Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today announced a special package of Rs. 300 Crore for livelihood support for the farmers affected by floods. He said that while incessant rainfall and consequent flood during last week of August, 2020 in different districts have caused damage to the standing crops, the State Government have decided to announce the following package for livelihood support to ameliorate the suffering of the affected farmers and others:
Agriculture Sector:
• Agriculture input subsidy shall be provided to the small and marginal farmers who have sustained crop loss of 33% and above @Rs. 6,800/- per hectare of land in rain-fed/non irrigated areas, Rs.13,500/- per hectare of land in areas under assured irrigation, and Rs.18,000/- per hectare for all types of perennial crops. Perennial crops shall include mango, cashew, coconut, kewra, betel vine etc. The assistance shall be provided to the actual cultivators. Agriculture input subsidy to any affected farmer shall not be less than Rs.2000/- for perennial crops and Rs.1000/- for other crops. 20,000 pulse seed minikits shall be provided to the Flood affected farmers during Rabi-2020. Further, 60,000 acres of demonstration programmes of different crops shall be taken up in affected districts in the ensuing Rabi season.
• 2,000 pump sets shall be provided with 50% subsidy limited to a maximum of Rs.15,000/-. 5,000 power sprayers shall be made available to the Flood affected farmers at a subsidy of 50% limited to maximum of Rs.3,000/- for battery operated sprayers and Rs.600/- for hand operated sprayers.
• One Lakh farmers shall be trained on seed treatment programme with free supply of seed treatment chemicals /bio-pesticides to cover 1 Lakh Acres for increasing production in Rabi crops.
• Immediate steps shall be taken to arrange for distribution of quality certified seeds in sufficient quantity for the Rabi season. Special assistance shall be provided to the farmers with higher subsidy around 75% on Certified Quality Seeds.
• Farm Mechanisation Subsidy of Rs.10 crore shall be disbursed to the affected districts.
• Expeditious steps shall be taken for crop loss assessment and steps shall be taken for invoking mid-season adversity under the Crop Insurance Scheme.
• One Lakh farmers shall be provided with Vegetable kits involving seeds of Palak, Beans, Cowpea, Tomato, Chilli and Radish etc. to meet their immediate needs through kitchen garden @ Rs.130/- per kit to 75,000 farmers shall be provided with 10 nos. of quick growing fruit species like Papaya, Banana and Drumstick
@ Rs.160/- per affected farmers to raise backyard garden in the flood affected districts. Rs.500 per Unit shall be provided for Shade Net/ Thatched Structure for renovation of 10,000 Mushroom Units affected by flood to farmers/ WSHGs for livelihood support.
Farm Credit:
• Short Term Kharif loans advanced in the flood affected areas having crop loss of 33% and above shall be converted into Medium Term (Conversion) loans. Due date of Short Term Kharif loans advanced in the affected areas shall be extended by one year from the date of finance (maximum upto 30th September 2022) to facilitate conversion of such loans into Medium Term (Conversion) loans. Affected farmers shall be provided fresh finance for Rabi cultivation during coming Rabi season commencing from 01.10.2020.
Animal Resources Development Sector:
• Assistance for replacement of animals shall be provided towards loss of animals
@ Rs 30,000/- per milch cow and buffalo, Rs. 25,000/- per draught animal (up to 3 animals), Rs 16,000/- per calf (up to 6 animals), Rs.3,000/- per goat (up to 30 animals), Rs 50/- per poultry bird (maximum Rs 5000/-)
Fisheries sector:
• Financial assistance of Rs.12,200/- per hectare shall be provided to fish farmers (Freshwater/ Brackish water) for repair of damaged fish ponds/dykes. Input subsidy @ Rs 8200/- per hectare shall be given for De-silting/ Restoration/ Repair of damaged fish seed farm.
Handloom & Handicrafts Sector:
• Assistance of Rs.4100/- per Weaver/ Handicrafts artisan shall be provided for replacement tools/ equipment and Rs.4100/- per Weaver/ Handicrafts artisan towards loss of raw materials/ goods in process/ finished goods.
Employment Generation:
• Works under MGNREGA shall be intensified once flood water subsides. The focus shall be given on works like repair and maintenance of GP roads, Playfields, canals, earthen bunds, goat shed, cowshed, and fodder cultivation.
Hon’ble Chief Minister today launched a revolutionary scheme ‘Garima’ for the welfare of the Sanitation Workers, dealing with faecal matter in toilets/septic tank/sewer and treatment facilities in the State. The scheme under Housing & Urban Development Department shall be implemented in all 114 Urban local bodies and 20,000 Sanitation Workers with their 1 Lakh family members shall be benefitted by the scheme.
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