Government Introduces Insurance Scheme to Extend Aid to Cotton Farmers

To address the plight of cotton farmers excluded from Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) in Cluster 2 districts, the Agriculture Department introduced the Haryana Fasal Suraksha Yojana (HFSY).

Cluster 2, consisting of seven districts, faces the loss of kharif crops. The government notified this scheme on September 22, 2023, covering Hisar, Jind, Ambala, Gurugram, Karnal, Mahendragarh, and Sonepat.

According to the notification, farmers must pay a Rs 1,500 fee on crops registered on the Meri Fasal Mera Bayora (MFMB) portal. In return, the government will offer a maximum financial assistance of Rs 30,000 per acre based on crop-cutting experiments (CCE). However, issues have arisen due to the absence of clear government guidelines for scheme implementation.

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Cotton growers in Hisar, facing extensive damage from pink bollworm, were left without insurance due to their inclusion in Cluster 2 noted an agricultural expert. Approximately 1.4 lakh hectares of cotton fields in Hisar, caused by pink bollworm infestations were noted and the insurance firm's refusal stemming from a legal case caused farmers to face major challenges as said. 

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Farmers, like Anil Singh from Gorchi village, have faced challenges. He paid premiums for his cotton crop but has yet to receive any insurance coverage. Critics point out that the HFSY focuses solely on cotton, leaving other kharif crops like paddy, moong, and bajra without relief, even though they've also suffered losses due to floods and deficient rains in Cluster 2 districts.

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