A careful analysis of the computed Agricultural Development Indices for different districts of Orissa reveals that the four coastal districts (Balasore, Cuttack, Puri and Ganjam) and two districts of central table land area (Sambalpur and Bolangir) are agriculturally more advanced than other districts in the three reference years over three decades (1980-81, 1998-99).

A critical evaluation of the area yield crop insurance scheme implemented in the state of Orissa reveals that it has several flaws and there is a need to redesign it as crop insurance scheme to increase the breadth of coverage, improve the operational efficiency and enhance financial performance.