The Jharkhand Rajya Fasal Rahat Yojana is a Hemant Soren government scheme aimed at providing financial assistance to farmers whose crops are damaged due to natural calamities and certain natural accidents.
The scheme was launched by the Department of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperative, Government of Jharkhand. Unlike a conventional crop insurance programme, it provides compensation to eligible farmers in the event of crop loss and does not require farmers to pay a crop insurance premium.
Objective of Jharkhand Rajya Fasal Rahat Yojana
The primary objective of the scheme is to provide financial support to farmers affected by unforeseen natural calamities and help them continue agricultural activities after crop damage.
The scheme also aims to:
- Strengthen farmers’ income after crop losses.
- Maintain the flow of funds required for agricultural activities.
- Support food security and crop diversification.
- Promote growth and competitiveness in the agricultural sector.
Both Landowners and Landless Farmers Covered
One of the key features of the Jharkhand Rajya Fasal Rahat Yojana is that the scheme covers both landowning farmers and landless farmers, subject to the applicable eligibility conditions.
Farmers are not required to pay any crop insurance premium under the scheme. Financial assistance is provided by the government to eligible beneficiaries when crop damage occurs due to covered risks.
Natural Calamities Covered Under the Scheme
Crop losses caused by several natural calamities and events are covered under the scheme. These include:
- Flood and waterlogging
- Earthquake
- Volcanic eruption
- Landslide
- Drought or dry winds, where drought has not been officially declared by the state government
- Widespread epidemic
- Naturally caused fire
- Thunderstorm
- Storm
- Torrential rainfall
- Cyclone
The assistance is intended to provide financial relief when agricultural crops are affected by such unforeseen events.
Risks Excluded From the Scheme
Certain types of losses are excluded from the Jharkhand Rajya Fasal Rahat Yojana.
These include losses arising from war or nuclear risks. The scheme also excludes malicious losses and preventable losses, including those resulting from unscientific farming practices by farmers.
Financial Support After Crop Damage
The scheme is designed to provide a financial safety net when farmers face crop damage because of covered natural calamities. By providing compensation without requiring farmers to pay an insurance premium, the programme seeks to reduce the financial burden associated with unexpected agricultural losses.
The assistance can also help farmers maintain agricultural activities after a damaging natural event and support continuity in farming.
Importance for Jharkhand Farmers
Agriculture remains vulnerable to weather-related events and other natural calamities. Crop damage can directly affect farmers’ income and their ability to invest in the next agricultural cycle.
Through the Jharkhand Rajya Fasal Rahat Yojana, the state government aims to provide financial assistance after eligible crop losses while supporting agricultural continuity, food security and crop diversification.