Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday said that the ‘Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation’ (KALIA) scheme implemented for welfare of farmers, is the best in the country.
The plan has brought smiles on the faces of farmers as it has helped alleviating their debt burden, the Chief Minister said as the State Government transferred Rs 920 crore to the account of nearly 42 lakh farmers across the State on the eve of Akshya Tritiya on Saturday.
Mr.Patnaik said, “Tomorrow will be a happy day for the farming families of the State as farming activities begins tomorrow.”
Mr.Patnaik while wishing the farmers and their families on the occasion said that the State Government has deposited Rs 920 crore in their bank accounts under the Kalia Yojana for Kharif 2021.
He hoped that the assistance would be used for agriculture and livelihoods.
Praising the sacrifices of the farmers he said, “The farmer is our pride and glory. There is no comparison between the sacrifices of the farmers for the country and the society” and added that no one can pay the price of the farmer’s sacrifice.
The Chief Minister wished the farmers prosperity and well being.
“Farmers in my state, stay well. May your income increase and your families prosper. I will continue to work for your wellbeing.
Mr.Patnaik said, the country is in the grip of the second wave of COVID-19 infection and lockdown is underway to control the infection.
“But there is no lockdown for the agricultural sector. So farmer brothers you continue to cooperate with the Government and participate in activities concerning development of agriculture,” he urged the farmers.
Mr.Patnaik prayed for good weather conditions during the year for good crops and prosperity of the farming families.
Notably, The Kalia Yojana is the state government’s agricultural welfare scheme to benefit small farmers, marginal farmers and landless farming families.
With the assistance landless farmers increase their livelihoods by investing in their lands while landless farmers involve themselves in goat keeping, poultry and ducks.
Minister for Agriculture and Farmer Empowerment and Higher Education Arun Sahu highlighted how the Kalia Yojana has been beneficial for farming families during the Kovid period.
Western Odisha Development Council Chairman and Chief Adviser to the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary and senior officials were present