Linking Policy with Tradition
In Odisha, the festival of Nuakhai is more than a celebration—it is a thanksgiving ritual to the Earth and a symbol of farmers’ resilience. On this culturally significant day, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi will distribute ₹1,041 crore under the CM Kisan Yojana, benefitting over 51 lakh cultivators across the state. The decision blends cultural recognition with economic relief, reinforcing the government’s commitment to the farming community at a time when agricultural support remains crucial.
The CM Kisan Yojana: Aimed at the Marginalised
Launched during last year’s Nuakhai festivities, the CM Kisan Yojana was designed to fill the gaps left by the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi. While the central scheme extends financial help to registered landowners, many small, marginal, and landless cultivators remain outside its scope. Odisha’s state scheme steps in by providing an annual grant of ₹4,000 to such farmers, paid in two instalments through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
The programme has rapidly expanded within a year—growing from 46 lakh beneficiaries in 2023 to 51 lakhs in 2024, making it one of the largest direct welfare initiatives for farmers in Odisha’s history.
Scaling Up Support: Record Allocation This Year
This year’s allocation of ₹1,041 crore marks a significant increase, underscoring the state’s determination to widen coverage. Officials noted that the priority has been on reaching cultivators in rain-fed and resource-poor regions, who are particularly vulnerable to climatic fluctuations and low yields.
By leveraging DBT, funds are credited directly into farmers’ bank accounts, cutting out middlemen and reducing leakages. To strengthen transparency, the Agriculture Department has upgraded its beneficiary database, verified applications, and opened reapplication windows for farmers previously excluded due to documentation errors.
Beyond Money: An Inclusive Approach
Government officials stress that the CM Kisan Yojana is not limited to financial handouts. By extending coverage to landless and urban farmers, the scheme ensures inclusivity rarely seen in conventional farm-support programmes. This broader definition of “farmer” helps integrate sections that are often overlooked, enabling them to access resources for seeds, fertilisers, and small investments.
Experts point out that while the ₹4,000 support may not drastically transform rural incomes, it offers much-needed liquidity to supplement household budgets and reduce dependence on informal lenders. The initiative also has the potential to dovetail with other rural development programmes, including crop diversification and climate-resilient practices.
Nuakhai: A Symbolic Timing
The choice of Nuakhai for the distribution of funds is deliberate. The festival, observed mainly in western Odisha, marks the first consumption of newly harvested crops and embodies gratitude to nature. By linking financial assistance with the festival, the state not only honours cultural tradition but also strengthens its rapport with rural communities at a moment of shared celebration.
Political observers view the move as both a policy intervention and cultural outreach. It reinforces the government’s pro-farmer narrative while deepening its connection with the agrarian electorate—a constituency that holds immense influence in Odisha’s political landscape.
Reception and Future Prospects
Farmer associations and social groups have widely welcomed the announcement, calling it a timely intervention to ease the struggles of small cultivators. However, they have also urged the government to consider expanding coverage to tenant farmers and sharecroppers, who remain excluded due to ownership-related criteria.
Looking ahead, there are discussions within government circles about enhancing the financial amount in future budgets, depending on fiscal space. There is also scope to integrate the scheme more closely with sustainable agriculture, ensuring that the financial aid encourages environmentally responsible practices alongside economic stability.
Strengthening Farmers, Strengthening Odisha
The disbursement of ₹1,041 crore under the CM Kisan Yojana on Nuakhai highlights Odisha’s dual commitment to tradition and progress. By aligning a welfare initiative with a cultural festival, the government has created both symbolic and practical value for the farming community.
Inclusion of marginalised groups, reliance on transparent DBT transfers, and the steady expansion of coverage underscore the scheme’s growing impact. While challenges remain—particularly in extending support to tenant farmers—the programme represents a vital safety net for millions who form the backbone of Odisha’s agrarian economy.
Ultimately, the initiative illustrates how well-crafted policies, rooted in cultural ethos and designed with inclusivity, can create a more secure and empowered future for farmers—ensuring that agriculture remains both a livelihood and a legacy in Odisha.
(With agency inputs)
