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Crop damages plan withers in Agri Min

The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana provides for insurance against crop loss caused by natural calamities

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An environment ministry proposal from May last year, seeking inclusion of crop damages caused by wildlife, especially elephants, under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is stuck in the agriculture ministry since then.

The delay prompted AN Jha, Secretary (Environment Ministry), to write to Agriculture Secretary Shobhana K.Pattanayak in April to fast-track the inclusion of 'wildlife crop depredation' within the ambit of PMFBY. DNA has reviewed a copy of the letter.

Environment ministry data showed that in 2014-15, compensation worth Rs 34.5 crore was paid as crop damage caused by elephants by Central and state agencies.

The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana provides for insurance cover against crop loss caused by natural calamities. Farmers have to pay 2% premium for all Kharif crops and 1.5% for all Rabi crops while in the case of annual commercial and horticultural crops, 5% premium has to be paid.

In his letter, Jha highlighted that "crop depredations by wild animals are causing immense hardships to farmers near forest areas and it is also an important reason for retaliatory killing of wild animals. In view of these facts, a proposal was sent to your ministry to bring crop damage caused by wild animals with the ambit of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana." Jha added.

Multiple senior officials at the agriculture ministry, including Pattanayak, did not respond to calls and messages from DNA.

The environment ministry has noted that there have been growing instances of crop depredations by wild animals.

MAN VS BEAST

  • The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana provides for insurance against crop loss caused by natural calamities
     
  • The environment ministry says there have been growing instances of crop depredations by wild animals
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