- Relief plans for Giridih, Santhal Pargana; crop insurance extended

Governor K. Sankaranarayanan today declared seven more districts as drought hit, taking the total number of parched zones to 11.

Governor Syed Sibtey Razi today directed deputy commissioners of the drought-hit districts of Palamau, Chatra, Garhwa and Latehar to initiate action for cultivation of altern- ate crops.

He said farmers ought to be given seeds and other necessary amenities. Besides, their crop insurance premium amounts should also be borne by the state.

The pro-poor and pro-rural Budget has got a thumbs- up from farm economists, farmer leaders and agriculturists in the region. Hailing the Budget for its approach towards the

Rs 3,500-Cr Support Package Likely To Be Announced Independent Of The Budget

THE government is readying a package of concessions worth around Rs 3,500 crore for the plantation sector as it looks to lift it out of a morass of rising input costs, a high debt burden and falling productivity levels.

Crop insurance schemes have failed; time to try again

Chikmagalur, DH News Service:

The government has decided to implement experimental climate-based crop insurance through Agriculture Insurance Company of India by applying 10 selected crops in the hobli level. Only rain-based crops come under this scheme.

The scheme is being implemented to guarantee surety to those losses occurring due to the incidents which the human beings cannot prevent.

Agriculture or crop insurance, if introduced, will encourage banks to lend more to the farm sector on which the majority of the country's 150 million population depends for their livelihood, according to top bankers.

A two-day conference of the state unit of the All-India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) concluded here yesterday. It was attended by over 200 delegates from various districts of the state.

According to a release issued by the AIKS, 22 delegates took part in a discussion on the report of the past three years