MP urges Centre to review Restructured Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme for plantation crops
MP Capt. Brijesh Chowta has urged the Indian government to review the Restructured Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme for perennial plantation crops. He argues that current insurance models fail to account for the specific risks faced by farmers in coastal and Malnad regions.
Why it matters
Improving agricultural insurance is critical for the economic stability of farmers dealing with climate-related risks and crop damage.
Capt. Brijesh Chowta, Dakshina Kannada MP, on Tuesday urged the Union government to undertake a comprehensive review of the Restructured Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS) for perennial plantation crops such as arecanut, coconut, cocoa and spices, to ensure that insurance coverage accurately reflects the risks faced by farmers.
In a matter raised under Rule 377 in the Lok Sabha, Capt. Chowta highlighted that perennial plantation crops face risks that are distinct from seasonal field crops. He pointed out that prolonged rainfall, high humidity, disease incidence, drainage conditions and local microclimates can cause progressive crop damage even when a single weather threshold is not breached at the nearest reference weather station.
Capt. Chowta emphasised that growers therefore require insurance products whose notified units, weather stations and policy term sheets adequately reflect the specific risk profile of plantation belts.
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