The Samrudha Krushaka Yojana is a major agricultural initiative launched by the Government of Odisha in July 2024 to uplift the financial condition of farmers by ensuring better procurement prices for paddy. The scheme is designed to provide an enhanced Minimum Support Price (MSP) of ₹3,100 per quintal to farmers, ensuring fair compensation for their crops while reducing dependency on middlemen. With a budget allocation of ₹5,000 crore, this initiative aims to make farming more profitable, sustainable, and resilient in Odisha.
This article explores the objectives, key features, eligibility criteria, benefits, and impact of the Samrudha Krushaka Yojana in detail.
Objectives of Samrudha Krushaka Yojana
The primary objectives of this scheme include:
Enhancing Farmers’ Income: By offering ₹3,100 per quintal for paddy, the scheme ensures a substantial increase in the earnings of farmers.
Reducing Farmer Distress: Higher procurement prices will help reduce rural indebtedness and prevent financial distress among farmers.
Promoting Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): To eliminate middlemen and delays in payments, financial assistance is directly transferred to farmers' bank accounts.
Encouraging Sustainable Agriculture: By supporting mechanization and modern farming techniques, the scheme aims to improve efficiency and productivity.
Strengthening the Food Security System: By incentivizing paddy cultivation, the scheme helps in maintaining adequate food grain reserves for the state.
Key Features of Samrudha Krushaka Yojana
1. Increased Procurement Price for Paddy
The scheme offers ₹3,100 per quintal for paddy, which is ₹800 more than the existing MSP of ₹2,300 set by the central government. The additional ₹800 is provided by the Odisha state government as an incentive.
2. Substantial Budget Allocation
A total budget of ₹5,000 crore has been allocated for this scheme for the financial year 2024-25, ensuring that the procurement process runs smoothly without financial constraints.
3. Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)
The procurement amount is transferred directly to the bank accounts of farmers, reducing delays and eliminating corruption.
4. Support for Mechanized Farming
The scheme provides 80-85% subsidy on modern farming equipment such as tractors, harvesters, and irrigation systems to promote sustainable and high-yield farming.
5. Fair and Transparent Procurement
The procurement process will be digitally monitored to prevent exploitation by traders or middlemen. The entire process will be conducted through the Krushak Odisha Portal.
6. Inclusion of Small and Marginal Farmers
The scheme prioritizes small and marginal farmers, ensuring that they receive equal opportunities to benefit from the increased procurement price.
Eligibility Criteria
Farmers must meet the following criteria to avail of benefits under this scheme:
Must be a permanent resident of Odisha.
Should be actively engaged in paddy cultivation.
Must be registered with the Department of Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare for paddy procurement.
Should possess an active bank account linked with Aadhaar for receiving the financial benefit through DBT.
Application Process for Samrudha Krushaka Yojana
Farmers can register for the scheme either online or offline:
Online Registration Process
Visit the Official Portal – Farmers need to visit the Krushak Odisha Portal (krushak.odisha.gov.in).
Login or Register – If not registered, farmers must create an account by providing their Aadhaar number and mobile number.
Fill Application Form – Personal details, bank account information, and land ownership details need to be entered.
Upload Required Documents – Farmers must upload Aadhaar card, land records, and bank details.
Submit Application – After reviewing the information, submit the application for approval.
Receive Confirmation – A confirmation message is sent once the application is successfully verified.
Offline Registration Process
Farmers who do not have access to online services can visit their nearest Common Service Center (CSC) or Agriculture Department Office to complete registration.
Implementation Strategy
The Odisha government has devised a three-step implementation strategy for Samrudha Krushaka Yojana:
Step 1: Farmer Identification and Registration
Farmers will be identified through village-level surveys and satellite imaging to ensure all eligible farmers are included.
The registration process will be simplified, allowing maximum participation.
Step 2: Procurement and Payment
The government will procure paddy directly from registered farmers at the enhanced price of ₹3,100 per quintal.
Payments will be processed within 7 days via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Step 3: Monitoring and Grievance Redressal
A monitoring committee will track the implementation and address any complaints.
Farmers can lodge complaints via a helpline number or the Krushak Odisha Portal.
Expected Benefits and Impact
1. Economic Growth for Farmers
The scheme will increase farmers’ earnings by 30-40%, reducing poverty in rural Odisha.
An estimated 35 lakh farmers are expected to benefit in the first year itself.
2. Strengthened Agricultural Sector
Higher procurement prices will encourage more farmers to cultivate paddy, leading to higher production.
Adoption of modern farming techniques will improve productivity.
3. Reduction in Exploitation
By eliminating middlemen, the scheme ensures that farmers receive the full benefit of their produce without deductions.
4. Improvement in Rural Employment
Increased income and productivity will create more employment opportunities in the agricultural sector.
5. Food Security for Odisha
More paddy production ensures a steady supply of food grains for the Public Distribution System (PDS).
Challenges and Recommendations
1. Ensuring Timely Payments
Solution: Implementing automated DBT to process payments within 7 days.
2. Reaching Small Farmers
Solution: Conducting awareness campaigns in villages to ensure small farmers register.
3. Avoiding Procurement Delays
Solution: Setting up more procurement centers across districts to reduce waiting times for farmers.
Conclusion
The Samrudha Krushaka Yojana is a transformational step towards improving farmers’ income and boosting agricultural productivity in Odisha. By offering ₹3,100 per quintal for paddy, ensuring direct payments, and promoting modern farming techniques, the scheme promises to uplift the farming community and strengthen Odisha’s rural economy.
As the Odisha government continues its efforts to support farmers, Samrudha Krushaka Yojana has the potential to become a model for agricultural development in India. If implemented effectively, it will reduce rural poverty, enhance food security, and create a prosperous farming ecosystem.
For registration and more details, visit: Krushak Odisha Portal
Read about Subhadra Yojana - here
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