The Himachal Pradesh Government will continue to implement the National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (Rashtriya Krishi Bima Yojna) during Rabi 2015-16 season on the existing patterns in selected units of the state after getting approval from the Centre. The scheme covering 44 units, including Tehsils and Sub-Tehsils of Bilaspur, Chamba, Hamirpur, Kangra, Kinnaur, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, Sirmaur, Solan and Una districts of the State for wheat crop and 20 units of Chamba, Kangra, Kinnaur, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, Sirmaur and Solan districts for barley crop is applicable to all farmers growing wheat and barley crops, an official spokesman said. The risks covered under the scheme would be natural fire and lightning, storm, hailstorm, cyclone, typhoon, tempest, hurricane, tornado, drought, dry spells and pests/diseases etc, the spokesperson stated. However, losses due to war and nuclear risks, malicious damage and other preventable risks have been excluded from the ambit of this scheme, the official said. The scheme will be on compulsory basis to farmers availing Seasonal Agricultural Operation (SAO) loans from the financial institutions like commercial banks, cooperative banks, regional rural banks and primary agricultural cooperatives (PACs) for the insured crops within the stipulated period, whereas it will be optional for the farmers who have not applied for the loan. The level of indemnity for wheat and barley crops has been kept at 80 per cent of the average yield (threshold yield), the spokesperson said. The small and marginal farmers are eligible for 50 per cent government subsidy on total premium on the insurable crops under National Agriculture Insurance Scheme from 10 to 50 per cent (45 per cent as State Share and 5 per cent as Central Share). The small and marginal farmers will require paying only 50 per cent of the total premium payable. The cut-off date for accepting the crop insurance proposals from farmers at PACs/Bank branches have been fixed as January 31, 2016 for non-loanee farmers and March 31, 2016 for loanee farmers, the spokesperson said. The declaration will have to be submitted by the end of the following month of the loaning/accepting proposals (within one month from the cut off dates) for accepting the crop insurance proposals in case of non-loanee farmers. Source - http://www.thehindu.com