Thiruvananthapuram: The notification of the national agricultural insurance scheme being implemented jointly by the Central and State Governments and the Agricultural Insurance Company of India has been issued.

Under it, insurance cover will be available during the rabi 1 (October to December) and rabi 2 (January to March) periods for paddy, tapioca and plantain crops affected by flood, landslide, storm, heavy rain, cyclone, heat wave, lightning and thunder, natural fire outbreak and pest attacks and diseases.

The crops should be insured before December 31 by farmers who have taken loans for rabi 1 crop and before November 30 by the other farmers.

Those who have taken loans for rabi 2 crop should insure their crops before March 31, 2007 and the other farmers before December 31.

The insurance scheme is open to all farmers including those doing lease cropping. Paddy, plantain and tapioca farmers who have taken loans from banks or cooperative societies should compulsorily and the other farmers in their own interests should insure their crops.

For the farmers who take loans, the loan amount is the minimum insurance amount. The premium for paddy is 2 per cent subject to a maximum of Rs.6,800 per acre for rabi 1 period and a maximum of Rs.6,280 for rabi 2 period.

Premium

For banana cultivation, the premium is 1.35 per cent subject to a maximum of Rs.58,280 for rabi 1 and 3.05 per cent for other varieties of plantain subject to a maximum of Rs.24,840 for rabi 2 season.

For tapioca, the premium is 2.95 per cent subject to a maximum amount of Rs.51,520 for rabi 1 and 1.75 per cent subject to a maximum of Rs.48,680 for rabi 2.

In addition to it, crops can be covered on the basis of additional coverage also.

The Central and State Governments will provide 10 per cent of the premium amount as subsidy to small and marginal farmers with holdings of up to two hectares.

Compensation

The farmers covered by the scheme will be given compensation if the actual yield is less than what they should have got.

Separate application need not be submitted for getting compensation.

The compensation will be credited in their account through the nodal bank.

In the case of farmers who have not taken loans, the insurance scheme will be implemented through the bank close to their holding.

Details can be had from the Regional Manager, Agricultural Insurance Company Limited, Bakery Junction, Vazhuthacaud, Thiruvananthapuram (Telephone no. 0471-23344931 and 23344989) or from Krishi Bhavans.

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