Bhubaneswar: After successful transfer of financial assistance to about 12.45 lakh small and marginal farmers in first phase under the KALIA scheme, the government has initiated process for distribution of the benefits to landless agricultural households from February 15.
The state has planned to start transfer of first installment of Rs 5,000 to nearly five lakh landless agricultural households for their livelihood support from February 15 under Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (KALIA) scheme, Cooperation secretary Krishan Kumar told Orissa POST, Saturday.
As per the Census 2011, there are 24.20 lakh agricultural labourers who are dependent on agriculture as their main occupation while there are 43.19 lakh agricultural labourers who are not dependant on agriculture as their main source of living.
- The state will start transfer of first installment of Rs 5,000 to nearly five lakh landless agricultural households
- 20 lakh agricultural labourers are dependent on agriculture as their main occupation
- 19 lakh agricultural labourers are not dependant on agriculture as their main source of living
- 22 lakh landless agricultural households have applied for KALIA assistance during the first phase
The focus of KALIA scheme is on the rural landless labourers who are dependent on agriculture as their main activity, official sources said.
According to the source, about 22 lakh landless agricultural households have applied for assistance during the first phase. The government would give priority to the deprived landless agricultural households and backward/tribal dominated districts.
After the first tranche is sent, the government would conduct orientation training programme to understand the household preference of the activity that they will like to take up. The remaining Rs 7,500 will be transferred in two tranches, one of which shall be after grounding of the unit.
Based on the household’s choice, a capacity building and training module will be imparted to two or more persons from each household within six months of the transfer of the first tranche of funds, they said.
Detailed modalities will be developed by the Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment department and Fisheries & Animal Resources Development department separately.
Similarly, the second phase transfer of assistance to small and marginal farmers will likely start from February 22, Kumar said. Over 13 lakh farmers selected for the Phase II will get their assistance.
