Rice yield forecasting for north central plateau zone of Odisha

Abstract

Thirty seven years (1980-2016) of weather data and yield data of rice for 2 districts (Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj) of North Central plateau zone of Odisha was used to develop yield prediction equations. Models were validated with 2 years (2015 and 2016) data. Results indicated that models explained 79 and 56 percent variations for rice yield in Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj districts. The percent Mean Bias Error (MBE) was 2.87 and -1.03 and the percent Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) was 11.61 and 11.10 for Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj district respectively. This revealed that the models can be used to some extent for predicting the yield in different districts of North Central plateaue zone of Odisha. The outcomes are useful for taking decisions well in advance for transplanting of rice as well as for other input management and farm activities during different stages of the crop growing season.