Patna, (Bihar Times): Notwithstanding the repeated natural calamities, especially flood, the essentially agricultural state of Bihar has only three per cent farmers, who are insured.

Experts are of the view that the inclusion of non-loanee farmers scheme is not becoming very popular and effective due to poor services; thus, panchayat should be considered as unit area. They are of the view that major crops such as horticulture, floriculture, medicinal &   aromatics plants and other major crops need to be covered under insurance scheme.

According to Dr R K P Singh, Advisor, Krishi Ayog, agriculture insurance should also cover cattle, farm machinery and wild   animals. Weather-based insurance should be adopted very fast for the entire state. He said that the role of banks should be farmer-friendly. Insurance should be for production not for crop.

Experts are of the view that had there been insurance for farmers the state government might not have faced the problem during the last year’s flood. With just three per cent farmers coming under the insurance it was natural for the rest of them to look towards the government for help, they said. They also called for the simplification of the process of agriculture insurance.

The Union minister of state for agriculture, Akhilesh Singh, recently conceded that the condition of farmers and agriculture in the state is miserable. He also talked about the need to reform agriculture insurance scheme so that more and more farmers come under the insurance cover.