December 13: The Insurance Board of Nepal has opened the door for tea farmers to purchase insurance policy. The board brought the policy into effect on Wednesday, December 12, under the ‘Crop and Livestock Directives – 2069’.

The board’s Executive Director Raju Raman Poudel said the policy was prepared to insure farmers from the high risk in tea farming. According to him, the policy will be circulated to the insurance companies within this week after which the farmers can access the service for tea farming from any non-life insurance company.

Considering the vital role played by the agricultural sector in the country’s economy, the board had introduced agriculture insurance scheme in 2012.

Prior to introducing insurance on tea farming, there already was insurance policy for other crops like cauliflower, ginger etc in place. The insurance board aims to provide insurance facility for more than 40 varieties of vegetables.

The policy will cover the loss of tea farming caused by fire, lightening, flood, earthquake, natural disaster, insects and other crop diseases. Likewise, the insurance policy will also cover accidental insurance of the concerned farmers up to Rs 200,000.