The State Agriculture Cabinet on Monday announced a package for the pest-affected areas for Kharif 2017 and assured that actual cultivators would get compensation for the crop loss.
The Cabinet met under chairmanship of Chief Minister Naveeen Patnaik.
The small and marginal farmers who have sustained crop loss of 33 per cent and above would get Rs 6,800 per hectare of land in rainfed/non-irrigated areas and Rs 13,500 per hectare of irrigated land. Other farmers would also get this agriculture input but subject to a ceiling of two hectares per farmer.
In pest affected areas, 75 per cent subsidy would be given for purchase of pesticides for management of BPH for crops shown during the Kharif 2017 and steps would be taken to make pesticides available in all affected blocks immediately.
The Cabinet decided to distribute 10,000 sprayers at 50 per cent subsidy subject to maximum limit of Rs 3,000. A total of 50,000 landless, marginal and small farmers would be provided livelihood support in terms of backyard poultry. Similarly, 1 lakh seed minikits comprising of paddy, pulses and oil seeds and 50,000 vegetable kits will be supplied to farmers for Rabi programme in the affected village.
The Government has also announced to provide 5,000 pump sets at 50 per cent subsidy limited to Rs 15,000.
“Expeditious steps will be taken to organise joint liability groups by covering maximum number of share croppers/oral lessees to provide them credit during the Rabi season 2017-18.
Short term loans provided to farmers in the affected areas would be converted into medium term loans. The Centre would be requested to provide interest incentive of 3 per cent for medium term (conversion) loans. A special vigil will be kept on moneylenders causing financial hardships to farmers.
Besides, 50 per cent remission in respect of cess on land revenue would be given to farmers where the crop loss is 33 per cent and above and collection of the remaining amount would be deferred to the next financial year.
Similarly, tuition fees and examination fees in Government and aided schools and colleges would be waived.