Affordable insurance policy soon for livestock farmers: Minister
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, October 23 2023:
Acknowledging hardships and sufferings of livestock farmers, who are facing loss due to the outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) in the state, Veterinary and Animal Husbandry minister Khashim Vashum said that the government is in the process of launching a low-premium insurance policy for the poor farmers so that they could get adequate compensation for their losses.
Addressing a press conference here on Monday, the minister said that agriculture and other farming activities are among the primary contributors to the state's economy.
Farmers in the state are facing a tough time due to the ongoing humanitarian crisis and the recent outbreak of ASF.
Unfortunately, there is no reserved fund for providing compensation in such situation except for some mere assistance through relief and disaster management fund.
Even in that case, the chance is low since the authority has not even released fund for the widespread death of buffaloes last year, for which the department sought some assistance, he said.
Livestock farmers in other parts of the country including most of the northeast states have the habit of subscribing to insurance-schemes but there is no such practice among the state's farmers.
Keeping in view of the situation, the department will take up an initiative under which farmers can subscribe to insurance policies with low premium amount.
For this, the department had already written letter to the ministry while also seeking fund for the same, he said, while urging farmers to cooperate with the department in this initiative.
Elaborating on the response of the department to the recent outbreak of ASF, the minister urged the farmers to inform the department in case of such situation and cooperate with the department in control and containment measures.
He also urged the farmers to ensure routine immunisation of their livestock to keep them away from infections.