Pilot project for Weather-Based crop insurance scheme launched in Shopian

• Farmers sensitized on registration, claim process, climate-risk protection

SHOPIAN: In a significant step towards safeguarding the farming community against unpredictable climate risks and crop losses, a comprehensive farmer awareness programme on Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme was held today at Mini Secretariat Shopian.

The programme was organized in connection with the pilot project on Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme for apple growers in District Shopian, launched jointly by SKUAST-Kashmir, SMARTX and ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company. Additional District Development Commissioner Shopian, Dr. Nasir Ahmed Lone, chaired the programme and was the Chief Guest on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, the ADDC said that crop insurance is vital for protecting farmers against losses caused by adverse weather conditions, natural calamities and other unforeseen risks. He said that the programme aimed to bridge the information gap regarding crop insurance schemes and ensure that farmers are properly informed about their benefits, registration process and claim settlement mechanism.

The ADDC stressed the need for creating greater awareness among farmers, particularly apple growers, so that they are able to secure their livelihoods through timely enrollment under the scheme. He also highlighted the importance of timely registration, proper guidance and coordinated efforts by concerned departments and field functionaries to ensure maximum participation of farmers under the scheme.

Prof. Sameera, Head Agrometeorology, SKUAST-Kashmir, while addressing the gathering, emphasized the importance of weather-based crop insurance in view of increasing climate-related challenges.

She said that abnormal temperature variations, excessive rainfall, hailstorms and other adverse weather events are increasingly affecting agriculture and horticulture, making crop insurance an essential support system for the farming community.

She further stressed that weather-based advisories should reach farmers on time so that preventive measures can be adopted to minimize crop damage. She encouraged farmers to register under crop insurance schemes and make effective use of agrometeorological advisories for sustainable and climate-resilient farming practices.

Regional Manager ICICI Bank, Pranab Malik; Prof. and Head KVK Shopian, Zaffar Afroz Badri; SMARTX US-based industrial partner, Abhijeet Bose; Chief Horticulture Officer Shopian and other experts also spoke on the occasion.

The experts detailed how crop insurance acts as a vital safety net for farmers by mitigating losses caused by unseasonal rains, drought-like situations, hailstorms, pest attacks and other climate-related risks. Farmers were also given a step-by-step briefing on the registration process, digital claim submission and tracking of applications.

A dedicated helpdesk was also set up during the programme to address farmers’ queries regarding premium calculation, claim settlement, delayed payouts and other insurance-related issues. Farmers were sensitized about various crop and livelihood insurance benefits available under government-backed schemes.

The participating farmers appreciated the initiative and actively interacted with experts, insurance representatives and administrative officers regarding different insurance-related queries.

The programme concluded with an interactive question-answer session, during which farmers directly engaged with insurance representatives, experts and administrative authorities to clear their doubts.