International News: Agricultural insurance shelters farmers in grain belts

China’s fledgling agricultural insurance sector has buffered farmers against greater losses after hail, pest outbreaks and a massive typhoon hit China’s breadbasket, the northeastern provinces of Heilongjiang and Jilin, a local official said.

“Agricultural insurance has proven instrumental in transferring risks and stabilizing farmers’ income,” said Liu Feng, director of the Heilongjiang Provincial Insurance Regulatory Bureau. Read more

Weather insurance: HDFC ERGO General Insurance to give weather insurance to Maharashtra farmers

HDFC ERGO General Insurance has been allowed by the Maharashtra government to implement Pilot Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (WBCIS) for Loanee and Non Loanee farmers for Rabi 2012-13.

The crops to be covered are Grapes in Sangli, Satara and Beed districts, Pomegranate in Buldhana, Aurangabad, Satara, Beed and Sangli districts, Banana in Akola, Buldhana, Aurangabad, Satara, Kolhapur, Parbhani , Beed and Sangli, Orange in Akola and Buldhana, Sweet Lime in Buldhana, Aurangabad, Parbhani and Beed, Guava in Buldhana and Aurangabad and Cashew in Kohlapur. Read more