EMN
Dimapur, April 19
The farmers in the country remain an insecure community either due to uncertainties in the monsoon or fluctuating prices of commodities in the market. The concern is for the problems the farming community faces about livelihood security in case of crop failures due to adverse circumstances.
Crop insurance schemes have been in operation for some time in the country. But due to several shortcomings such as high premium rates, very low insured sums, and non-coverage of losses due to localised calamities, they have not been successful. These all problems have been taken care in newly launched crop insurance scheme.
To make the farmers of the Phek aware about the insurance scheme, a farmer’s fair and awareness programme was organised by the Krishi Vigyan Kendra Phekat Mission Centre, in Pfutsero, of Phek district. The event was conducted in collaboration with the Chakhesang Women Welfare Society, a note from the organizers informed on Tuesday.
The Member of Parliament to the Lok Sabha, Neiphiu Rio, addressed the formal program In his address, the former chief minister of Nagaland emphasized on food security and food surplus in the district. He suggested organizing workshops about organic farming and certifications.
The Member of Parliament encouraged the farmers to adopt organic farming for a good and healthy life. He emphasized on the application of modern farming technologies to enhance productivity and profitability of organic products. The health of the soil, also, is important, Rio stated. He encouraged the farmers to take maximum advantage of the PMFBY scheme to mitigate losses from crop that happen due to the ‘vagaries of the nature.’
The director of the ICAR-NRC on Mithun, Dr. Abhijit Mitra, also addressed the gathering. He called upon the farmers of the area to utilize the benefits of the scheme to ensure financial security.
Speaking during the occasion too, the deputy commissioner of Phek district, Murohu Chotsu, suggested ‘carrying out large scale awareness programmes so the farmers can take the benefit of the scheme.’