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Crop Insurance Schemes AGRICULTURE AND ALLIED SECTORS

2.50 Under the state crop insurance scheme during 2013-14, 1.42 lakh farmers enrolled and
compensation amount of ` 919 lakhs paid for 13697 farmers. Around 18237 farmers were insured
under National Agricultural Insurance Scheme covering an area of 16539 ha during 2013-14 season.
Under weather based insurance scheme 44177 farmers were enrolled covering an area of 26724
ha. An amount of ` 338.49 lakhs were allocated as subsidy under the scheme. Around ` 403.48
lakhs were disbursed as claims under WBCIS during 2013-14. In 2013-14, 7221 farmers were
insured under coconut palm insurance scheme covering an area of 2513 ha. Number of palms
insured is 2.85 lakh Nos and ` 66.59 lakhs was disbursed as claims benefiting 1459 farmers. The
scheme provides compensation in the event of total loss of coconut palms in the age category 4-60
yrs due to any of the insured perils which includes loss due to pest and disease. During 2013-14, all
the insurance schemes were integrated under a single scheme by Government of India.

Organic Farming

2.51 There were 37.5 million hectares of organic agriculture land in 2012 in the world inlcuding
conversion areas. The region with the largest areas of organic agricultural land are oceanic followed
by Europe with 30 percent. The area under organic certification (including wild harvest) in India
declined to 52.11 lakh ha during 2012-13 as against 55.51 lakh ha during 2011-12. The States
occupying top position with respect to area under organic certification are Madhya Pradesh ( 1.44
lakh ha), Maharastra (0.66 lakh ha) and Gujarath (0.45 lakh ha). During 2012-13, a quantity of 22674
MT of rice ( including basmati) has been produced under organic certification in the country. Quantity
of fruits and vegetables under certification in the country was 8228 MT and that under tea and
coffee were 5273 MT and 1377 MT respectively. The biofertiliser production in India during 2012-
13 increased to 46836 MT from 40324 MT in 2011-12 . The major production is from Tamilnadu
(11575 MT) followed by Karnataka (7683 MT). Kerala produced 1045.64 MT of biofertilisers. (Source
: NCOF, Ministry of Agri Co- Operation, GoI) . During 2013-14, 174 vermi compost units have been
established under organic farming by the State Horticulture Mission and an area of 600 ha has been
brought under organic certification (Source: State Horticulture Mission-Kerala).The department of
Agriculture has initiated a comprehensive project on organic farming in Kasaragod district and it is
envisaged to cover potential areas in other districts.

Expansion of High Tech Agriculture

2.52 The promotion of high tech agriculture covering protected agriculture and open precision
farming was initiated in 2012-13 as part of vegetable development programme of the State . A total
number of 1095 polyhouses were established during 12th plan including 43 polyhouses in 2013-14.
Several biotic and abiotic stresses are the major factors responsible for low productivity and poor
quality in large number of vegetable crops. Protected cultivation structures with partially modified
environment are useful for combating both biotic and abiotic stresses that limit the productivity and
quality of produce, and also for production throughout the year. The area under protected cultivation
in the country is about 2000 ha at the end of 2011 while it is reported 20 lakh ha in China. The
scheme has evoked good response from the farming community with large number of young farmers
actively participating in the programme getting good returns from crops like salad cucumber, cow
pea, and capsicum. The issues like marketing and technical support need to be addressed for the
development of high tech farming in the state.

Economic Review 2014