Bhubaneswar: Noted economist Padma Shri Prof Ashok Gulati, ex-chairman of Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) hailed KALIA (Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation) scheme of Odisha government on Tuesday.
“The KALIA scheme can be the lighthouse to guide the nation what type of agriculture policy will be there tomorrow for India’s farmers,” said Gulati while attending at the inaugural ceremony of ‘Krushi Odisha 2019’ fair in Bhubaneswar.
“Odisha is the state where the poverty reduction has been maximum during 2004-11. If there is one state in India where farmers’ income has increased 8.4 Percent per annum between 2002-2015/16 it is Odisha,” he added.
Adding to Gulati’s views on Odisha’s development in agriculture and farming sector, CACP’s sitting chairperson Prof Vijay Paul Sharma appreciated the KALIA scheme and said that it is inclusive in nature and would benefit the farmers of Odisha immensely. Sharma stressed on the need of diversification in agriculture and reduction in cost of cultivation.
It is worthwhile to mention here that the 15th Finance Commission led by its Chairman NK Singh had also highly praised the KALIA scheme during its visit to the state recently.
Ms Kalinga