Mangaluru: Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University and ICAR – Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Dakhsina Kannada jointly organised an awareness programme on the central crop insurance scheme – Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna (PMFBY) at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) at Fisheries College premises here, on April 13.
Before the programme, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel inaugurated the exhibition on agriculture and fisheries by cutting a ribbon. The awareness programme was inaugurated by MP Nalin Kumar Kateel by lighting the traditional lamp along with other dignitaries. Senior Scientist and Chief of KVK, Dr Shivkumar Magadha welcomed the gathering.
Speaking on the occasion, Nalin said, “Our nation is highly dependent on agriculture and our leaders have promoted agtriculture, with Lal Bahadur Shastri’s slogan ‘Jai Jawan Jai Kisan’, Atal Bihari Vajpayee issuing Kisan Cards and when Narendra Modi was the Chief Minister, he gave 24 hour irrigation to farmlands of Gujarat. Now when he is the Prime Minister, he has given the farmers, PMFBY.”
He further said, “Under this new crop insurance scheme, farmers are covered even if the crop loss is 30%. Earlier to avail the insurance, there had to be a crop loss of more than 50%. PMFBY will also cover all crops and will not be limited to food crops. In the future, crop loss due to wild animal intervention will also be covered. Such a good scheme should reach the nooks and corners of the nation and all farmers should benefit from it. I congratulate the departments that have organised this awareness programme.”
Nalin also said that the Prime Minister was working towards separating fisheries from agriculture and giving better schemes and tools to the fishermen and dairy.
ZP CEO Srividya said, “Though PKFBY was launched in January, many farmers are still unaware of the scheme. People have several doubts and are reluctant to get themselves enrolled. The insurance scheme is good as it covers a wide variety of crops and the premium amount is very less.”
Joint Director of Agriculture Department, Dr Kempegowda said, “There were crop insurance schemes prior to this scheme, but the main difference between them and PMFBY is that only food crops were insured earlier, but under the latter, even plantation crops are covered.”
Handbills and pamphlets spreading awareness on the scheme were released by ZP CEO Srividya and Soil Health Cards and Water Health Cards were issued symbolically to two farmers on the occasion.
Dean of Fisheries, Dr KM Shankar, Assistant General Manager, NABARD, Prasad Rao and others were also present.
Nice article and readablity and photographs are good. Thanks for good coverage