Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on the occasion of Utkala Divas, extended KALIA assistance to farmers of Odisha. This assistance has been given for the farming work in the current Kharif season.
Farmers from all regions of the state except Jharsuguda have received this assistance. More than 43 lakh farmer families have been given assistance of Rs 877 crore through their bank accounts.
On this occasion, congratulating the farmers Utkala Divas, the Chief Minister said that the development of the state is linked with the welfare of the farmers, “so we started the new financial year by providing welfare on Utkal Divas”.
Stating that Odisha is self-reliant in the production of food grains today, it can provide food to the country’s food reserves, and the Chief Minister gave the credit of this glory to lakhs of farmers of the state.
Stating that the state government has taken many steps for the improvement of agriculture, the Chief Minister advised them to use more machines and modern equipment in agriculture.
The state government is implementing several grain-based missions to increase the production of nutritious food in the state and improve the farmers’ income, he advised the farmers to focus on crop diversification.
Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Ranendra Pratap Swain said that KALIA Yojana has made the farmers self-reliant. Farmers’ morale has improved with relief from farm loans.
On this occasion, some farmers – Gopinath Pangi of Malkangari, Sulochana Nayak of Pipili, Dipanjali of Bargarh gave their views on KALIA and the changes it has brought to their lives.
Kiran Kumar Sahu, who received the scholarship from Kukudakhandi block of Ganjam district, described how he got the opportunity to study medicine at Berhampur MKCG Medical College today with this help.
Secretary to CM (5T) VK Pandian conducted the programme. In this program, advisors of KALIA Yojana, Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena, and Development Commissioner Anu Garg were present.
Dr Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Principal Secretary, Agriculture, delivered the welcome speech and the Director of Agriculture Prem Chandra Chaudhary proposed vote of thanks.
