SHILLONG:
In order to support the farmers in stabilising their incomes against the risks of crop failure, the state government under the Crop Insurance Scheme “Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)” has decided to provide free premium support amounting to Rs. 4.4 crores, covering both Kharif and Rabi seasons during 2023-24, whereby the premium for the farmers shall be paid by the state government to an extent of 100 percent of the premium amount.
The vision of the state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma is to take up a farmer-centric approach in devising a strategy to protect them from the risks of crop failure.
With over 80 percent of the population of the state dependent on agriculture, the assistance via premium provides the much-needed cushion to farmers in the case of crop failure.
The PMFBY was implemented in the state since its commencement with effect from Kharif 2016. The main objective of the Scheme is to provide financial support to farmers suffering crop loss/damage due to unforeseen natural calamities and events. A farmer has to pay a 2 percent premium for Kharif crops, 1.5 percent for Rabi crops and a premium of 5 percent for horticultural crops under this scheme, Farmers have to pay the premium out of the sum insured, and the remaining premium is paid by the government on sharing basis between Government of India and the state government at 50:50 sharing basis.
However, the sharing of the subsidy was made to a 90:10 basis w.e.f Kharif 2020, in the revamped PMFBY. The scheme is available to all farmers growing the notified crops in the notified areas including the sharecropper and tenant farmers. The scheme was made voluntary with effect from the Kharif 2020 season.
Efforts to popularise the scheme and ensure increased farmer enrolment is underway by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare in collaboration with the Implementing Agency, the Agriculture Insurance Company which is responsible to conduct awareness programmes from time to time as mandated by the Scheme. The estimated amount of premium support by the Government of Meghalaya of Rs. 4.4 crores is based on the enrolment target of 27,000 farmers for the Kharif season 2023 and 10,000 farmers for the Rabi season 2023-24. The premium support guarantee by the state government is expected to reverse the extremely low enrolled number of beneficiaries under the scheme so far in the state and will relieve a significant section of farming households in the state of the risks of crop damage/crop failure.
Govt extends 25 pc fertilisers subsidy to farmers
With an aim to support the farmers against the rising prices of fertilisers, the state government has extended a 25 percent subsidy for the following fertilisers- Single Super Phosphate (SSP), Muriate of Potash (MOP), Di-ammonium Phosphate (DAP).
Fertiliser subsidy to farmers in the state was discontinued in 2014, to reduce the hazardous effect of chemical fertilisers on human lives and on the environment. However, it was observed that farmers in certain pockets of the state continued to use fertilisers, especially for higher productivity in crops like tomatoes, cabbages, potatoes, and cauliflowers which are extensively cultivated in the state. The stoppage of previous fertiliser subsidies had meant a strong black market for fertilisers resulting in very high prices being charged to the farmers.
With the intention to boost the production of foodgrains and other crops in the state and ensure sustained livelihood through increased crop productivity, the state government extended a subsidy of 50 percent for urea in January 2023. Keeping in view the twin objectives of the state government of supporting poor farmers of the State so that they do not face loss of income in a bid to purchase expensive farm inputs and also to ensure that farming practices are eventually transitioned to organic ones over time, it has also been decided to provide subsidy for the fertilizers Single Super Phosphate (SSP), Muriate of Potash (MOP) and Di-ammonium Phosphate (DAP) to the extent of 25 percent, which would be reimbursable to Meghalaya State Cooperative Marketing & Consumers’ Federation Ltd/Whole seller. Retailers would also be eligible for a claim of transportation subsidy from the Government of Meghalaya.
The subsidy aims to achieve a balance between the use of chemical fertilisers to support crop productivity as well as to adhere to the state government’s imperative of promoting a transition to organic cultivation practices.