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Farmers in seven Haryana districts lack crop insurance, highlighting the need for government action to safeguard agricultural livelihoods.
The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Beema Yojana, a government initiative aimed at aiding farmers in the face of natural disasters, seems to have hit a roadblock in seven districts of Haryana. Farmers in these districts, including Hisar, Mahendragarh, Gurugram, Karnal, Ambala, Sonipat, and Jind, are left without the safety net of crop insurance as no insurance companies have stepped forward to provide coverage.
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With the absence of insurance providers, farmers are left wondering where to seek compensation for crop losses incurred due to natural calamities such as storms, rain, hailstorms, floods, and unseasonal rain. The lack of coverage raises questions about the effectiveness of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Beema Yojana in extending support to those in need.
Karnal, one of the affected districts, faces a crisis as farmers grapple with damaged crops due to recent rain and hailstorms. Despite the prevalent losses of agriculture, the crop insurance scheme has not been implemented in the district, leaving farmers in distress.
Farmers advocate for government-led crop insurance to ensure comprehensive coverage and adequate compensation for crop losses. They argue that the current system, reliant on private insurers, falls short of providing fair compensation to individual farmers.
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Under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Beema Yojana, farmers are required to pay premiums ranging from 1.5% for Rabi crops to 2% for Kharif season crops. Additionally, premiums for horticulture or commercial crops stand at 5%. Compensation is provided if crop damage exceeds 33% due to natural disasters, contingent upon timely reporting of losses to relevant authorities.
As farmers grapple with the aftermath of crop damage, the government faces mounting pressure to address the deficiencies in the crop insurance scheme. The plight of farmers underscores the urgent need for comprehensive and accessible support mechanisms to safeguard agricultural livelihoods.
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The absence of insurance coverage in seven Haryana districts leaves farmers vulnerable to crop losses without recourse. Urgent government intervention is necessary to ensure comprehensive and equitable crop insurance, addressing the plight of farmers and safeguarding their livelihoods against natural disasters.