(a) whether the Government has evaluated the effectiveness of the Pilot Weather-based Crop
Insurance Scheme implemented during the Kharif 2007 season;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the details of the modifications proposed in the scheme in the light of the evaluation
done?
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI SHARAD PAWAR)
(a) to (c): It was considered pre-mature to make formal evaluation of Pilot Weather Based
Crop Insurance Scheme (WBCIS) in view of limited experience of its implementation in one
crop season. As announced in the Union Budget for 2007-08, Pilot WBCIS was implemented in
Kharif 2007 in some selected areas i.e. 70 hoblies, of Karnataka State only.
The Pilot WBCIS is continued in rabi 2007-08 with greater coverage in terms of
areas/crops. It was also decided to involve private insurers i.e. ICICI-Lombard and IFFCO-
TOKIO General Insurance companies which have similar experience in the implementation of
WBCIS.