(a) whether the Government is aware of the problems being faced by the farmers engaged in cultivation of betel due to the absence of the Crop Insurance Scheme (CIS) for betel;
(b) if so, whether the Government proposes to include the betel crop under the CIS; and
(c) if so,by when it is likely to be implemented?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY
OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI KANTILAL BHURIA):
(a) Yes, Sir.
(b) and (c) Betel is a perennial crop with multi-picking yield. At present, it is not
covered under National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS).
Joint group constituted to study the improvements required in the existing crop insurance
schemes have considered various issues including insurance cover for perennial horticultural
crops. The Group has submitted its report. The Government, at present, is in the process of
consulting various stakeholders on the recommendations of the Group.