The study has evaluated WBCIS and NAIS crop insurance products under operation in Bidar, Gulbarga and Yadgir districts of the state by selecting 90 farmers (30 from each district). The study has revealed that coverage of the WBCIS product has been increasing with every season with expansion of the scheme to more number of notified hobli's and crops. The comparison of NAIS and WBCIS products has revealed that every rupee of premium paid by farmers under WBCIS, received a claim of 4–6, whereas 10–11 were received under NAIS product. The I-P and L-C ratios were lower in WBCIS product compared to NAIS, indicating longer sustainability of WBCIS product. The claims under the NAIS have been given to a smaller proportion (29%) of beneficiaries and higher per-farmer claims indicating highly skewed distribution of benefits. On the other hand, WBCIS paid compensation to 80 per cent of the insured farmers with normal claim amount. The proportion of farmers benefited vis-à-vis insured is much higher in Raichur, Koppal and Bellary districts. The WBCIS product has potential to emerge as a sustainable crop insurance product. In WBCIS, the claim settlement is quick mainly due to liability paid by the insurer, transparency is relatively high, and indemnity assessment cost is less. Therefore, there is need to notify more number of hobli's under this scheme in general and H-K region of Karnataka in particular.
WBCIS, NAIS, area approach, crop insurance, weather parameters, claims, Karnataka
