Hyderabad: Widespread rains in the state from October 1 to 16 damaged crops in 1.70 lakh hectares, according to the reports by the district agriculture departments.
While 1.30 lakh farmers were affected due to the rains in 18 districts, some of them are not eligible to claim insurance.
This is because there was an inordinate delay in payment of compensation to farmers last year, which discouraged farmers to go for insurance cover this year.
The insurance firms still owe Rs 50 crore arrears to farmers.
C. Parthasarathi, principal secretary of agriculture department, said that a comprehensive assessment is being done in the affected districts to find out the losses and insurance claims. The district agriculture officers have been asked to submit a report on farmers eligible for compensation.
There is a lukewarm response to the insurance schemes in the state by farmers. In Karimnagar there are lakhs of farmers and only 7,000 opted for an insurance scheme.
Lack of awareness among farmers on insurance benefits is cited as the reason for they suffering losses during natural calamities.
