The “Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation” (KALIA) is a farmer welfare and poverty alleviation initiative introduced by the Odisha Government. The scheme aims to boost agricultural prosperity and cut down poverty rates by providing financial support for cultivation and related activities. By offering an alternative to farm loan waivers, KALIA hopes to direct approximately Rs. 10,180 crores over three years until 2021 towards assisting cultivators and landless agricultural laborers.
Eligibility Criteria for KALIA
Several groups can benefit from the KALIA scheme. These include small and marginal farmers, landless agricultural households, vulnerable agricultural households, landless agricultural laborers, and sharecroppers (known as actual cultivators). Each group is eligible under varying components of the scheme.
Provisions Under KALIA
The scheme provides distinct provisions based on the needs and capabilities of specific groups. For cultivators, the scheme offers Rs 10,000 per family towards cultivation aid. This assistance is split into two halves of Rs 5,000 each, distributed in the Kharif and Rabi seasons across five cropping seasons from 2018 to 2022. Additionally, crop loans up to Rs 50,000 are made interest-free.
Landless Agricultural Households are given a financial boost of Rs.12,500. This aid can be used for allied agricultural activities such as small goat rearing, mini-layer units, duckery units, fishery kits for fishermen, mushroom cultivation, bee-keeping, etc.
The scheme also ensures the welfare of those unable to undertake cultivation due to age, sickness, or disability. These individuals receive Rs 10,000 per household annually.
Insurance Provided by KALIA
The KALIA scheme doesn’t just assist financially, it also provides a safety net in the form of insurance. It includes life insurance coverage worth Rs 2 lakh along with an additional personal accident cover of the same amount for 57 lakh households.
Table showcasing some facts about KALIA
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Financial Assistance for cultivators | Rs 10,000 per family |
| Crop loans interest | Interest-free up to Rs 50,000 |
| Assistance for Landless Agricultural Households | Rs 12,500 |
| Insurance Coverage | Life and personal accident cover of Rs 2 lakh each |
The Perks of KALIA Scheme
KALIA’s reach extends to various rural activities and supports marginal farmers, sharecroppers, fishermen, and animal herders who may not qualify for bank loans but are ensnared in local moneylender debt traps. As such, it is often seen as a superior alternative to farm loan waivers which can often penalize punctual repayers and potentially discourage them from further repayments.
