BHUBANESWAR: As over 2.33 lakh hectares of crop areas in nine western districts were affected by drought, chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday announced package to compensate the farmers.Farmers who have sustained crop loss of 33 per cent and above will get input subsidy (cash assistance to compensate the investment in agriculture) of Rs 6,800 per acre in rainfed areas and Rs 13,500 per hectare in assured irrigated areas. Input subsidy for perennial crops will be Rs 18,000 per acre.Announcing it here, the chief minister said the assistance shall be provided to actual cultivators. “Agriculture input subsidy to any affected farmer shall not be less than Rs 2,000 per perennial crops and Rs 1000 for other crops,” Naveen said.On November 1, the state government had announced drought in 2.33 lakh hectares across 1186 panchayats under 66 blocks and 16 urban local bodies (ULBs) of nine districts--Baragarh, Bolangir, Deogarh, Jharsuguda, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Nuapada, Sambalpur and Sundargarh due to moisture stress.To help the farmers to take up cash crops during Rabi season, the chief minister said one lakh pulse mini-kits, 30,000 oilseed mini-kits and Rs 20,000 vegetable mini-kits to the affected farmers. Besides, 3,000 pump sets will be provided with 50 per cent subsidy limited to a maximum of Rs 15,000.Naveen directed the officials to take immediate steps to arrange and distribute quality seeds in sufficient quantity for alternate cropping in Rabi season.The short term kharif loans advanced in the affected areas during the recent kharif will be converted into medium term loan. Also, due date of kharif short term loans advanced in the affected areas shall be extended up to September 30, 2019.Naveen said the Centre will be requested to provide interest incentive of 3 per cent for converted medium term loans. He also directed to provide fresh finance to affected farmers for Rabi crop.The chief minister directed the districts collectors to keep close watch on money lenders and other unscrupulous elements causing financial hardship to the farmers. Police have been asked to initiate tough action against such elements under the Odisha Money Lenders Act.The tuition fees and examination fees in government and aided schools and colleges in drought affected areas will be waived.To provide alternate livelihood opportunities to affected farmers, the state government decided to take up works like establishment of water harvesting structures and de-silting of field channels through MGNREGS.Over 20,000 numbers of landless, marginal and small farmers in drought affected areas will be provided livelihood support in terms of backyard poultry.

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