3,900 farmers opt for scheme in Faridabad

Tribune News Service

Faridabad, August 14

Of 30,000 farmers registered with the district Agriculture Department, 3,900 farmers were covered under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana till August 2.

The last date to pay the premium was August 10. The final data is being complied.

One of reasons for the poor response is reportedly the amount of premium. A private insurance company charged premium between Rs202 and Rs505 per acre.

The premium for corn (maize) and bajra was fixed at Rs202.34 and Rs222.88 per acre, respectively. As for cotton and paddy, the premium was Rs485 and Rs505 per acre, respectively.

Regional Agricultural Development Officer Anand Kumar pointed out other reasons. “Area under crops in Faridabad is less than other districts. This is one reason for tepid response to the scheme. Farmers who did pay off their debts were ineligible, hence the poor response.”