Few takers for rainfall insurance scheme for coffee

The Rainfall Insurance Scheme for Coffee was a boon to growers who have been looking to protect themselves from the risk of heavy rain and deficient rainfall. However, the growers have not shown keen interest in insuring their crop. 

The coffee plants have already started flowering in and around Napoklu. Owing to untimely rain, the farmers have incurred loss. However, there are few takers for the scheme in the district. 

When the insurance scheme was introduced, a farmers had availed the benefit. In the first year, compensation of Rs 4,000 per hectare was disbursed and in the second year, the compensation amount was Rs 2,000 per hectare. However due to untimely rainfall, the growers are hesitating to opt for insurance schemes —Blossom Showers and Backing Showers. The insurance scheme was introduced jointly by the Agriculture Insurance Company of India and Coffee Board. 

The growers who were adversely affected with fluctuations in price, rain damage, burden of loans and dearth of labourers, had considered the insurance as a ray of hope. Normally, coffee growers suffer following lack of rain during blossoming period and heavy shower during harvesting stage. In this situation, the compensations could be claimed under 'Blossom showers' and 'Backing showers.' Also, there is an option of Monsoon shower. 

The last date to pay the premium for blossom showers and backing showers is February 28. For Robusta coffee, the insurance period is from March 1 to April 15, while the period of backing shower insurance is between May 1 and 19. The coffee growers feel that there was a need to modify the riles and regulations for the insurance scheme. 
The State government had announced subsidy of 25 per cent for coffee insurance premium. The coffee board was paying 50 per cent subsidy. With this, 75 per cent subsidy will be available. 

Heavy rainfall had taken a toll on the coffee last year. The insurance amount was not paid to the insured, said Coffee Board member Sannavanda Kaverappa. As a result, there are fewer takers for coffee insurance this year. Coffee growers feel that the Agricultural Insurance Company and Coffee Board should bring in some changes in the scheme so as to benefit coffee growers at large, he added.