Assam has covered as much as 11,477.362 hectares of land involving 21,660 farmers under the Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme (WBCIS). The farmers have been covered in 27 districts of the state for the 2014 Kharif season. The crops insured include both agricultural and horticultural crops like sali paddy, jute, black gram, green gram, ginger, turmeric, lady’s finger etc - grown between June and September, 2014.
The total premium amount collected under the scheme for the season so far was about Rs 46.82 crore. While 50% of this amount was paid by the farmers, the remaining 50% was given by the central and state governments, each paying 25%. The part of the premium paid by the central and state governments is subsidy to the farmers in respect of insuring their crops from the vagaries of weather.
The Centre has approved the National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS) for major crops for Rabi 2014-15 season. The crops mainly include summer paddy, wheat, potato, sugarcane, rape seeds and mustard seeds.