The State government has extended the last date for enrolment under the Weather-based Crop Insurance Scheme for horticulture crops for the current monsoon season from June 30 to July 10, following the approval given by the Union government for time extension.
The government had sought extension of time to enable more farmers to join the scheme.
A release from the Horticulture Department here said that areca and black pepper have been notified as horticulture crops covered under the insurance scheme.
Enrolment under the scheme is compulsory for farmers who have availed themselves of crop loans from banks, while it is optional for those who have not taken crop loans.
Those having availed of loans have to pay premium through the bank from which the advance has been disbursed and others may pay the premium through the bank in which they have a savings bank account.
Insurance amount
Enrolled areca growers would get Rs. 1.25 lakh insurance amount per hectare (2.5 acres) in the event of crop loss due to natural vagaries. While the total premium would be Rs. 12,500 per hectare for the season, the farmer has to pay Rs. 6,250 and the balance would equally be shared by the Union and State governments.
Similarly, crop insurance available for black pepper would be Rs. 37,500 per hectare with a premium of Rs. 3,750.
The farmer has to pay half of the premium and the two governments would share the balance.
230 GPs
The scheme would be implemented in 230 gram panchayats coming under all hoblis of Dakshina Kannada, except Mangaluru A Hobli, the release said. Tata AIG General Insurance Company Ltd. has been nominated as the insurance company for the district.
Crop loss insurance would be settled on the basis of weather records maintained by rain gauges established at gram panchayats by the India Meteorological Department and agricultural universities.
Enrolment procedure
Farmers who have not taken crop loans have to submit RTC, savings bank account pass book, Aadhaar number or any other identity proof and a self-declared crop letter of the land along with the application to pay the premium. Crop loss insurance would be settled through Aadhaar Card-enabled RTGS/ NEFT.
Source - www.thehindu.com
