Solution

Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY): PMFBY insures farmers against all non-preventable natural risks from pre-sowing to post-harvest. Objectives: To provide insurance coverage and financial support to the farmers in the event of failure of any of the notified crops as a result of natural calamities, pests & diseases. To stabilize the income of farmers to ensure their continuance in farming. To encourage farmers to adopt innovative and modern agricultural practices. To ensure the flow of credit to the agriculture sector. Payment of premium: Farmers have to pay a maximum of 2 percent of the total premium of the insured amount for Kharif crops, 1.5 percent for rabi food crops and oilseeds as well as 5 percent for commercial/horticultural crops. The balance premium is shared by the Union and state governments on a 50:50 basis and on a 90:10 basis in the case of north-eastern states. Soil Health Card (SHC) scheme: The objectives of this scheme are to issue soil health cards to farmers every two years so as to provide a basis to address nutritional deficiencies in fertilization practices. Soil testing is developed to promote soil tests based on nutrient management.