India - Insurance firms fix low rates, put farmers in trouble

09.02.2017 614 views
The drought-hit farmers are now a worried lot, upset over the  Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana and private insurance companies. According to farmers, the private insurance companies are trying to pay them a low amount as insurance by taking into account the sowing period as the crop loss period instead of the harvesting period. After the monsoon failure and the non-receipt of Cauvery water, farmers in the delta region managed to cultivate crops with groundwater. Despite having  grown the crops, the unprecedented rainfall destroyed it completely. Meanwhile, adding to the worries of the farmers who were expecting insurance for the failed crops, insurance companies were considering only the sowing period as against the harvest time. “With the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, the State and Central governments are only paying subsidies up to 26%. Afterwards, if there is any crop loss, the governments point towards the private insurance companies. Now, the private companies are playing games in connection with the insurance amount,” said ‘Cauvery’ Dhanapalan, president, Cauvery Delta Farmers Association. According to him, the insurance companies were considering crop loss as the loss which happened during the period of sowing, whereas the truth was that 90 per cent loss had occurred. “If the insurance companies consider the loss during the sowing period, farmers could get just `6,000 per acre as insurance. But actually the loss happened only during harvest time. If the companies consider the loss at the time of harvesting, they have to provide `26,000 per acre as insurance,” he added. Questioning the way crop assessment was done, Cauvery Delta Farmers Associations office-bearer Guru Gobi Ganesan said, “Nowadays, the officials are assessing the crops on the basis of villages. The place chosen for crop-cutting experiment is most often in well-grown parts. Despite 90 per cent of agricultural lands having become barren with the drought, the officials are assessing the remaining 10 per cent areas where crops have grown well.” Source - http://www.newindianexpress.com
20.10.2026

USA - High-Yield Cotton Farms Win Big in New Insurance Policy Shift

Growers can finally combine supplemental coverage with farm programs without losing protection that fits their operation. Meanwhile, federal officials are developing trade incentives for four countries that could expand demand for American cotton.

20.10.2026

India - Sanjay Lalla to head EASE project for PSU general insurers

The proposed EASE framework could provide a common reform roadmap for public sector general insurers, with a focus on improving productivity, strengthening governance, modernising technology platforms and enhancing customer service. Its effectiveness, however, will depend on how quickly the recommendations are translated into measurable operational and financial improvements.

20.10.2026

Czechia to subsidize crop insurance for large farms from 2027

The Czech  government has approved a new program: from January 2027, state  insurance support will extend to large agricultural businesses as well. Small and medium-sized  farms already receive such payments. 

20.10.2026

Kenya - Trans Nzoia maize farmers count losses after massive crop failure

CS Kagwe said in August that the country expects a shortfall of about 25 million 90kg bags against annual consumption of roughly 75m bags.

20.10.2026

Tomato growers in Moldova struggle to sell harvests despite high yields

Vegetable growers in Moldova are struggling to sell their harvests despite high yields, with some leaving crops unharvested or selling directly from fields due to limited market access and import competition.

20.10.2026

Tanzanian growers receive fertilizer training to boost avocado yields

The Tanzania Fertiliser Regulatory Authority (TFRA) is providing avocado growers in Busokelo District, Mbeya Region, with training on fertilizer selection and application to improve yields, fruit quality, and access to domestic and export markets.

18.10.2026

Chilean orchards assess crop damage following severe rain and hail

El Niño continues to dampen industry projections across South America. Earlier this week, severe rain and hail hit south-central Chile, where the Andean country concentrates most of its fruit production. 

18.10.2026

India - Women Farmers Encouraged To Adopt Natural Farming In Indore

He said the government was implementing schemes to make women self-reliant and independent, including 'Lakhpati Didi', 'Namo Drone Didi' and 'Krishi Sakhis' (agricultural companions) under the National Mission on Natural Farming. He said women were excelling in every field and bringing honour to the nation and state.