'Create awareness on crop insurance among farmers'

District In-charge Secretary Rajeev Chawla directed the officials to create awareness on the uses of crop insurance and motivate farmers to register for it.

Chairing a review meeting on Saturday, he said farmers get the insured amount when they lose crops. He said that the officials from the agriculture and horticulture department should distribute handbills highlighting the uses of crop insurances.

Chawla said the officials should ensure that the crop survey is accurate. He added that they should initiate measures to collect Aadhaar number and survey number while distributing fertilisers and seeds to the farmers.

DC M K Srirangaiah said the seeds were sown on 60,000 hectares in Kadur taluk. Due to deficit rainfall, crops on 34,620 hectares had been damaged. A proposal of Rs 23.52 lakh has been submitted to the government seeking compensation for the loss of crops, he added.

ZP CEO C Satyabhama said water is supplied through tankers to three villages in Kadur taluk. Private borewells in Kanchagallu, Girithimmapura and Madalu villages are hired for the supply of water.

Agriculture Department Joint Director Seetha said that under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bhima Yojana, Rs 66.53 lakh insurance amount was sanctioned to 851 farmers in 2016.

He said that In 2017, 265.49 lakh insurance amount was sanctioned to 3,501 farmers. As many as 24 farmers have committed suicide in the district from April to November, of which the district level committee has recommended paying compensation to 16 farmers. Compensation has already been paid to 15 farmers families.