The State government has introduced a Restructured Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS) for mango farmers, covering the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons. The initiative, aimed at mitigating crop losses due to weather calamities, was announced by Agriculture Minister K. Atchannaidu in the Legislative Assembly.
Under the scheme, the State has been divided into four clusters for implementation. The Agriculture Insurance Company of India Limited has been appointed as the implementation agency. Farmers in 15 identified districts will benefit, with the scheme offering compensation for crop losses. However, the districts of Krishna, West Godavari, Prakasam, and Visakhapatnam have been excluded.
According to G.O.Rt.No. 752 issued by Special Chief Secretary B. Rajasekhar, the scheme includes both Kharif and Rabi seasons, with mangoes added as an additional crop during Rabi. Farmers in Cluster 1, comprising Anantapuram, will pay a 15% premium. Those in Cluster 3, which includes NTR, Kakinada, YSR Kadapa, Annamayya, Vizianagaram, SPSR Nellore, and Chittoor districts, will pay 16.77%. In Cluster 4, covering Srikakulam, Sri Satyasai, Tirupati, and East Godavari districts, farmers will pay a 17.74% premium. Farmers in Cluster 5, which includes Nandyal, Anakapalli, and Eluru, will pay 16.08%.
Participation in the scheme is voluntary for both loanee and non-loanee farmers. Marginal farmers, who will contribute between 15% and 17.74% of the premium, are expected to benefit significantly from this initiative. The scheme aims to provide financial security to mango farmers by addressing crop losses caused by adverse weather conditions.
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