Question : Betel Leaf Cultivation

(a) whether the Government is aware that betel leaf cultivation is done in 13 States of the country including Sandalpur, Aantri and Cheenor villages of Bhitarwar, Gwalior and Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh and the crop gets destroyed due to excess heat, cold and rain;

(b) if so, whether betel leaf crop was destroyed totally in Gwalior as recently temperature came down to 2.2 celsius there;

(c) whether farmers do not have adequate resources for the next crop as compensation given to them is quite meagre and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether cultivation of betel leaf is not covered under crop insurance scheme; and

(e) if so, whether the Government proposes to include betel leaf cultivation under Crop Insurance Scheme?

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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(a): Betel leaf is widely cultivated in the different States of the country including in Sandalpur, Aantri and Cheenor villages of Bhitarwar, Gwalior and Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh and that adverse weather conditions affect the betel leaf production.

(b) & (c): No such information has been received in the Ministry.

(d) & (e): Financial support to farmers suffering crop loss/damage arising out of natural calamities & adverse weather incidence are provided under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) & Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (WBCIS). Crops and area under PMBSY and WBCIS are notified by the concerned State/UT Government. Government of Madhya Pradesh has informed that Betel vine is not covered under crop insurance.

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