Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik announces Rs 507 crore assistance to Cyclone Jawad affected farmers

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has announced a special package of Rs 507 crore for those farmers who were affected by Cyclone Jawad on Monday. Cyclone Jawad occurred in the first week of December 2021 and caused damage to the standing and harvested crops of farmers.

The press release issued by Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) stated that, small and marginal farmers who lost 33 per cent of their crops will be given Rs 6,800 per hectare for rain-fed land and Rs 13,500 per hectare for irrigated areas. Meanwhile, a sum of Rs 18,000 per hectare will be given for all-season crops such as mango, cashew, coconut, betel leaves and kia.

A minimum input subsidy of Rs 2,000 will be given to farmers against loss of all season crops. Similarly a minimum subsidy of Rs 1,000 will be provided for other crops, mentioned the press release.

The press release also mentioned that certified high quality seeds weighing 12,000 quintals, will be provided to the farmers residing in 12 affected districts at a discounted rate. An additional 25 per cent discount will be provided through DBT for rabi crop of 2021-22 season.

Farmers in the affected districts will be provided with 50,000 mini kits of pulses. In addition to that 4 lakh vegetable seeds will be provided free of cost.

The farmers in the affected districts will also be given a subsidy of Rs 50 crore for agricultural mechanization. It will be provided through DBT. In the affected areas, 5,000 pump sets will be provided at a 50 per cent discount. The maximum discount will be Rs 10,000.

To ensure that farmers registered under the Prime Minister’s Crop Insurance Scheme get their compensation as soon as possible, steps will be taken to immediately assess the post-harvest losses and the Crop Cutting Experience will also be completed soon. Steps will also be taken to ensure that farmers affected by the cyclone receive immediate loan assistance for the Rabi crop.

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