Coconut & Rubber in Central Insurance Scheme, Coverage Extended to Rs 1 Lakh per Hectare

The Indian central government has taken a significant stride in bolstering agricultural security with the expansion of the Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme. This visionary move now encompasses a broader range of crops, including coconut and rubber, and even extends coverage up to Rs 1 lakh per hectare. Notably, small grains and legumes have also found their place under the protective umbrella of this scheme.

By including these additions, the majority of crops overseen by the state agriculture department will now enjoy the safeguard of the central scheme. Beyond the scope of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), which chiefly addresses complete crop destruction, this extended scheme extends its embrace to crop damages attributed to climate shifts. Moreover, it provides coverage in cases where substantial yield reduction is caused by adverse weather conditions.

In a parallel track, the state agriculture department's insurance predominantly caters to crops that suffer total devastation. With weather-based crop insurance now reaching every corner of the state, including flood-prone regions such as Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta districts, and the Kuttanad region, a new layer of protection emerges.

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The finer specifics encompassing climatic factors and recording methods for each crop incorporated into this expansive scheme will be unveiled in the imminent days. The extension of the central scheme, which initially covered select agricultural crops within districts hosting meteorological stations, signals the intention to erect weather stations across all panchayats.

The Ministry of Agriculture is orchestrating this initiative through the Agricultural Insurance Company, a sub-sector entity, in close collaboration with the State Department of Agriculture. Intriguingly, the central government is also mulling over a proposal to amalgamate the diverse insurance systems operating within the agriculture sector.

Among the gamut of adversities it covers, this insurance is designed to offset losses stemming from insufficient rainfall, drought, heavy rains, ill-timed precipitation, pest invasions, gusty winds, and even landslides. This economic cushioning will be seamlessly transferred to the accounts of farmers.

With this holistic approach, the central government is charting an inspiring course to alleviate the vulnerabilities faced by farmers due to unpredictable weather patterns. The expansion of this scheme, coupled with the proposition of a unified insurance landscape for agriculture, exemplifies the administration's commitment to securing the livelihoods of those at the heart of India's agricultural tapestry.

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