Data Gathering and Information Dissemination for Semiarid Regions

Abstract

Small and marginal farmers own about 1–4 ha of land and solely depend on rainfall for irrigation. Their lands are generally located at a higher elevation (225 m) compared to the rich farmlands resulting in a high runoff. Farming in semiarid regions is further characterized by low rainfall (500 mm over 6 months). Crop production is subject to weather and large-scale attack of pests and diseases. Over 75% of the tillable land in Karnataka State in India is dependent on rainfall. According to Kalavakonda and Mahulb (2005), the state has witnessed a deficit in rainfall 1 out of every 4.3 years. The Indian Government has long introduced crop insurance to farmers to pass their weather-related risks to a third party. Farmers from Karnataka State participated in almost all risk management schemes offered by the Government. The first crop insurance scheme introduced in 1972 was based on the “individual farm” approach for cotton. It also included groundnut, wheat, and potato. The Pilot Crop Insurance Scheme (PCIS) was launched in 1979. This was based on an “area yield” approach. In 1985, PCIS was replaced with another scheme called the Comprehensive Crop Insurance Scheme (CCIS). The National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS) launched in 1999 replaced the CCIS and was adopted in Karnataka from 2000 onward. Most schemes were unsuccessful and had to be discontinued due to administrative and financial difficulties. All insurance programs have generated claims well in excess of premiums. For example, for CCIS, only 4 out of 22 states had insurance charges greater than the claims. Moreover, for a period of 12 years (1985–1997), one single crop, namely, groundnut, received 48.8% of the insurance claims from the state of Gujarat.