Odisha launches scheme for overall development of farmers

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Monday launched a Rs 10,180-crore scheme for overall development of farmers mainly small, marginal and landless farmers.

The Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (KALIA) scheme also includes a life insurance cover of Rs 2 lakh for farmers across the state, Patnaik said.

The scheme was launched via video conferencing at the state Secretariat here.

"KALIA scheme covers 92 per cent of cultivators, loanee as well as non-lonee farmers, share croppers and landless agriculture labourers," the chief minister said.

The scheme aims to take care of vulnerable agricultural families identified through gram panchayats and grant them crop loans at zero per cent interest, he said.

The state government has set a target to disburse Rs 5,000 each to farmers between January 22 and January 25 in the first phase. Collectors have been asked to identify the beneficiaries so that they could be given Rs 5,000 per family for Rabi cultivation, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister S N Patro said