Samikhsya Bureau
Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today announced a slew of packages for the farmers and people of coastal districts affected by the very severe cyclonic storm BULBUL. Patnaik who made an aerial survey of affected areas this afternoon, announced the package after reviewing the situation with the district collectors of the affected districts through video conferencing. As per the package the short Term Rabi Loans advanced in the affected areas during Rabi 2019 having crop loss of 33 percent and above shall be converted into Medium Term (Conversion) Loans.
The chief minister announced to provide Agriculture input subsidy to the small and marginal farmers who have sustained crop loss of 33 per cent 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 will include mango, cashew, coconut, betel vine.
The Agricultural input subsidy to any affected farmer shall not be less than Rs 2,000 for perennial crops and Rs.1,000 for other crops. The government will supply 50,000 seed minikits of Pulses and Oilseeds and 10,000 vegetable minikits to the affected farmers during Rabi 2019-20. Patnaik directed the officials to take up demonstration programmes of different crops on 45,000 acres of land.
As many as 3,000 Sprayers will be made available to the affected farmers in the cyclone affected areas at a subsidy of 50 percent limited to maximum of Rs.3800 for battery operated sprayers and Rs.750 for hand operated sprayers. A decision was also taken to provide an incentive of Rs.15,000 per farmer to 30 units for repair and renovation of Betel Vine cultivation and Rs.40,000/Unit will be for repair and renovation of Shade Net / thatched structure for restoration of Mushroom Units to 50 units.
Patnaik directed the officials to take immediate steps to arrange and distribute quality seeds and other inputs in sufficient quantity for the Rabi season.Expeditious steps will be taken to conduct crop cutting experiments to settle the claims of the affected insured farmers under crop insurance scheme, PMFBY, with risks of localized calamity and mid-season adversity as per revised Operational Guideline of the scheme. The cyclonic storm has caused severe damage to the standing paddy and other agriculture, horticulture crops in affected coastal districts.
Paddy is worse affected since the crop was at flowering, milking, panicle emerging, early maturity and maturity stage. The livelihood of people depending upon animal husbandry, fisheries, and other sectors have also been affected. The Chief Minister directed to provide an assistance for the loss of animals at the rate of 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/ sheep (up to 30 animals), Rs.50 per poultry bird (maximum Rs.5,000).
Financial assistance @ Rs.4,100 for repair of partially damaged boats, Rs.2,100 for repair of partially damaged net, Rs.9,600- for replacement of fully damaged boat and Rs,2,600 for replacement of fully damaged net will be provided to the affected fishermen. Patnaik also announced to provide an assistance of Rs.12,200- per hectare to fish farmers for de-silting, restoration of fish farms and to provide input subsidy of Rs.8,200 per hectare for damaged fish seed farms.
