The four worst-hit districts of Marathwada have cornered more than 50 per cent of the total Rs 4,205 crore funds under the crop insurance loan for the year 2015-16. The crop insurance funds, which have already been deposited in the accounts of the farmers, have provided the much-needed relief to the farmers of Marathwada facing drought for the fourth consecutive year. The crop insurance disbursed is highest in Beed district (Rs 893 crore), Latur (Rs 604.59 crore), Parbhani (Rs 488.65 crore) and Osmanabad (Rs 465.51 crore). The total crop insurance allocation in these four districts comes to Rs 2,450.75 crore out of the total Rs 4,205 crore given to farmers across Maharashtra. The crop insurance has helped the government provide relief to 1.13 crore farmers covering 74 lakh hectares of land. Notwithstanding the delay in arrival of the monsoon across the state, progress in the crop insurance disbursement appears to have equipped the farmers with funds that would help them meet the challenges of agriculture in the kharif season. “Under the crop insurance, 82 lakh farmers have already been given the funds. The process of bringing the remaining would be completed in the next few weeks,” according to reports from the ministry of agriculture. The new guidelines of the Centre under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna, which allows crop insurance to farmers for both pre- and post-harvest crop losses, is being aggressively pushed by the state to restore the confidence of farmers, especially in the 14 worst drought-hit districts. Apart from water crisis (hydrolic drought) in 15,500 villages, there was agriculture drought in 12,500 villages. Thus, 28,000 villages out of 40,000 were facing drought. While acknowledging the need for greater investments to help farmers become self-reliant, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, “The allocation of Rs 4,205 crore under crop insurance is highest ever the state government has provided in one year.” Putting it in perspective, he said, “In the last 15 years, the total funds released under National Crop Insurance was Rs 4,737 crore. While we are not here to walk the credit, all I can reassure is that my government is absolutely committed to the welfare of the farmers of Maharashtra.” Last week, the state government cautioned farmers not to rush sowing and wait for the full-fledged monsoons to arrive in their respective districts. Another significant decision relates to increase of fresh crop loans by 31 per cent this year at Rs 54,000 crore from last year’s Rs 40,000 crore. In view of reports of lackadaisical approach of district cooperative banks to allocate fresh crop loans to farmers for kharif has prompted the government to urge NABARD to intervene in the matter. The chief minister has also taken up the issue with Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. The regionwise crop loan disbursement shows 29 per cent increase in the cotton belt of Vidarbha region. In terms of funds, it has increased from Rs 8,423 crore (2015-16) to Rs 10,842 crore (2016-17). In Marathwada, it would be a 37 per cent increase in crop loans. The amount has risen from Rs 9,193 crore to Rs 12,578 crore; in Western Maharashtra (including parts of North Maharashtra) it shows a 37 per cent (the highest) increase. The funds have been hiked from Rs 21,831 crore to Rs 28,778 crore. In Konkan, it is marginal, from Rs 1,078 crore to Rs 1,134 crore. The ministry of agriculture has already made the provisions on both seeds and fertilisers. Their estimate is, the total seeds required would be 14 lakh quintal. But they have stocked 17 lakh quintals. Source - indianexpress.com