Farmers urged to insure rabi crops by December 15
Deputy Commissioner Mukesh Repaswal on Tuesday urged farmers in Chamba district to insure their rabi crops under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme by December 15. Chairing a district-level monitoring committee meeting, he emphasised the importance of crop insurance for financial security against natural calamities.
The DC said wheat and barley crops would be insured for the 2024-25 rabi season through the empaneled Kshema General Insurance Limited. Highlighting the previous rabi season, he noted that 5,731 farmers insured their crops, contributing a premium of Rs 10.24 lakh. He also informed that after assessing losses caused by drought during the last Kharif season, 1,776 farmers were deemed eligible for compensation.
So far, Rs 7 lakh has been credited to the bank accounts of the affected farmers. Similarly, Rs 17.11 lakh will soon be disbursed to farmers under the weather-based insurance scheme for losses incurred on crops like peas, tomatoes and cabbage.
Detailing about the premium rate, Repaswal said farmers need to pay Rs 72 per bigha for wheat insurance, with compensation up to Rs 4,800 per bigha for natural calamity-induced losses. For barley, the premium is Rs 60 per bigha, with a maximum compensation of Rs 4,000 per bigha. Farmers can avail of this facility through Lok Mitra Kendras, Jan Seva Kendras, or directly via the online portal before the December 15 deadline.
The DC emphasised the simple registration process, requiring farmers to provide a photograph, ID proof and land records. He also clarified that crop insurance for borrowing farmers would be handled by banks with their consent.
Additionally, Repaswal directed the Agriculture Department and lead bank managers to intensify efforts to include Kisan Credit Card (KCC) holders under the insurance scheme. He set a target to enroll at least 15,000 farmers out of the district’’s 30,270 KCC holders.
