Evolution of crop insurance scheme in India with different strategies

Agriculture is the important livelihood activity for the 60% of Indian population. This agriculture is mainly depending on climate and weather conditions. Due to change in the climate farmers has to face production risks like pest and disease, price fluctuation, drought, floods etc. which affects crop yields and income of the farmer. Crop insurance scheme is the most effective way to ensure the farm income and safeguard against future crop loss. It also encouraged farmers to adopt new technology and practices and stabilized the farm income. GOI started these efforts before independence, but it was materialized in year 1972 with First Individual Approach Scheme. After that a series of crops insurance schemes was implemented by the Government of India to protect the farmers against the natural calamities. All the crop insurance schemes were unique in its strategy with the objective to protect the farmer against natural climates. All the crop insurance schemes were evolved, based on the drawbacks of the previous insurance schemes. The advanced new crop insurance scheme includes all cereals, pulses, commercial crops and horticulture crops along with market fluctuations. Over the years the number of insured farmers was increased drastically, one thing identified here is only loanee framers insured maximum extent compared to the non loanee. Over the years non loanee farmers enrolled under the crop insurance schemes were negligible. Each and every farmer has to enroller crop insurance scheme for all the seasons and all the crops. Then the farms income will be stabilized and the income of the farmer can also double over the years.