Weather-based insurance scheme for farmers

The Agriculture Department has introduced, for the first time in the State, a weather-based insurance scheme for paddy and mango crops in the district.The scheme will help farmers get compensation for crop loss due to changes in weather conditions. The scheme is envisaged under the National Food Security Scheme implemented in the district, according to officials of the Agriculture Department.The insurance scheme is being introduced in six blocks of the districts namely, Palakkad, Kuzhalmannam, Chittur, Kollengode, Nenmara and Alathur. These are the main paddy growing areas of the district.The premium charged for one hectare of paddy is Rs.449 and the farmer will get a cover of Rs.20,000, they said. For mango, the premium per tree will be between Rs.48 and 90. A farmer could get a compensation amount of up to Rs.750 per tree.

The Hindu, 14^th  January 2009