Crop Insurance Scheme for farmer

 In the current Kharif season, the Pradhan Mantri Crop Insurance Scheme has been implemented by the Central Government in other states including Odisha. It is also being propagated that this scheme can solve all the problems of Kurhaks. It is also claimed that this is a more advanced crop insurance scheme than the earlier introduced crop insurance scheme. If a farmer's crop, house, family, life, etc. are affected by natural calamities, the Prime Minister's Crop Insurance Scheme will provide adequate compensation. Getting compensation under the Insurance Act without claiming from the government for cross financial assistance. However, some mention is being made here about the outline of the Prime Minister's Crop Insurance Scheme.

 Personal insurance for farmer

The crop insurance coverage and duration of the scheme are detailed. Along with the crop insurance, the grower has to carry at least two personal insurances. They are (a) Prime Minister's Protection Insurance Scheme, (b) Prime Minister's Life Insurance Scheme, (c) Home and Housekeeping Insurance, (d) Student Protection Insurance (b) Agricultural Pumpset Insurance, (f) Tractor Insurance. Farmers will not get government subsidy on premium unless they have at least two of the above insurances along with crop insurance.

With crop insurance, the farmer has to pay 2% of the sum insured for selected food crops, oilseeds and pulses in Kharif season and 1.5% premium in Rabi season. For commercial and horticultural crops, 5% of the sum insured is to be paid as premium. If more than 75% of a single area cannot be cultivated or harvested due to lack of rain, the farmers in that area will get up to 25% of the sum insured. If during the crop season it is found that the crop production is reduced by more than 50% of the expected production due to natural waste, then the farmers will get advance compensation. In case of crop damage due to hailstorm and water inundation, the damaged crop will be assessed and compensation will be given. Provisions are made in the plan to compensate for the loss of crops due to one-day rains while the crops are being harvested. Apart from this, farmers will be compensated if the actual production of the insured crop is less than the guaranteed production due to natural losses in the designated unit area. To calculate the guaranteed production, the production of the last 7 years is taken into account, and out of that, the production of the last 5 years excluding the production of two natural fall years will be taken into account. The minimum compensation level has been increased to 70%. Premium rates for farmers have been reduced and fixed. Farmers can get insurance before planting crops and during loan from banks. The crop yield will be estimated through the crop test and the loss will be compensated to the farmers. Farmers taking loans from banks will be insured compulsorily. Non-farmers can apply for insurance through the internet through the insurance agent at the bank or at the office of the insurance company. Farmers' objections will be resolved by the insurance company and the government on a priority basis. In this scheme, the interests and welfare of the farmers have been given more importance. It is expected that the scheme can be implemented successfully if the terms and conditions of the insurance companies, including the central and state governments, are properly followed. The scheme is implemented during the first crop season. If implemented in the first season, the popularity of the scheme will be known and how far the farmers are benefiting from this new scheme. The possible effectiveness of this plan will be discussed in the next article.