A sum of ₹656 crore has been disbursed as compensation to farmers under the crop insurance scheme in Thanjavur district over the last three years, according to Agriculture Minister R. Doraikannu.
Disclosing this at a welfare assistance distribution function held at the District Collectorate here on Wednesday, he said a total of 3,39,452 farmers availed the benefit. A sum of ₹270 crore was received from the insurance company for crop loss suffered by 1,40,352 farmers during 2018-19.
Referring to the losses suffered by coconut farmers due to Cyclone Gaja, the Minister said initially ₹18,000 per hectare was announced. But after the gravity of the situation and the crisis faced by the farmers were brought to the notice of the State government, the assistance was increased to ₹1.92 lakh per hectare. In addition, financial support for taking up sapling plantation and restoration of the field was also extended taking the total financial assistance to ₹2.62 lakh per hectare for a farmer.
Besides, handing over a compensation order to a farmer, he also disbursed welfare assistance extended under various schemes such as ‘gold coin for thali’, equipment to differently abled persons and implements for agriculture operations worth totalling ₹19.30 crore to 4,615 beneficiaries.
Rajya Sabha MP R.Vaithilingam, Pattukottai MLA C.V.Sekar, Peravurani MLA M. Govindaraju and Collector A. Annadurai took part in the function.
