KALIA, A Model Scheme For Farmers: Odisha CM

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday said that KALIA (Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation) scheme, launched by the state government, is not only a model scheme for the farmers of Odisha but also for those in the country as a whole.

Inaugurating the state-level annual farmers’ convention, ‘Krushi Odisha-2019’, at the Biju Patnaik Ground at Baramunda here, he said the novel scheme will benefit about 92 per cent farmers of Odisha comprising small and marginal farmers, sharecroppers and agricultural labourers. “The scheme has the provision of providing interest-free loan for Kharif and Rabi crops. Besides, it has other benefits like insurance cover and other livelihood facilities,” he pointed out.

Inviting the farmers to register themselves as the beneficiaries of the scheme, Naveen said that while the last date of the first phase registration ends today, the second phase registration would start from January 25 till February 5.

In the last four years, the Odisha government has provided irrigation facility to more than 8 lakh hectares with an investment of Rs 30,000 crore, the Chief Minister said, while talking about the 10 lakh hectare irrigation-cover promise he had made to the electorate during 2014 assembly election.

Claiming that Odisha has been a pioneering state in agrarian reforms, he said the state government has been presenting separate agriculture budget since last six years with massive increase in allocation for this sector. “My government has intensified its efforts to enhance farmers’ income with sustainable agricultural practices by promoting efficient extension and production technology, post-harvest solutions, effective value-addition and remunerative market options,” the Chief Minister pointed out.

Thanking the efforts of the farmers for whom Odisha has been conferred with Krishi Karman Puraskar for the fifth time, Naveen said the state has become self-sufficient in food grain production and supplying grains to the neighbouring states.

In his address, well-known agricultural economist Dr Ashok Gulati praised the efforts of state government in poverty reduction and doubling the income of the farmers. The KALIA scheme of the state government will be a path-finder for the farmers across the country to solve their problems, he added.

Seminars on various topics including organic farming, marine and inland fish processing and role of women in agriculture will be held during the five-day convention, which is being jointly organised by the Department Of Agriculture And Farmers’ Empowerment, Government of Odisha and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).