Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana will be implemented in Sikkim from Rabi Season 2016-2017 onwards

Gangtok, 19 December 19: The ‘Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana’ (PMFBY) scheme which was launched by the Government of India in the beginning of the year will be implemented in the State of Sikkim from Rabi Season 2016-2017 onwards. An awareness programme to this effect was organised for the officers and field functionaries of Food Security & Agriculture Development Department and farmer representatives of East District here at SAMETI Hall Tadong today.

The programme was graced by State Agriculture Minister Mr Somnath Poudyal as the Chief Guest.

The scheme will be implemented in all the four districts of Sikkim by the Agriculture Insurance Company of India (AICI), a Government of India undertaking company. A detailed presentation on the scheme was made by Chief Regional Manager, AICI, Mr K.K. Mohapatra. He laid down the objectives of the scheme, the road-map for implementation and the details of insurance coverage under the scheme. Mr Mohapatra informed that insurance coverage is compulsory for all farmers having loan sanctioned or renewed during the period up to 15th January 2017 for cultivating the notified crops in the notified areas, while for non-loanee farmers, insurance is optional or voluntary. He further informed that the notified crops to be covered under the scheme are Ginger, Potato, Barley, Wheat, Buck Wheat, Rape & Mustard. Likewise, the scheme will be implemented in selected gram panchayat which fall under the notified area. Mr Mohapatra further informed that the cut off date for taking the insurance coverage under this scheme for all types of farmers as fixed by the Government of India is 15th of January, 2017.

Minister Mr Poudyal in his address stressed on the need for comprehensive understanding of the scheme by all the officers and field functionaries so that it can be passed on to the farmers. He urged the field functionaries to adequately equip themselves with all the technical knowhow about the scheme as it is a new scheme and farmers need to be thoroughly convinced about the benefits of this scheme. He called for adequate awareness and sensitization at all levels.

Earlier, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, FS&ADD, Mr Puneet Kansal in his key note address highlighted the benefits of the scheme and informed that an estimated 28000 hectare agricultural land in the state will be engaged for cultivation of the notified crops during Rabi Season 2016-17. He expressed hope that all the farmers of Sikkim will reap the benefit of the insurance scheme. He added that full use of technology will be used to assess the loss resulting from failure of crops.

It is pertinent to mention here that the following risks will be covered under the PMFBY scheme:

1.      Prevented Sowing: Insured Area is prevented from sowing/planting due to deficit rainfall or adverse seasonal conditions.

2.      Standing Crop: (sowing to harvesting) To cover yield loss due to non-preventable risks, viz. Drought, dry spells, flood, inundation, pests and diseases, landslides, natural fire & Lightening, storm, hailstorm, cyclone, typhoon, tempest, hurricane, and tornado.

3.      Post-Harvest Losses: Coverage against cyclone and cyclonic rains and unseasonable rains for the crops which are allowed to dry in cut & spread condition in the field. The cover is available for a maximum period of fourteen days after harvesting.

4.      Localized Calamity: Losses due to hailstorm, landslide, and inundation affecting isolated farmers in the notified area.

5.      Area based claim after the end of season on the basis of Data obtained for Crop Cutting Experiment (CCE) based on GCES.

Earlier, Joint Director, Agriculture (Census) Mrs N.C. Tonyot in her welcome address gave a brief introduction about the Scheme and details of its proposed implementation in the State.

The programme had the presence of District Collector, East, Mr Prabhakar Verma, Director SAMETI, senior officers of the Agriculture and Horticulture Departments, General manager SISCO bank, senior officers of AICI, officers from Banks, representatives from NABARD, field functionaries and farmer representatives.