Understanding the YSR Free Crop Insurance Scheme in Andhra Pradesh
The agriculture sector is the backbone of the Indian economy, employing more than 50% of the total workforce. However, farmers face numerous challenges, such as lack of access to finance, inadequate infrastructure, and climate change. Natural calamities like floods, droughts, and storms add to their woes by damaging crops and causing economic losses. In Andhra Pradesh, the state government has launched the YSR Free Crop Insurance Scheme to provide financial protection to farmers in case of crop loss due to natural calamities. Let’s understand the scheme in detail.
Introduction Of YSR Free Crop Insurance Scheme
The YSR Free Crop Insurance Scheme is a flagship scheme launched by the Government of Andhra Pradesh. It aims to provide free crop insurance coverage to farmers in the state. The scheme covers 22 crops, including paddy, maize, groundnut, cotton, and chilli. Farmers can avail of the scheme benefits by registering their names and paying a minimal amount of Rs. 1. The government will pay the premium amount on behalf of the farmers.
Objectives
The primary objectives of the YSR Free Crop Insurance Scheme are:
- To provide financial cover to farmers in case of crop loss due to natural calamities.
- To improve the economic condition of farmers and reduce their financial burden.
- To promote agricultural growth and ensure food security in the state.
Full Overview Of YSR Free Crop Insurance Scheme
| Scheme Name | YSR Free Crop Insurance Scheme |
|---|---|
| Announcement | Govt Of Andhra Pradesh |
| State Name | Andhra Pradesh |
| Implementation | Updated On 2023 |
| Objectives | To provide financial assistance to farmers in case of crop damage due to natural calamities and to encourage them to undertake crop production |
| Incentive | Free Crop Insurance for farmers |
| Beneficiaries | Farmers in Andhra Pradesh State |
| Application Starts | Before the commencement of each crop season |
| Process | Online Registration through the official website or mobile app |
| Official Website | No (Update Soon) |
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the YSR Free Crop Insurance Scheme, farmers must fulfill the following criteria:
- The farmer must be a resident of Andhra Pradesh.
- The farmer must have cultivated any of the 22 crops covered under the scheme.
- The farmer must have registered their name and paid Rs. 1.
Benefits
The YSR Free Crop Insurance Scheme provides the following benefits to farmers:
- The scheme covers crop loss due to natural calamities like drought, flood, cyclone, etc.
- Farmers do not have to pay any premium to avail of the benefits.
- The scheme covers the entire cost of cultivation, including seed, fertilizer, and other inputs.
- Farmers will receive compensation based on the extent of crop damage, ranging from 75% to 100%.
Key Features of the AP Free Crop Insurance Scheme
Crop insurance in Andhra Pradesh has the following features:
- National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS) is implemented from Kharif 2000 season to provide financial support to farmers in the event of crop loss due to any calamity and stabilize farm incomes.
- Andhra Pradesh is the only state to have the “Village as Insurance Unit” scheme in all districts from Kharif 2008 season onwards, which provides more benefits to farmers as the losses in smaller areas would be more representative.
- A.P. stands in the number one position in terms of area covered, farmers covered/claims paid, and farmers benefited. Claims in respect of Kharif 2011 & Rabi 2011-12 amounting to Rs. 460.30 Cr. in favor of 10.20 lakh farmers were released for all the 22 districts.
- All farmers, irrespective of their category of marginal farmers/small farmers or big farmers, including tenant farmers and sharecroppers, are eligible to enroll under the crop insurance scheme. Crop insurance is compulsory for loanee farmers and voluntary for non-loanee farmers.
- Premium subsidy of 10% is allowed on premium to small and marginal farmers.
- In addition to the Mandal Insurance Unit Scheme, the Government of Andhra Pradesh started the “Village Made as Insurance Unit” Scheme for the first time in the country, which is implemented in all districts for major crops. The lower size of insurance units (villages) is more representative in yield estimation, and lakhs of farmers are additionally benefited in the event of crop loss.
- To encourage more non-loanee farmers to cover under the crop insurance scheme, special drives have been taken up involving extension staff of the Department.
- Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (WBCIS) is implemented during Kharif 2009 season to mitigate the hardship of insured farmers due to the financial loss on account of anticipated crop loss resulting from adverse deviations of weather parameters like rainfall, temperature, relative humidity, wind velocity, etc. Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) are established in all the mandals of the state to measure the weather parameters.
- Premium subsidy under WBCIS scheme is around 25 to 50 % to all farmers irrespective of their category.
- Modified National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (MNAIS) is introduced during Rabi 2010-11 on a pilot basis in 3 districts with many more farmer-friendly features such as coverage of post-harvest losses, prevented sowings, etc. Rice crop is selected for implementation under the village-made unit under this scheme.
| Weather Incidence | Description |
|---|---|
| Deficit Rainfall | Rainfall is below average for a specific period or area. |
| Excess Rainfall | Rainfall is above average for a specific period or area. |
| Unseasonal Rainfall | Rainfall occurs outside of the expected season. |
| Rainy Days | Days with measurable precipitation. |
| Dry Spells | A period of abnormally dry weather lasting several weeks. |
| Dry Days | Days with no measurable precipitation. |
| High Temperature | Temperature is above average for a specific period or area. |
| Low Temperature | Temperature is below average for a specific period or area. |
| Relative Humidity | The amount of moisture in the air compared to its capacity. |
| Wind Speed | The speed at which air moves horizontally. |
| Cyclones | Large-scale weather systems characterized by low pressure |
| Combination | Weather events that occur together, such as a heat wave and drought. |
Required Documents
To register for the YSR Free Crop Insurance Scheme, farmers must provide the following documents:
- Aadhar Card
- Ration card
- Bank Account Details
- Land Ownership Documents
- Crop Details
- Passport size photograph
How to Apply for the AP Free Crop Insurance Scheme
to apply online for the AP Free Crop Insurance Scheme
- Visit the official website of the Department of Agriculture, Government of Andhra Pradesh.
- Click on the option “Apply for YSR Free Crop Insurance Scheme” on the homepage.
- Fill in the application form with all the required details, such as your name, email ID, mobile number, and address.
- Upload all the necessary documents and click on the submit button to submit your application.
To check the payment status
- Visit your bank branch with your passbook and print it.
- Check the entries in your passbook to see if you have received the benefit amount of the YSR Free Crop Insurance Scheme.
- Ask the bank official about the benefit amount of the scheme directly with your account number.
To view the beneficiary list of the YSR Free Crop Insurance Scheme
- Visit the official website of the scheme.
- Click on the beneficiary list option on the homepage.
- Select your district, Mandal, village, block, etc., and click on submit.
- The beneficiary list will then be displayed on the screen.
At present, the government has not launched any official website or application process for the scheme. However, interested farmers can currently apply for online registration through the government’s invitation. This upcoming scheme aims to provide farmers with insurance coverage and financial assistance during difficult times, with the goal of alleviating some of the challenges they face. It is expected to be a beneficial program that will help farmers overcome various obstacles and improve their livelihoods.
| OFFICIAL WEBSITE | CLICK HERE |
| ANDHRA PRADESH GOVT ALL SCHEMES | CLICK HERE |
Conclusion
The YSR Free Crop Insurance Scheme is a commendable initiative by the Government of Andhra Pradesh to provide financial protection to farmers in the state. The scheme covers a wide range of crops and provides compensation in case of crop loss due to natural calamities. The zero premium and minimal registration fee make the scheme accessible to all farmers, regardless of their economic status. It is hoped that the scheme will benefit a large number of farmers and contribute to the overall development of the agricultural sector in Andhra Pradesh.
