Rs 644 cr allocated to National Agriculture Insurance Scheme

New Delhi, Feb 29 (UNI) Finance Minister P Chidambaram today announced an allocation of Rs 644 crore for the National Agriculture Insurance Scheme (NAIS).

While presenting the General Budget 2008-2009, Mr Chidambaram said the scheme will continue in its present form for Kharif and Rabi crops.

The Minister said Rs 50 crore will be allocated to Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme, which is being implemented as a pilot scheme in selected areas of five states.

He said the government will continue to provide fertilisers to farmers at subsidised prices.

The Government is examining proposals to move to a nutrient-based subsidy regime and alternative methods of delivering the subsidy, he added.

The Special Purpose Tea Fund, set up last year for re-plantation ad rejuvenation, will be provided Rs 40 crore.

Similar funds will be provided to support other plantation crops such as cardamom with an outlay of Rs 10.68 crores, rubber with Rs 19.41 crores and coffee with Rs 18 crores.

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