PANJIM: The State government has notified revised crop damage compensation scheme (Shetkari Adhar Nidhi) for release/grant of compensation to farmers affected by various factors.
The farmers, who suffer losses due to floods, draught, cyclonic rains, landslide and siltation, epidemic of pest and diseases, unseasonal rains, accidental fire, lightning, cloud burst, earthquake, wild animals etc would be eligible for compensation.
Depending on the crop damaged, number and type of plants, years etc, the quantum of compensation is specified in the notification. The Shetkari Adhar Nidhi Scheme will cover the damage to field crops, horticulture crops, spices, medicinal plants, floriculture, losses to infrastructure such as farm retaining wall, fencing, well, irrigation system and pipeline, pump and green houses.
Similarly, losses to agriculture produce ready for sale, inputs required for agricultural production, agriculture machinery and equipment will also be covered under this scheme. Also the natural calamities that prevent the farmer from economic crop cultivation would also be covered under the scheme.
The expenditure incurred for removal of debris caused due to siltation will be covered under the scheme.
As per the notification, compensation will be evaluated as per actual damages and actual evaluation done by the concerned Zonal Agriculture Officer (ZAO). Compensation to agriculture produce for crops will be Rs 40,000 per hectare per season per crop while maximum compensation of Rs 60,000 will be given to sugarcane growers if the crop was ready to harvest i.e nine months and above. Also the maximum compensation per farmer has been limited to Rs 1.60 lakh.
