Karwar: The State Government has implemented an insurance scheme for cattle, with less premium amount for convenience of farmers. 

Usually, 5% of 5.5% of the value of cattle will be annual premium amount under cattle insurance scheme. However, it is only 2% under the government scheme.

Animal Husbandry Department Deputy Director Subray Bhat stated that the scheme is applicable only for cows and buffaloes. As the government would bear 50% of the premium amount for general category and above poverty line dairy farmers, it would be only 1% of the cattle value that they have to pay as the premium amount.

For BPL and SC/ST category dairy farmers, the government would bear 70% of the premium amount. In addition, Karnataka Milk Producers’ Co-operative Society would bear 50% of the premium amount to be paid by its members, he explained. One person can get insurance for five cows or buffaloes. Insurance duration is three years. If the cattle dies in that duration, entire value of the cattle would be paid to the owner. The insurance comes into effect within 24 hours of the premium amount payment. In Uttara Kannada district, the target is to give insurance cover for 6,000 cattle and proper publicity is also being done, Bhat added.

Venkatraman Bhat of Khoorse, a dairy farmer, opined that the this scheme would be helpful, as it lacked the rigidity of the previous scheme. It can bring relief for farmers who lose their cattle for which they spend thousands of rupees, he added.

DHNS