An overview of the performance of various developmental efforts over the years in Odisha reveals that all regions of the state have not developed uniformly and there are wide regional disparities. Kalahandi is one of the thirty districts in Odisha which is known for its extreme poverty. Although numerous schemes have been implemented, employment opportunities continue to be limited. As agriculture is the main economic activity, there is less employment opportunity generation in this region.
Hence, the region has been experiencing large-scale distress migration. On 2nd October, 1992, Kalahandi district was re-organised into two districts viz., Kalahandi and Nawapara. The district is a rich land in terms of arts and craft, situated in the south-western part of Odisha, Kalahandi forms a part of the KBK region. The district was a part of the ancient south Kosala state. The main occupation of the people of this district is farming and the majority of the family depends on agricultural income.
Being born and brought up in a small village called “Banjibahal” where about 240-250 families reside and all of them depend upon agricultural income, you will easily be able to find agricultural labor in every second household and also huge number of migration to different states like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Surat (Gujurat) etc. There is a need for generating employment opportunities on a continuous basis, but no fruitful steps have been taken either by local authority or by state govt.
For the last three years, I have been closely observing Odisha government’s behavior and efforts towards enhancing farmers income and it is shameful. The present government states that a progressive agricultural policy, effective irrigation, mechanization of agricultural activities, seeds exchange rate and others are priorities of the state government to enhance the income of farmers in the state, but the ground reality is something different. Apart from this, the central government also states that horticulture mission would also enhance the income of the farmer. The media speaks on behalf of both the farmer and the govt, but the question is, how much of this is true?
For the last two years, I have been raising the problem related to ‘mandi system’, where the ‘Dalal’ plays a major role. The supremo of Odisha lives in Bhubaneswar and supremo of mandi – the ‘Dalal’ lives in their comfortable space to regulate the market. The strange and unacceptable gestures from local authorities like tehsildar and other govt personnel are hilarious. It seems both the hands are well together to regulate the market which we call ‘Manmani’ (monopoly).
Can you even guess what would be the income of the farmer in the state – average income, their standard of living etc.? Moreover, the government of Odisha had implemented “Kalia Scheme” to provide ₹2000 to the farmers. It also seems like government think farmers of Odisha are beggars. The amount is a joke and the farmers from many part of Odisha still don’t get the benefits.
The government declared that farmers’ income is increasing day-by-day, but the facts suggest a different story. Even after 70 years of independence, the farmers’ annual income is just at ₹59,712 comprising ₹20,592 as wages and salary, ₹16,884 from agriculture, ₹15,768 from animal husbandry and ₹6,468 from non-cultivation activities.
How can a farmer and his family can survive with an average income of ₹59,712 i.e. ₹4,976 per month? How can a farmer provide quality education to his/her children and fulfill the needs of the family? Who is responsible and when will the farmer of the state start living a decent life?