November 2, 2022

By G. Ramachandran
Programme Coordinator – Community Well-being

Keystone’s Community Well-being team in Wayanad is facilitating the registration of over 100 paddy farmers on a rolling basis, for the royalty benefit scheme and crop insurance scheme at Orapp, located in the Edavaka gram panchayat.

A large part of the community in Orapp, Wayanad, relies on farming for livelihoods. While many farmers are literate, what is severely lacking is e-literacy. They depend on local government offices (Akshaya Centres) to get themselves registered in order to access government schemes like subsidies on fertilisers, irrigation, and so on – a procedure that could be done online. These areas lack effective public transportation facilities like buses that can connect to Akshaya Centres, and people are often dependent either on personal transport or autorickshaws to reach the closest town, Mananthavady. Orapp is a remote area, located 13 km. from town, meaning farmers are forced to spend two full working days and a minimum of INR 200 to get their registrations done. Moreover, they are not made fully aware of the schemes they can avail from the government once registered.

The farmers in Orapp were informed of the date of registration, which was arranged at the Eco-Friends office, a farmers’ income group. They were given information in advance about the details required for the registration. About 48 farmers have received support so far, including six tribal farmers. All registrations were completed within a day.

What is the royalty benefit scheme?

A free state government scheme to promote paddy farming, farmers can avail this scheme by submitting the details of their fields: extent of land cultivated and tax receipts from the current financial year. Those who cultivate on leased land must produce their lease agreement and their land owners’ phone numbers. Once done, a farmer will receive up to INR 6,500. This amount will be transferred to the accounts of the farmers once the harvest is done.

What is the crop insurance scheme?

Crop insurance is provided to every farmer who registers at Agriculture Information Management Systems (AIMS). A fee of one rupee for every cent cultivated is paid to access this scheme. Farmers will be insured against seasonal crop loss for any reason. Insurance registration is mandatory, through Krishi Bhavans, which are local government offices under the Department of Agriculture Development and Farmers’ Welfare, Kerala.