The area has limited irrigation facilities. Many small perennial streams however flow which can be harnessed for Khariff as well as Rabi crops. During the years, attempts have been made to tap rain water through Water harvesting Structures, Diversion weirs but much remains to be done in this regard.

    The main crops grown are paddy in the plain land and millets, Nizer on the slopes. Mustard, Castor, til, pulses, maize and other vegetables are grown in small patches close to village habitations. Despite of extension efforts over the past years, the standard of agriculture in the area has not progressed to the desired extent. Generally, long duration varieties of crops are grown in the hope of better yields. PODU (Shifting Cultivation) is still practiced in hill slopes. Very small patches are cropped during Rabi. Although there has been comparatively more use of fertilizer, yet the intake is negligible.

Steps taken are:

(i) Developing irrigation facilities like WHS, Diversion Weirs, Lift Points etc.;
(ii) Providing education and training facilities to tribal farmers;
(iii) Rain-water management sponsoring early maturing high yielding varieties;
(iv) Introducing new crops and varieties suited to adverse weather conditions with high return;
(v) Adopting correct agronomical practices;
(vi) Supply of agril. equipments, Sprinklers etc.

b) Horticulture:

     The area has got wide prospects for vegetable cultivation. It is regarded as most profitable which will bring very attractive income for the tribals. This apart another useful programme in which the tribals will be interested is backyard plantation. As it is, the tribals grow jack-fruit, mango, papaya etc. in their backyard and it has been observed that the trees are looked after more or less properly. The quality of the trees and manure used by them however are not of the requisite standard. If better quality of planting materials could be made available to them coupled with appropriate extension measures, the tribal house holds will be capable of producing adequate quantities of fruits which would augment their income to a great extent.

     To support this Endeavour ITDA has encouraged Tribal youth in 35 GP's to raise G.P. level nurseries in recent past. The main Horticultural activities for STs are:

(i) Vegetable cultivation
(ii) Mushroom cultivation
(iii) Raising of Veg. Seedlings
(iv) Nursery and grafting of fruit and trees
(v) Plantation (Fruit bearing)
(vi) Off season Veg. Cultivation
(vii) Supply of minikits to the tribals

c) Irrigation:

     Bonai ITDA area has limited irrigation facilities. Although the rainfall is adequate for a fairly good khariff crop, its erratic distribution often renders the crop risky. The land surface being undulating, most of the rain water is lost as run off. The strategy, therefore, should go for rain water management besides other agronomical and crop-husbandry practices. Irrigation projects like W.H.S., Diversion weirs, Lift Points etc. are given priority besides extending assistance for Dug-wells, Pump sets, sprinklers etc. There is scope for improving the potential already available from Kuradhi Medium Irrigation Project having ayacut area of 8170 acres distributed over 22 villages of Lahunipara and Koira Blocks.

d) Sericulture:

    Tassar silk-worm rearing is a traditional occupation of a section of the tribals of this area. These tribal rearers are not in a position to harvest more than one crop of cocoons in a year due to poor financial condition. To overcome this difficulty standing on the way of silk-worm rearing, co-operativization of tassar tribal rearers, supply of quality silk-worm eggs departmentally and through established co-op. societies etc. are given priority to ensure that the tribals take up 2 to 3 crops in a year. To increase their income, they are imparted training in reeling, spinning and weaving. Marketing of Tassar cocoons, yarn and the products are taken care of by the Tassar Marketing Co-Op. Societies. ITDA has also extended finance (Revolving Fund) for strengthening these Co-Op. Societies run by the Sericulture Deptt.