BANGALORE : Karnataka has been declared at the top in the implementation of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bhima (PMFBY) scheme at the National Conference held in Chhattisgarh.
The Government Secretary, Agriculture Department, Government of Karnataka received the award from the Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India at the National Conference held in Chhattisgarh on 14th April
From 2018 to May 31, 2022, claims of 5.66 lakh farmers amounting to Rs 687.4 crore were pending due to various operational and technical reasons. A state-wide campaign was launched to complete this. Due to these efforts, pending claims of 5.66 lakh farmers amounting to Rs 687.4 crore have been settled since 2018. 5.66 lakh farmers have benefited due to the prompt service of the department.
In 2021, 16.15 lakh farmers were registered for PMFBY and in 2022 the number of farmers enrolled has increased to 23.86 lakh. This is a record increase of 47.74 percent in enrollment compared to the previous year. Similarly, in 2021, an area of 13.35 lakh hectares has been insured in the state under the PMFBY scheme and in 2022 this has increased to 18.94 lakh hectares. This is an increase of 41.8 percent in the insurance area compared to the previous year. This increase was achieved due to massive IEC campaigns across the state.
General Service Centers have been engaged in registration of farmers who have not availed loans for the last 6 years. From 2022, Gram-One centers have been started in the state. 4.66 lakh farmers have been registered through these centers. This has again led to an increase in the enrollment of farmers who did not get loans. Thus the insurance product is made easily available to the farmers. Similarly, in 2022, crop insurance claims of 5.60 lakh farmers affected by natural calamities have already been settled within the same year (which was not done in previous years) under add-on coverages worth Rs 298.57 crore. Percentage in Karnataka. 100% crop yield trials are conducted using CCE Agri App.
“In earlier years insurance compensation to farmers was usually settled after one to two years. This gap discourages farmers from insuring their crops. In order to overcome this delay between insurance filings and payment or settlement, the Department of Agriculture has promoted registration of insurance claims and ensuring that claims are made within the same year. As this method was adopted in 2022 we were able to settle the claims in the same year. “Currently, farmers do not have to wait for years to settle their crop insurance claims,” officials said.
For the entire 3-year tender period, the state has fully released its share by the completion of that year. Insurance companies will settle claims on time due to full release of state’s share. The state has released an advance share of Rs 951 crore for the implementation of the PMFBY scheme in 2023.
By adopting innovative methods in effective implementation of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Karnataka State has set an example for the country by creating awareness among farmers about the scheme and timely settlement of claims.
