The Maharashtra Rajya Draksha Bagayatdar Sangh (MRDBS) has asked the state government to extend insurance coverage period for orchards at least up to April 30. Following pressure from the grape-growers, the state government had recently extended the insurance coverage period from January 30, 2016, to March 31. This will come into effect from November 1, 2015. As there is also a possibility of unseasonal rains and hail storms, the grape-growers' body is demanding extension of the insurance coverage period up to April 30. Speaking to TOI, Kailas Bhosle, chairman of the MRDBS central science committee, said, "For grapes, insurance coverage period was from October 15 to January 31. During the past two years, vineyards in Nashik were hit by unseasonal rains and hailstorms in February and March. Grape farm owners, however, did not get any insurance as the coverage period was up to January 31. After the matter was continuously followed up, the government recently extended the period by two months. The coverage period will now be from November 1 to March 31. However, in doing so, owners who harvest their grapes early in October will not be covered if they are hit by unseasonal rains. Grapes are harvested early in parts of the district like Satana and Bagalan." The government has launched weather-based insurance scheme for orchards. For grapes, an annual premium is Rs 9,000 per hectare, of which grape-growers have to pay half of (50 per cent) the premium, while other 50 per cent is paid by the government. The grape-growers get an insurance cover of Rs 150,000 per hectare. This also depends on the quantum of rainfall and how badly their vineyards are affected. Source - http://www.freshplaza.com