The free rice scheme in Odisha has an adverse impact on agricultural activities, feel the women agriculturists.
The views of women agriculturists come at a moment when there is fierce competition between the state and the Centre to take credit for the free rice scheme. The scheme has reduced profit, they feel. Besides, the acute shortage of labour has hit agricultural activities, feel the women agriculturists.
More than 5,000 farm women and 2,000 women self-help groups were in the state capital to attend the ongoing three-day Krushi-Odisha (Agri-Conclave) which began on Friday. On Saturday, railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw while launching a new train at Nilgiri in Balasore reminded the people that it was the Narendra Modi government which was giving free rice. At present, 5kg of rice is being given to each beneficiary per month.
Citing reasons how the free rice scheme has affected agriculture, Nayana Mahakud, who hails from Belapada village of Boudh district, told The Telegraph: “The scheme has assured a meal but it has made people lazy. They have no more will to work and they lose aspiration. It has led to the scarcity of labour force on the ground. Besides, the youths of our area prefer to migrate outside or to the industrial belts of Odisha in search of a good pasture. They are no more interested in taking up agricultural jobs.”
Nayana continued: “I will not allow my son to take up agriculture. If he gets a job either in the private or government sectors he will get an assured monthly income. Even if he does not get a job, he will start a business and his earnings per month would not be less than Rs 15,000.”
Another woman Kumudini Samal from Mahalipada panchayat under Boudh said: “Due to scarcity of labour, we have to depend on the machine, particularly on tractors for ploughing and harvesting the paddy. A tractor charges Rs 1,500 per hour. If we take labour, manure and machine costs into account, we spend Rs 50,000 for paddy cultivation on an acre of land. We earn Rs 1 lakh and end up with a profit of just Rs 50,000 in a year.”
Kumudini said: “Odisha is prone to natural calamities. There is a probability that we will lose the entire crop even after we put up our best efforts.” Another farmer, Tapaswaini Dehuri said: “We also take up cereal and vegetable cultivation. On many occasions, we are victims of distress sales.”
She cited that the MSP of paddy should be increased. “We are selling the paddy at Rs 2,180 per quintal. If the MSP of the paddy goes up to Rs 2,930, we will get some profit,” Kunimudini said.
