Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday disbursed interest subvention of Rs 441.76 crore on farm loans benefitting 35 lakh farmers in the state.
The Chief Minister distributed the second phase of the farm loan interest subvention for the year 2022-23 at an event organised at the Convention Center of the Lok Seva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar.
All the cooperative banks and 2,409 primary agricultural cooperative societies of the state benefited from the concession on farm loan interest. In the first phase, an interest subvention of Rs 415.17 crore had been given. With this, farmers in the state received a total interest rebate of Rs 856.99 crore.
It may be mentioned here that farmers in the state do not have to pay any interest for crop loans up to Rs 1 lakh. Out of 35 lakh farmers, 30 lakh are small and marginal farmers, an official release said.
Addressing the farmers present on the occasion and those connected through video conferencing, the Chief Minister said that agriculture is the soul of Odisha’s economy as well as the basis of development. “The charioteers of our new Odisha, strong Odisha are our farmers, mothers, and young women. So I have always emphasised your empowerment,” he said.
Stating that a special budget has been made to empower the farmers, Naveen said interest-free agricultural loans up to Rs 1 lakh are being given, while Kalia education scholarship is being provided for the welfare of the families engaged in farming.
The Chief Minister noted that Kiran Sahu, a farmer’s son in Ganjam, received a scholarship to study in Berhampur Medical College.
The Chief Minister said that Odisha is the first state to provide interest-free loans to farmers and implement welfare schemes like Kalia. He expressed his happiness saying that due to today’s interest subvention, farmers will not have to pay a single rupee of interest.
Stating that the cooperative movement has become stronger today, the Chief Minister said, “Sixty percent of the crop credit is provided by the cooperative sector alone.”
Stating that the farmers are our pride, the Chief Minister said, “Due to their hard work and determination, Odisha has become a leading state in the country in the field of agriculture. I am working and will continue to work for the welfare of farmers.”
Attending the programme, Cooperation Minister Atanu Sabyasachi said that the state government under the leadership of the Chief Minister is working with commitment for the uplift of the farmers in the state.
On the occasion, three beneficiaries – Reena Sethi, Nikunj Bihari Kaap, and Savita Samantray – explained how they are able to sustain their families through farming and business due to interest concession on major loans. Expressing gratitude to the Chief Minister for this, they said that many families have become self-reliant today due to the interest rebate scheme.
