Odisha’s KALIA is the Best Income Support Scheme: Economists

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government’s KALIA (Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation) is the best income support scheme in the country, according to the experts.
The economists from IARI have made an evaluation of various agriculture income support schemes, such as PM KISAN, Rythu Bandhu, Krishak Bondhu, Krishi Aashirwad, Parivar Samman Nidhi and KALIA.

They compared the features of these income support schemes and found that the Odisha’s KALIA is ‘perhaps the best scheme’.

The economists noted that KALIA is the most inclusive, promotes equity across land size. The scheme has greater income redistributive features and does not affect state budgets much, said Saurabh Garg, CEO, UIDAI in a tweet.

Odisha’s KALIA is ‘perhaps the best scheme’. The evaluation by economists from IARI of agricultural income support schemes PM KISAN, Rhythu Bandhu TL Krishak Bandhu WB Krishi Aashirwad JH Parivar Samman Nidhi HY and KALIA in EPW August 21, 2021

— Saurabh Garg (@_saurabhgarg) September 5, 2021

They note KALIA is most inclusive, promotes equity across land size, has greater income redistributive features and does not affect state budgets much. Feel privileged to have led the team in the Dept of Agriculture Govt of Odisha that conceptualised and implemented the program.

— Saurabh Garg (@_saurabhgarg) September 5, 2021

Ever since its launch in December 2018 by Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the KALIA scheme is hailed as a phenomenon, a game changer in the agricultural landscape of India.
It was the nation’s first scheme in agriculture that helped landless sharecroppers and vulnerable farmer households.

Unlike other innovations in farm policies, KALIA does not offer piecemeal support. It empowers the neglected and disenfranchised in the farm community, offering them direct income support for sustenance. KALIA doesn’t stop at that.
KALIA targets over four million farmer households. It provides income support of Rs 25,000 over five crop seasons to small and marginal farmers. In addition, each landless agricultural household receives financial assistance of Rs 12,500, while each vulnerable household is entitled to Rs 10,000.

With its long-term vision, the scheme endeavours to ensure not only farm support but also livelihood and educational hand-holding, making it a holistic welfare solution for the farmer’s family.