Farmers Miss Out on PM Crop Insurance Scheme Benefits in Haryana

Key Highlights

• Farmers in Ambala, Karnal, Sonipat, Hisar, Jind, Mahendragarh, and Gurugram lack PM Crop Insurance Scheme coverage.
• Farmers demand compensation for last year's damaged cotton crop.
• Scheme active in 15 districts across clusters one and three.
• 2% premium for Kharif crops, and 5% for commercial/horticultural crops.

Farmers in Haryana are seeking compensation from the government for the cotton crop they lost last year. Despite many beneficial schemes like the PM Crop Insurance Scheme, which helps farmers recover from crop losses due to natural disasters, some farmers are left without coverage.

What is the PM Crop Insurance Scheme?

The PM Crop Insurance Scheme, also known as the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, provides insurance for Kharif and Rabi crops, as well as horticultural and commercial crops. With the monsoon season approaching, farmers are preparing to sow their Kharif crops and need insurance to protect against potential losses.

Coverage Gaps in Haryana

In Haryana, farmers in Ambala, Karnal, Sonipat, Hisar, Jind, Mahendragarh, and Gurugram (known as cluster two) will not receive coverage under the PM Crop Insurance Scheme for the third consecutive crop season. This is because no insurance company has agreed to implement the scheme in these districts.

Farmer’s Struggle Without Insurance

Last year and earlier this year, farmers in cluster two were also left without insurance. Local farmers are frustrated as they have been unable to secure proper insurance coverage since the scheme started in the state in 2016. Anil Sharma, a farmer from Kirtan village, shared that he couldn't get insurance for his cotton crop despite paying the premium, which was later returned by the insurance company.

Which Districts Are Covered?

The PM Crop Insurance Scheme is active in 15 districts of Haryana, divided into clusters one and three. Cluster one includes Panchkula, Kurukshetra, Sirsa, Faridabad, Kaithal, Bhiwani, and Rewari. Cluster three covers Yamunanagar, Panipat, Palwal, Rohtak, Fatehabad, Jhajjar, Mewat, and Charkhi Dadri.

Farmer’s Voices on Insurance Cover

In Hisar, about 200,000 farmers grow cotton, paddy, millet, and guar. Despite promises, they haven't received adequate insurance coverage. Farmers argue that the government should ensure the PM Crop Insurance Scheme is implemented in all districts to help them recover from crop losses.

Administration's Response

Rajbir Singh, Deputy Director of the Agriculture Department, Hisar, stated that no insurance company is willing to implement the scheme in cluster two. As a result, farmers in these districts remain without insurance benefits.

Insured Kharif Crops

Under the PM Crop Insurance Scheme, farmers can insure major Kharif season crops like cereals, millets, pulses, and oilseed crops. They can also insure horticultural and commercial crops, paying a premium of 2% for Kharif crops and 5% for commercial or horticultural crops.

Insurance Amounts for Kharif Crops in Haryana

Here are the insurance amounts fixed for different Kharif crops in Haryana:

• Paddy: Rs 96,371 per hectare
• Millet: Rs 46,456 per hectare
• Maize: Rs 49,421 per hectare
• Cotton: Rs 98,595 per hectare
• Moong: Rs 43,243 per hectare

Farmers hope the government will take steps to ensure that all districts benefit from the PM Crop Insurance Scheme, providing them with much-needed security against crop losses.

Also Read: MSP Increased for 14 Kharif Crops Including Paddy, Millet, and Ragi

CMV360 Says

The lack of insurance coverage under the PM Crop Insurance Scheme in several Haryana districts leaves farmers vulnerable to losses. Despite their demands and significant crop damage last year, no insurance companies have stepped forward to implement the scheme in cluster two. The government must address this gap to ensure all farmers can benefit from the scheme, providing them with essential financial protection against natural disasters.