(a) whether the Government has constituted any joint group to review and revamp the existing crop insurance scheme;
(b) if so, whether the Government has made any feasibility report on the benefits of the farmers; and
(c) the time by which the said revamped scheme is likely to be implemented in the country?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (DR. SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN)
(a): Considering the shortcomings experienced during implementation of crop insurance schemes and to make schemes easier and more farmers friendly, a Joint Group was constituted by the Government of India to study the existing schemes in 2004. Based on the recommendations of Joint Group and views/comments of States and other stakeholders, a pilot Modified National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (MNAIS) was formulated and implemented in the 50 districts of the country from Rabi 2010-11.
(b) & (c): Improving upon the features of existing insurance schemes is a continuing process. The Pilot schemes implemented during XI Plan viz. Modified National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (MNAIS), Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (WBCIS) and Coconut Palm Insurance Scheme (CPIS), were evaluated. Based on the recommendations of evaluation studies, experience gained and views of various stakeholders, the national Crop Insurance Programme, which comprises of MNAIS, WBCIS and CPIS components was formulated and implemented from Rabi 2013-14 onwards.