WBC Insurance scheme fails to attract farmers in DK

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, July 8, 2016: Reports state that the much hyped WBCI, Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme has very few takers in Dakshina Kannada district. The central and state governments have jointly introduced WBCI for horticulture crops. While there are 1.95 lakh farmers in Dakshina Kannada, just 1,400 have enrolled for the WBCI scheme since June 24.

 Out of 1.95 lakh farmers, 95,000 have availed farm loans from various banks, but majority of them have not enrolled for the crop insurance scheme though it has been made mandatory by the government.
DK DC  Adoor B Ibrahim held a district-level official meeting here after a state-level video conference in this regard. The DC said banks should take initiatives to ensure that benefits of the scheme are made known to farmers in the district.

Horticulture department deputy director H R Yogish said WBCI scheme is extended to arecanut and pepper crops in the district. Farmers may enroll for the scheme before July 10. A farmer will have to pay Rs 6,250 per hectare for arecanut and Rs 1,875 for pepper. An equal amount will be paid by the government for the insurance scheme. Farmers, who have availed agriculture loans from nationalized/cooperative/ commercial banks have to enroll for the insurance scheme compulsorily.


Meanwhile, those who have not availed loans may enroll for the scheme through banks, where they have savings bank accounts, he said adding that TATA AIG General Insurance Company will be implementing the scheme in the district.