is one of Odisha's notable agricultural districts, best known for cashew and groundnut of south Odisha. Its farmland is fed by Rushikulya and sits on predominantly coastal alluvial & red soil, a combination that favours rice, sugarcane, groundnut. Unlike a generic state average, Ganjam's cropping is shaped by this specific soil-and-water mix, which is why the crops and schemes below are weighted to what actually grows and sells here.
What Grows Best in Ganjam
The district's main crops are Rice (Paddy), Sugarcane, Groundnut, Cashew Nut. rice leads the local economy, so Ganjam farmers should track the Rice (Paddy) rate closely and plan sowing, inputs and storage around it. The coastal alluvial & red soil here is fertile and well-drained, ideal for wheat, rice, sugarcane and vegetables.
Crop Calendar for Ganjam (Sowing & Harvest)
Based on Ganjam's main crops, here is when to sow and harvest locally. Plan inputs, labour and credit around these windows:
| Crop | Season & Window | All-India rate (3 October 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| 🍚 Rice (Paddy) | Kharif (Sow: Jun-Jul, Harvest: Oct-Nov) | ₹3,680/qtl |
| 🎋 Sugarcane | Plant: Feb-Mar (spring) or Oct-Nov (autumn), Harvest: 10-12 months | ₹350/qtl |
| 🥜 Groundnut | Kharif (Sow: Jun-Jul, Harvest: Oct-Nov) | ₹6,913/qtl |
| 🌰 Cashew Nut | Mar-May | ₹10,500/qtl |
Soil, Water & Irrigation in Ganjam
With coastal alluvial & red soil and water from the Rushikulya, the priority for Ganjam farmers is matching irrigation to the crop. Drip and sprinkler subsidies and a solar pump can cut water and power costs significantly. A free soil health card tells you exactly which nutrients your plot needs.
Best Way to Sell rice from Ganjam
Since rice is central to Ganjam, time your sale using the live rice rate. Compare rates at the nearest APMC mandi with the Odisha price page. Grade and clean produce for a 15-20% premium, and list on eNAM to reach buyers beyond Ganjam.
Mandi Prices in Ganjam
These are the crops actually trading in Ganjam's markets (Digapahandi APMC), with the modal price per quintal reported on 1 June 2026:
| Commodity | Min | Max | Modal Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brinjal | ₹2,200 | ₹2,600 | ₹2,400 |
Source: Agmarknet daily arrivals for Ganjam, Odisha, as of 1 June 2026.
What Ganjam Actually Grows: Official Crop Statistics
In 2024-25, Ganjam's largest crops by area were Rice (Paddy), Sesame (Til), Groundnut. Rice (Paddy) alone covered 2,62,254 ha (94% of the area under the crops listed below), with a yield of 2,314 kg/ha, 7% below the Odisha average. The biggest shifts since 2019-20: Groundnut area +157%.
| Crop | Area (ha) | Production (tonnes) | Yield (kg/ha) | Odisha avg yield | Area change since 2019-20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rice (Paddy) | 2,62,254 | 6,06,838 | 2,314 | 2,485 | -7% |
| Sesame (Til) | 10,162 | 2,280 | 224 | 265 | +462% |
| Groundnut | 2,923 | 6,803 | 2,328 | 2,096 | +157% |
| Maize (Corn) | 2,492 | 7,252 | 2,910 | 3,071 | +393% |
| Sugarcane | 285 | 18,074 | 63,400 | 51,338 | +36% |
| Mustard (Rapeseed) | 166 | 18 | 106 | 342 | +1177% |
Source: Directorate of Economics & Statistics, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Govt of India (final estimates), via UPAg. Field crops only - vegetables, fruit and spices are counted separately. Odisha average = sum of the state's district estimates.
Climate & Sowing Windows in Ganjam
Ganjam receives about 1489 mm of rain in an average year, 72% of it in June-September. The wettest month is July (305 mm). Days are hottest in April (average high 36°C) and nights coolest in January (average low 18°C).
- Rain typically first crosses 100 mm a month in May, the usual cue for kharif sowing here.
| Month | Rain (mm) | Avg high | Avg low |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 10 | 26° | 18° |
| February | 16 | 30° | 20° |
| March | 22 | 33° | 24° |
| April | 39 | 36° | 26° |
| May | 100 | 35° | 28° |
| June | 194 | 32° | 28° |
| July | 305 | 30° | 27° |
| August | 300 | 30° | 26° |
| September | 267 | 30° | 26° |
| October | 186 | 29° | 25° |
| November | 36 | 27° | 21° |
| December | 14 | 26° | 18° |
Source: NASA POWER long-term monthly averages (satellite and model based, so they can understate rain on coasts and hills) for the centre of Ganjam district (19.609, 84.7081). These are normals, not a forecast for any one year; for this week see the farm weather forecast.
For Ganjam Farmers: Solar Pumps & Tractors
Districts Near Ganjam
Before you sell, compare mandis in neighbouring districts too (straight-line distance between district centres):
Land records and Farmer ID in Odisha
Government Schemes for Ganjam Farmers
Farmers in Ganjam are eligible for PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Kisan Credit Card, Soil Health Card Scheme, PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, eNAM - National Agriculture Market and more. For Ganjam's rice growers, crop insurance, KCC and irrigation subsidies are the priority. Apply at the Ganjam district agriculture office, a CSC, or online via the Subsidy Finder.