Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada has emerged as the leading district in Karnataka under weather-based crop insurance scheme for arecanut and pepper, recording the highest number of proposals and near-total settlement for 2024-25. Official data show that 3,32,752 proposals were received, of which 3,32,750 have been cleared. Only two proposals are pending due to Aadhaar-bank account linkage and KYC-related issues. The total insured area was 75,899.52 hectares.Arecanut accounted for 2,42,550 proposals covering 55,637.96 hectares, while pepper accounted for 90,200 proposals covering 20,261.56 hectares. Claims totalling around Rs 276 crore were disbursed, Rs 254.3 crore for arecanut and Rs 21.6 crore for pepper. Farmers contributed Rs 40.3 crore towards the premium, while the Union govt and Karnataka govt contributed Rs 80.7 crore and Rs 156.7 crore, respectively. The total premium pool stood at Rs 277.8 crore.Dakshina Kannada deputy director of horticulture Ibrahim Doddamani told TOI that compensation under the scheme is determined using weather parameters such as rainfall, temperature and humidity. Weather data provided by the KSNDMC are assessed against the conditions specified in the policy. Farmers pay a one-time premium of around Rs 6,400 per hectare for arecanut and Rs 2,350 per hectare for pepper through banks, which remit the amount to insurance companies.“Last year witnessed significant deviations in rainfall, resulting in payouts to almost all applicants,” Doddamani said.The application deadline for the current season, originally fixed for the end of July, has been extended to Aug 17 following requests from farmers. Doddamani said enrolment remained high and could cross 3.5 lakh to four lakh proposals this year.Though plantation diseases have been relatively less prevalent this season owing to reduced rainfall, the trend is unlikely to affect enrolment significantly, as farmers continue to view insurance as a safeguard against crop and weather-related risks, he said.Payouts for the current season are expected to begin by late Sept, or early Oct. Another official said DK may also have recorded the highest enrolment in the country for arecanut and pepper. However, official confirmation is awaited.All India Areca Growers’ Association president Mahesh Puchchappady said the weather-based crop insurance scheme provides financial support when heavy rain leads to disease, fruit drop or other crop losses. “This year, rain has been comparatively low. We will have to wait and see how it affects payouts,” he said.
