Crop insurance is important as it protects the cultivators against losses caused by crop failure. It also acts like a tool that allows growers to manage their yield & price risks. In order to give some relief to farmers during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Andhra Pradesh government has launched a free of cost crop insurance scheme. YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister had made an announcement about the scheme during 'YSR Rythu Dinotsavam'.
The Free Crop Insurance scheme has come as a big boon to the cultivators as almost all the notified crops would now be covered under it. A large number of farmers are availing the opportunity as they have to pay just Rs 1 to get registered under the scheme.
The number of farmers enrolled for crop insurance went up by 154% in 2019 after Andhra Chief Minister announced the free crop insurance scheme on 8th July, which is celebrated as the YSR Rythu Dinotsavam.
The number of farmers enrolled went up from 16.69 lakh in 2018 to 25.73 lakh in 2019 and the number is likely to increase further in the present Kharif season, with the Andhra government issuing notification for free crop insurance mentioning the type of crops covered under the scheme.
Officials said that the objective was to cover almost all the farmers in the Andhra Pradesh cultivating the notified crops and ensure that in case of crop loss, the claims are settled without any delay, so that the growers can invest in the next crop.
G Chandra, a farmer in Kadapa said that “Free Insurance Scheme augurs well for the farmers. Now they will feel less burdened & at the same time assured of insurance coverage, so they can cover the losses in case of any natural calamities & go for next crops without delay”.
It must be noted that the Andhra Pradesh government is already distributing seeds, pesticides and fertilizers to farmers apart from 'Rythu Bharosa' amount. The officials have also committed to ensuring Minimum Support Price for the state's farmers.
