Thrissur, December 06: Union Government has launched a new farm insurance scheme for coconut farmers, under which it would bear 50 per cent of the premium, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said here today.
The state government and beneficiary farmers would equally share the remaining 50 per cent premium amount, he said.
If the state government did not agree to pay their 25 per cent share, the insurance premium would be paid between the Coconut Development Board and the beneficiary on 50:50 basis.
Pawar was speaking after inaugurating the Rs 2260.86 crore pilot project for replanting and rejuvenation of coconut palms in Kerala’s three districts of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Thrissur.
The board had recently been notified as an export promotion council, and benefits under Visheh Krishi Gram Udyog Yojana (VKGUY) have been extended to coconut oil, fresh and dried coconut and dessicated coconut products.
–Agencies