Odisha Government has extended the farmers’ welfare scheme KALIA for three more years

Bhubaneswar:22/2/24: The Odisha Government has extended the farmers’ welfare scheme KALIA (Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation) for three more years and allocated a budget of Rs.6029.70 crores for 2024- 25 to 2026-27.

The decision has been taken for the hassle-free and smooth implementation of this welfare scheme to bring the farmers into the financial mainstream of society and to ensure their participation In the financial progress of the State.

The State Cabinet led by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik approved an estimated budget of Rs.6029.70 crores for the up-coming three years (2024- 25 to 2026-27) which aims at benefiting all the farm families under KALIA schemes.

The State implemented the KALIA Yojana from 2018-19 since the majority of the population of the State is directly or indirectly dependent on agriculture for their livelihood.

The scheme aims at accelerating the prosperity and progress of agriculture and alleviating the poverty of farmers, and landless agricultural households. Besides, the State had implemented KALIA Scholarship under Farmers’ Welfare KALIA Scheme to ensure educational development of the children of KALIA beneficiaries to avail professional/ technical education in different educational institutions, as the future of the farmers’ families depends on the development of their children.

This will encourage children of both small and marginal farmers, and landless farm families to pursue higher education. The social and financial progress of the farm families depends on the development of their children by availing KALIA scholarship.

For the benefit and larger interest of the farmers of the State and to ensure the smooth purchase of agricultural inputs, the release dates of the KALIA assistance can be further advanced than the above dates i.e. April 15 on-wards for the Kharif season and September 1 onwards for the Rabi season, as decided by the State Government from time to time.

Similarly, the eligible landless agricultural households who have already received all installments (i.e. Rs.12,500) shall be provided with additional financial support/ assistance to the extent, as decided by the Government from time to time.