India - Insurers told to add staff for crop cover

25.03.2019 368 views
The regulator IRDAI wants insurance companies to deploy adequate manpower in each cluster for effective implementation of crop insurance schemes. The authority has been receiving various complaints and suggestions on claims. In this light, it has made a set of suggestions, which includes deploying enough manpower to liaison with state governments and to create awareness about Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana at grass-root level. They should also support the bank branches, intermediaries and agents in uploading the details of insured farmers and beneficiaries with all requisite details on the National Crop lnsurance Portal on time. In each cluster these employees should observe the Crop Cutting Experiments and allied activities. Insurance companies also should designate an authorized person for each allocated cluster. This designated person should be senior level permanent employee of the company having sufficient decision making powers for smooth implementation of the crop insurance schemes.  Insurers must ensure proper representation in crop insurance meetings called for by relevant stakeholders. Senior level officials having the required decision making power should be deputed for such meetings. The companies should put in place a robust system to register all requests of individual loss assessment. Where a request for individual loss assessment is rejected, a written rejection letter mentioning the reason should be sent to insured. For all other cases, loss assessment survey should be done as per prescribed guidelines. IRDAI also wants the companies to conduct widespread awareness programmes for educating farmer on scheme guidelines, claim settlement process and grievance redressal process and all the details provided on the websites and through the call centres should be available in the vernacular language as well. Source - https://www.asianage.com
02.11.2025

Recent hailstorm damages 2,000 apple orchards in India

A hailstorm in early June caused extensive damage to apple crops across fifteen villages in the Zainapora constituency of Jammu and Kashmir, affecting more than 2,000 orchardists, according to a government statement.

02.11.2025

South Africa - SA’s first parametric insurance set to boost local smallholder farmers

South Africa’s agricultural industry is underpinned by over 2 million smallholder farms – each playing a vital role in sustaining local food security and supporting rural economies.

02.11.2025

Japan university to support farmers to convert agricultural residue into energy

In a groundbreaking initiative that bridges technology, education, and sustainable development, Japanese heavy equipment manufacturer Komatsu and Ishikawa Prefectural University are working on a project aimed at converting agricultural residues in Cambodia into clean energy and fertiliser, according to various Japanese media reports.

02.11.2025

Hurricane Melissa Leaves Jamaica’s Agriculture in Ruins

Hurricane Melissa has caused severe damage across Jamaica, hitting farmers and fishers who were still recovering from Hurricane Beryl last year.

02.11.2025

Kenya - Pastoralists in Balambala count loses after downpour kills livestock

Herders in Shimbirey and Saka in Balambala subcounty, Garissa, are counting heavy losses following a night of heavy rainfall that killed dozens of goats and sheep.

02.11.2025

Doosan Robotics partners with Daedong to develop advanced technology for agriculture

Doosan Robotics has signed an agreement with agritech company Daedong to jointly develop on-device AI technology and business collaboration in the agricultural robotics sector.

30.10.2025

Mexico’s tomato industry adapts to new U.S. tariffs

The United States' decision to reimpose a 17% antidumping duty on Mexican tomatoes has created new uncertainty for the country's exporters. For decades, Mexico has supplied most of the fresh tomatoes consumed in the U.S. market, maintaining an integrated supply chain that supports thousands of rural jobs. The latest tariffs threaten to disrupt that system.

30.10.2025

Nigeria - Kaduna Invests €10 Million to Boost Dairy Production and Modernise Livestock Sector

The Kaduna State Government has invested €10 million in the establishment of Arla Farm at Damau in Kubau Local Government Area to modernise livestock production, attract private investment, and strengthen the state’s position in Nigeria’s dairy industry.