February 14: The agricultural insurance scheme in Sudurpaschim Province has encountered several challenges in attracting farmers, mainly due to the lack of awareness among farmers about the scheme's benefits.

Despite the government covering the entire premium cost (80 percent by the federal government and 20 percent by the province), the number of insured farmers has not seen a substantial increase.

According to Hridaya Raj Pandit, chief of the Dhangadhi-based regional office of Nepal Insurance Authority, only 2,314 insurance reference numbers were issued in the province as of mid-January in the current fiscal year 2023-24. The nationwide number of farmers enrolled in agricultural insurance stands at 70,772.

The office launched publicity programs through FM radios in nine districts and conducted local-level interactions to promote the indemnity scheme. Despite these efforts, the results have been slow. To enroll in the scheme, farmers are required to pay a nominal fee of Rs 500.

In specific districts, the enrollment figures are notably low, with no farmers participating in Darchula, while the numbers are 365 in Kanchanpur, 290 in Achham, 253 in Dadeldhura, 85 in Bajhang, 82 in Doti, 29 in Bajura, and 20 in Baitadi districts.

Several factors have been identified as contributors to low participation, including the inability of insurance agents to reach out to remote villages, farmers' reluctance, external influencing factors, and delays in premium payments to insurance companies.

The authorized companies facilitating agricultural insurance in the province include Nepal Insurance Company (Kanchanpur, Dadeldhura, Baitadi, and Darchula), Rastriya Beema Company (Kailali, Doti, and Bajhang), and Ajod Insurance Company (Achham and Bajura). -- RSS