Quepem: The Union government has selected South Goa for the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana scheme. It aims at supporting sustainable production in agriculture by providing financial support to farmers suffering crop loss/damage arising out of natural calamities like hailstorm, drought, floods, cyclones, heavy and unseasonal rains, attack of disease and pest.
Deputy chief minister and agriculture minister Chandrakant ‘Babu’ Kavlekar said that farmers have to pay only 2% premium to the insurance company, and in case of any disaster, the insurance company will pay the balance assured amount.
The state and the Centre will bear the insurance amount equally. Future Generali India Insurance Co Ltd, Mumbai in Goa has been appointed for the period from 2019 to 2022.
The Quepem MLA urged the farmers to avail various agricultural schemes which are in force including purchase of tractor and other machineries at subsidised rates.
He flagged off the awareness drive in the presence of director of agriculture Neville Alphonso at the Quepem municipal building on Thursday. The government has declared insurance cover to farmers for different types of crops in both Kharif and Rabi seasons.
Kavlekar also flagged off a special vehicle which will cover all the panchayat areas in south Goa for educating the farmers in respect of insurance schemes.
During kharif season 2021, farmers have to pay Rs 1,335 as premium for rice crop and the sum insured is Rs 66,750. The premium for groundnut crop is Rs 950 with the sum insured of Rs. 37,500, while Rs 6,000 as premium for sugarcane with the assured sum of Rs 1,20,000. The last date for enrolment is July 31, 2021.
Alphonso said that out of 2,518 farmers, only 658 farmers have been the beneficiaries of the insurance scheme so far. The amount received by these farmers for their 1,358 hectares of land is just Rs 13.91 lakh.
Source: The Times of India
12-07-2021
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