The Kerala Assembly on 21st November 2019 has passed a new law to create farmers welfare board in the Southern state. The board, which is the first of its kind in any state aims to improve the quality of life of farmers & ensure better financial stability.
The bill, proposed in the Assembly was referred to the select committee. After several rounds of discussions & sittings across Kerala, the bill was submitted & passed in the Assembly with amendments.
Financial Benefits & Pension
The bill proposes to establish a farmers welfare board that will ensure attractive financial benefits as well as monthly pension to the farmers.
A farmer, who has a maximum of 15 acres of land or who is cultivating on lease land up to 15 acres will get the benefits of the welfare board.
Each farmer, above 18 years of age can contribute a minimum of Rs. 100 /month to the scheme.
The State government will make a contribution of the same amount or a maximum of Rs 250 for every farmer as part of the scheme. If a grower continuously contributes for a minimum of 5 years, then he or she will be entitled to a lifetime pension after the age of 60. The amount of pension will be determined based on the contribution & number of years.
A farmer who has contributed to the scheme for twenty five years will receive a one-time payment based on his contribution to the scheme.
In addition to this, women farmers or daughters of all the registered farmers would get financial help for education, marriage and maternity.
Elaborating about the board, State Agriculture Minister, VS Sunil Kumar said that it is the first of its kind scheme in the entire nation.
He said, "We are trying to provide a comprehensive support package to the farmers in Kerala. Apart from traditional farmers, plantations & farms will also be under this scheme. We have kept a yearly income of Rs 5 lakh as the maximum limit to be part of this scheme. Now that the bill has been passed, we hope to create the board between 3 to 6 months".
