Life insurance cover for livestock in Himachal

Shimla, February 12

The Department of Animal Husbandry has started a life insurance scheme for sheep and goats in the state. Farmers and shepherds can buy an insurance cover for their sheep and goats aged four months to four years.

“Until now, the insurance cover was available only to farmers, who had taken loan or under some government scheme. This covered just 5 per cent to 10 per cent of the total livestock. Now, the cover is available for entire herd ranging from four months to four years,” said Avinash Sharma, Joint Director, Animal Husbandry. The premium has been fixed at 11.27 per cent of the actual cost of the animal.

He said the need for offering a widespread cover was felt after several sheep and goats died last year in landslides and due to untimely snowfall in higher reaches. “Farmers and shepherds suffered huge losses as many of their animals died simultaneously. So, the scheme is aimed at providing relief to the farmers and the shepherds as and when they lose their sheep and goats due to an accident or disease,” he added.

As per the last census, there are around 19 lakh goats and sheep in the state. “We feel the number will be less at present. We expect it to be around 12 lakh to 14 lakh. Out of the total number, around 50 per cent are migratory herds and the remaining are domesticated,” Sharma said.

Akshay Jasrotia, adviser to the Ghumantu Pashupalak Mahasangh, said that the comprehensive insurance cover for goats and sheep was a step in the right direction as these animals were prone to all kind of dangers. “The migratory flock face all sorts of dangers, from natural disasters like landslides, untimely snowfall to falling off height and threat of wild animals. If implemented properly, the scheme will provide a big relief to the affected shepherds and farmers,” said Jasrotia. “Also, the shepherds are prone to various threats and dangers. They should be offered some cover to make it a complete package,” he added.