Bhubaneswar: On the auspicious occasion of Nuakhai today Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik disbursed assistance under KALIA (Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation) scheme to 44,56,000 farmer families. Patnaik disbursed the assistance at a function organised through video conferencing. This assistance has been given for the Rabi crop.
According to an official press release, an amount of Rs 2,000 has been transferred to the bank account of each farmer’s family.
While these beneficiaries include 43,88,000 small and marginal farmers, 68,750 are landless farmer families.
Extending Nuakhai greetings to all at a function organised on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that farmers are our pride. He said that he wants his State’s farmers to live with pride and self-esteem. Farmers should be included in sharing the fruits of development, he added.
The Chief Minister informed that as of date Rs 12,500 crore has been disbursed to farmer families of the State under the KALIA scheme.
He said that he wishes that children from farmer families join in good professions like doctors and engineers. By this, they can bring glory to their families and the whole of the State.
It is worth mentioning here that the State government provides KALIA Scholarships to the children of KALIA beneficiaries.
The Chief Minister informed that for the benefit of the farmers the State government is paying the premium for crop insurance. This year more than 22 lakh farmers have already registered for crop insurance.
Further informing that the State government has floated several schemes for agriculture, the Chief Minister stated that farmers should take the benefit of these schemes and make Odisha prosperous in the field of agriculture.
It may be mentioned here that small and marginal farmers are being provided with direct assistance for purchasing seeds, fertilizers, pesticides and farm equipment for agriculture. This dispels the possibility of them being debt-ridden.
In addition to this landless farmers are being provided with livelihood assistance for rearing goats, chickens and ducks, beekeeping, mushroom farming, etc.
Speaking on the occasion, Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment Minister Ranendra Pratap Swain said that because of the foresight of the Chief Minister, several schemes are being implemented in the State for the development of agriculture.
Swain pointed out that among these KALIA scheme is unique and as a result, farmers are not depending on private financiers and money lenders in the villages. This has boosted the confidence of the farmers. In the last four years, the State has continuously achieved record production, he added.
Informing that the State government for the last few years has been into gender budgeting Swain said that at least 30-35 per cent of the money in this scheme is being spent on women.
On this occasion, a few KALIA beneficiaries described their experiences. Rani Sahu, who is studying at IGIT Saranga in Dhenkanal said that it was because of KALIA Scholarship she is able to study engineering, otherwise, maybe her dream would have remained unfulfilled, and her father would have taken a loan. She expressed her gratitude to the Chief Minister for this.
Similarly, a farmer of Balangir Binod Pradhan, Lachama Bhatra of Nabarangpur, and farmer Giridhari Giri of Balasore thanked the Chief Minister from their hearts for KALIA assistance. They said that it is due to KALIA assistance they are not taking loans. They all prayed for the Chief Minister’s good health and long life.
Secretary to CM (5T) VK Pandian conducted the programme.
Development Commissioner Anu Garg, Cooperation Secretary Arvind Agarwal and other senior officers were present in the programme. Officers and beneficiaries from different districts were connected to the programme through video conferencing.
Principal Secretary of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment Dr Arabinda Kumar Padhee gave the welcome address and Director of Agriculture Prem Chandra Choudhary offered the vote of thanks in the programme.
