Drought-hit Karnataka seeks farm insurance date extended

Bangalore, July 20 (IANS) Drought-hit Karnataka Friday sought an extension of the national agricultural insurance scheme for farmers who availed loans as well as those did not.

"As the state is reeling under severe drought conditions, the Agricultural Insurance Company of India Ltd (AIC) should extend the cut-off date for both loanee and non-loanee farmers to September from June and July," Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar said in a letter to union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar.

Karnataka is one of the states implementing the original and the modified insurance schemes of the state-run farm insurance firm for this fiscal (2012-13) since April to ease the burden of drought-hit farmers in the state.

"Unprecedented drought conditions, delayed south-west monsoon and about 40 percent deficit rainfall in 161 local bodies (taluk) out of 176 local bodies have severely affected farm activity, including sowing operations, which declined to 20 lakh hectares till July 11 as against the target of 75 lakh hectare," Shettar said in the letter.

In view of the prevailing conditions, sowing has been extended up to August, as monsoon rains are expected to intensify in the ensuing weeks.

"Hence, I request you to direct the farm insurance firm to extend the cut-off date to both types of farmers to September 30," Shettar added.