Question : NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL INSURANCE SCHEME

(a) whether the Government is operating the National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS) in the country including Rajasthan on the basis of area approach;

(b) if so, the details of the notified unit area under the scheme;

(c) whether on the recommendations of the Joint Group on Crop Insurance constituted by the Government, the proposal of the modified NAIS for the farmers has been finalised;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether any campaign has been launched by the Government agencies to make the farmers aware of this scheme; and

(f) if so, the details thereof, and if not, the reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE(SHRI SHARAD PAWAR)

(a) to (f): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (f) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 273 DUE FOR REPLY ON 16TH MARCH, 2010.

(a): Yes, Madam.

(b): The details of unit area of insurance for different States under the scheme is at Annexure.

(c) & (d): A proposal of Modified National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (MNAIS) based on the recommendations of the Joint Group has been prepared incorporating the major improvements in the existing National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS) suggested by the Joint Group such as reduction in unit area to the level of village panchayat, increase the minimum indemnity from present level of 60% to 80%, more precise calculation of threshold yield, actuarial premium rates with provision for subsidy on premium, coverage of pre-sowing and post-harvest losses and on account payment etc.

(e): Continued efforts are made to create awareness about ongoing NAIS by the implementing agency i.e. Agriculture Insurance Company (AIC) in coordination with implementing states since its inception.

(f): The salient activities for campaigning involve the publicity of features & benefits of the scheme through advertisements in leading National/local News Papers, telecast through audio-visual media, distribution of pamphlets, participation in agriculture fairs / mela / gosti and organization of workshops / trainings etc.