Titli-hit farmers yet to get crop insurance

Srikakulam: The Titli affected coconut farmers are yet to get crop insurance. The coconut farmers in Uddanam area paid crop insurance premium for one tree as Rs 10 for three years term in 2016 and it is in force till March 2019. With the motivation of horticulture officials, farmers paid the amount to National Insurance Company under National Crop Insurance Scheme (NCIS) which is applicable for all horticulture crops.

The NCIS is applied for both natural calamities and pesticide attack on crops. There are two categories under the NCIS, one is for payment of premium for trees aged from 4-15 years and other is for trees aged from 16 to 60 years. Due to Titli cyclone, coconut trees were damaged in seven Uddanam mandals and insurance amount need to be paid for total loss of tree, damage of tree and loss of yield also.

As per guidelines, for each tree loss, the insurance company has to pay Rs 1,750. After payment of premium in 2016, no bonds were issued to farmers and accounts also not opened in the name of farmers in the banks. Now, the insurance company and horticulture officials are trying to blame each other to avoid liability.