Lok Sabha Question No. 517 (STARRED), answered on 2018-04-03
Subject: Agricultural Crop Insurance Scheme
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: R. GOPALAKRISHNAN

## 9GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION & FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. 517

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 3 RD  APRIL, 2018

## AGRICULTURAL CROP INSURANCE SCHEME

- *517.    SHRI R. GOPALAKRISHNAN:

Will  the  Minister  of  AGRICULTURE  AND  FARMERS  WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण ½ãâ¨ããè be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  it  is  a  fact  that  the  benefits  of  various  agricultural  crop  insurance schemes  are  not reaching the majority of the farmers, who  are  the intended beneficiaries, in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to ensure that the benefits of the schemes reach the deserving and intended beneficiaries?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण

- (a) to (c):

½ãâ¨ããè (SHRI RADHA MOHAN SINGH) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (c)  OF  LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 517  DUE FOR REPLY ON 3 RD  APRIL, 2018.

(a) to (c):    The Pradhan  Mantri  Fasal  Bima  Yojana (PMFBY) was introduced from April, 2016  with  a  view  to  benefit  maximum  number  of  farmers.    The  scheme  provides  a comprehensive  risk  cover  to  farmers  against  all  non-preventable  natural  risks  from  presowing to post-harvest at very low premium rate for farmers ranging between 1.5% to 5% with  the  Government  bearing  the  remaining  actuarial/bidded    premium  cost.        However, the  benefits  of the  scheme can reach the farmers only in such States that have opted to implement  the  scheme    for  areas  and  crops  notified  by  them.      Further,  the  scheme  is compulsory for loanee farmers it is optional for the non-loanee farmers.

In order that the benefits  of  the  scheme  reach  the  deserving  and  intended beneficiaries, the Government,  both Centre and State and implementing insurance companies are taking a number of measures to enhance coverage and increase awareness about the scheme.  Accordingly, targets have been fixed to increase coverage to 50% of Gross Cropped Area (GCA) by 2018-19 and States have been advised to cover more areas and crops under the scheme.  Similarly, empanelled insurance companies were advised to increase  manpower  and  infrastructure  at  grass-root  level.    For  coverage  of  more  nonloanees, Common Service Centers (CSCs) have been engaged and online coverage has been  initiated  through  National  Crop  Insurance  Portal  in  addition  to  traditional  mode  of coverage  through  banks,  insurance  companies  and  their  intermediaries.    To  increase awareness  about  the  schemes,  the  States  and  insurance  companies  undertake  publicity campaign/awareness programmes including organization of camps, publicity of features and benefits   of the    scheme through   advertisements   in leading National/local News Papers,

-2- telecast through audio-visual media, distribution of pamphlets in local languages, participation in agriculture fairs / mela / goshti, dissemination of SMS through Kisan Portal and conduct of workshops/ trainings.

As  a  result  of  all  such  efforts,  the  coverage  of  farmer  applicants  has  increased substantially from 485 lakh in 2015-16 under erstwhile schemes  to  574  lakh in 2016-17 and area insured has increased from  524 lakh ha. to 571 lakh ha.

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