Finance
On the occasion of Akshaya Trutiya and Krushak Divas, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik transferred approximately Rs 800 crore directly into the bank accounts of 40 lakh small and marginal farmers across the state, excluding Jharsuguda, as part of the Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (KALIA) scheme.
Jharsuguda district has been excluded from the benefit due to the implementation of the model code of conduct in connection with by-elections to the Brajrajngar Assembly seat in the district.
The Chief Minister advised farmers to use the funds for farming activities and to improve farm practises.
Speaking at the event via video conferencing, the Chief Minister stated that farmers are the backbone of our economy.
Patnaik stated that our farmers have played an important role not only in Odisha’s food security but also in the food security of the entire country, bringing glory to the state. He expressed gratitude to the farmers.
While stating that agriculture development and farmer welfare are the most important programmes of the State government, Patnaik stated that more than Rs 20,000 crore has been budgeted for agriculture this year.
During the course of the programme, eight new agricultural development programmes were launched. The Millet Mission and the Special Programme for Promotion of Integrated Farming (SPPIF) were extended, in addition to the launch of the Jackfruit Mission and ReWARD (Rejuvenating Watershed for Agricultural Resilience through Innovative Development) programmes.
It is worth noting that, while Rs 97 crore has been allocated for the promotion of jackfruit cultivation in nine districts through the Jackfruit Mission, Rs 500 crore has been allocated for improving land productivity through scientific watershed rejuvenation through the ReWARD scheme.
Similarly, while Rs 2,808 crore has been set aside for farmers in 182 blocks across 19 districts under the Odisha Millet Mission, Rs 239 crore has been set aside for the inclusion of 1.8 lakh farming families across eight districts under the Odisha Millet Mission (SPPIF).
These four programmes will cost a total of Rs 3644 crore.
According to the Chief Minister, the State government is emphasising capital investment in agriculture. We will continue to work to make farming a profitable occupation, he added.
The Chief Minister launched the ‘Krushak Odisha’ portal for the state’s farming community. Farmers can get needed services and advice by updating their data in it.
In addition, the Chief Minister launched the ‘Go-Sugam’ portal for farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs. This is the country’s first single-window service for farmers.
The Agriculture Department of the State Government signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the International Food Policy Research Institute to develop a viable policy for increasing farmers’ income in agriculture and allied fields (IFPRI).
The Chief Minister unveiled the Farmer Producer Organization’s guidelines for farmer empowerment.
