SWOT ANALYSIS AND LISTING OF CRITICAL GAPS

                SWOT analysis was made for the district before proposing plans, programmes and projects for implementation under RSVY.

3.1 The strengths seen in the Districts are:

1.        Good rainfall (around 2000mm) and favourable climate for taking up a large variety of activities under agriculture and allied sector and poverty reduction sector.

2.         Adequate land resources with good soil depth, fertile soil; and most of the land is not yet utilized to its full potential.

3.         Availability of ground water at shallow depth and good natural recharge that provides scope for using the resource.

4.         Presence of good number of water bodies as ponds, beels. Existence of swamps and low lying areas that could be reclaimed and developed in to water bodies to support irrigation requirement and  pisciculture.

5.         The population of District is mostly non-vegetarian. There is a great demand for pork, mutton, chicken and marketing is not difficult for piggery, goatery and poultry units.

6.         There is chilling facility to support diary development. It has limited capacity but awareness is created and the District has also strength in promoting diary including processing of milk.

7.         Sericulture is practiced traditionally in many parts of the District. Muga and Eri silk is associated with the culture and tradition of the people.

8.         There are surface streams; some flowing perennially and is a strength in the District for construction of check dams and provide small scale irrigation.

9.         Cane and Bamboo naturally grows in the Districts. People like and use items for decoration and other purposed made up of bamboo and cane.

10.       There are numbers of medicine plants in the District grown indigenously. The scope for cultivation of medicinal plants is also vast.

3.2 Weaknesses:

1.         Substantial portion of the District is vulnerable to be affected by floods during the monsoon.

2.         There are many low lying areas where only semi=-deep and deep water paddy can be grown and it poses as a limitation for scoop diversifications.

3.         The road condition to many plans is bad and is a impediment to movement of goods and people which is necessary for accelerating development.

4.         There are no mineral resources for taking up industrial activity.

5.         Credit facilities available for farmers to purchase input to take up remunerative farming systems are inadequate.

6.         Good quality seeds for various crops are not available and is therefore seen as an weakness in developing agricultural economy.

7.         People lack knowledge on the potentiality and utility of medicinal plants and there use is limited in health care activity.

8.         Marketing system for agricultural, sericulture and live stock products is not well developed.

9.         The weavers and artisans have not acquired skills for producing better quality products  and the looms/machines are not fully available.

10.       These are not enough nurseries in the District to meet the need of seedling and saplings of horticulture and plantation crops.

11.       There is disruption of road links during monsoon season in some parts of the District.

12.       Limited electrification of village and frequent power failures is weakness in the District.

3.3 Opportunities

1.         There exist a good opportunity for Muga and Eri silk production.

2.         Introduction of high yielding paddy varieties in the traditional paddy growing areas and expansion of area under rabi crops, and crop of paddy, vegetables and other horticultural crops are feasible in the district.

3.         Live-stock production can be increased. There is opportunity for pig rearing, goat rearing. Poultry and duckery in the district. Milk production can be increased by taking up diary development programmes.

4.         Ginger and turmeric can be grown in many parts of the district of farmers are property motivated.

5.         Banana grows well in district. Coconut can also be grown in many villages. Banana, coconut, arecanu1 and litchi plantations can be developed.

6.         There is ample opportunity for cultivation of medicinal plants and semi- processing of the produces.

7.         There is great opportunity for Vanilla cultivation in entire district.

8.         Hand loom and textiles provided a good opportunity for income generation particularly by the ladies.

3. Threat

1.         The recurring flood is the biggest perceived threat in the flood prone areas.

2.         Production increase without arrangement for their transportation of the produce from the interior places where it is produced to market center and subsequently giving remunerative prices is a challenge.

3.         The humidity being high in the Districts incidence of pests and diseases can be a threat to crops. Surveillance and timely plant protection measures will be necessary.

4.         Frequent power failure and disconnection of electricity due to non payment could be a threat in lift schemes for irrigation and drinking water supply and small industries and electrically operated machineries.

3.5 Critical gaps

            The District has remained backward even after 54 years of independence. There are many difficulties or gaps which must be solved to bring development in the District. Some of the critical gaps that needs immediate attention furnished below.

1.         Lack of irrigation facilities resulting in to mono cropping.

2.         Non availability of safe drinking water.

3.         Silt/Sand casted area remains fallow without proper technology

4.         Non availability of planting materials and nursery facilities

5.         Lack of finance with the farmers to purchase inputs for crop intensification and crop diversification.

6.         Lack of awareness and facilities for compost making.

7.         Lack of knowledge and technologies and facilities for cash crops and low volume high income enterprises in agricultures.

8.         Insufficient hatchery facilities for fish seed production

9.         Non availability of quality piglets to take up large scale piggery

10.       Non existence of processing facilities for agriculture produces and live-stock production like pork meat.

11.       Lack of knowledge on modem hand looms and their non availability

12.       Insufficient common facility center or rural growth center.

13.       Absence of infrastructure for tourism.

14.       Poorer condition of roads and lack of C.D works like culverts, bridges etc.

15.       Non availability of assured electricity.

16.       Lack of slaughter houses and freezing facilities

17.       Lack of cold storages.

18.       Undeveloped market facilities.

The awareness level of people is low. Around 50% of the population is tribal population. Their knowledge and skill level is also a gap and must be improved. These critical gaps are considered in formulation of district plan.