Why in news
The Union Cabinet extended the special subsidy on Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) fertilizer and approved the continuation of key insurance schemes for farmers.
Recent Key Measures to Support Indian Farmers
Extension of ₹3,500 per metric tonne subsidy on DAP until further notice (starting January 1, 2025).
Continuation of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme until 2025-26 with ₹69,515.71 crore allocation
Setting up of Fund for Innovation and Technology (FIAT) with ₹824.77 crore for tech improvements in insurance schemes.
Implementation of Weather Information and Network Data System (WINDS) to enhance weather data.
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)
Launched in 2016
Purpose: Comprehensive crop insurance from pre-sowing to post-harvest period
Type: Central Sector Scheme.
Nature: Demand-driven scheme and is voluntary for the States as well as farmers
Implementing Agency: Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) and the concerned State.
Coverage of Farmers: All farmers including sharecroppers and tenant farmers can avail it.
However, in 2020, the scheme was made optional for all farmers including farmers who have taken agri-loans.
Coverage of Crops: Food crops (Cereals, Millets and Pulses); Oilseeds; Annual Commercial / Annual Horticultural crops, etc.
Premium to be paid: Premium is paid as % of the sum assured or Actuarial Premium Rate (APR), whichever is less. APR is the premium rate set by insurance companies.
Premium by farmers:
2% for Kharif crops
1.5% for Rabi crops
5% for commercial horticulture crops
Other notable features: Compulsory use of at least 0.5% of the gross premium collected by insurance companies for IEC activities; intensive use of technology; freedom to States to choose risk cover as per requirements, etc.
Key Initiatives under PMFBY
DigiClaim: Under it all the claims are worked out through National Crop Insurance Portal (NCIP).
CROPIC (Collection of Real Time Observations and Photo of Crops).
Weather Information Network Data Systems (WINDS) portal.
Yield Estimation System, based on Technology (YES-TECH) Manual.
Door enrollment app AIDE/Sahayak.
Forecasting Agricultural output using Space, Agro- meteorology and Land based observations (FASAL) project.
National Agricultural Drought Assessment and Monitoring System (NADAMS).
ISRO’s Geo-platform, Bhuvan, provides data on plantation, pest surveillance and weather.
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