Agriculture and Allied Sectors (Economic Development) (Part-III)

Total Questions: 50

31. First Krishi Vigyan Kendra in India was established in the year : [U.P.P.S.C. (GIC) 2017]

Correct Answer: (c) 1974
Solution:The first 'Krishi Vigyan Kendra' (KVK) in India was established in the year 1974 at Puducherry. KVK, is an integral part of the National Agricultural Research System (NARS), aim at assessment of location specific technology modules in agricultural and allied enterprises, through technology assessment, refinement and demonstrations.

Currently (as in May, 2024), there are 731 (As per the websites of Krishi Vigyan Kendra Knowledge Network and ICAR) Krishi Vigyan Kendras which are continuously are continuously working for the betterment of farmers.

32. With reference to 'Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana' consider the following statement: [I.A.S. (Pre) 2016]

1. Under this scheme, farmers will have to pay a uniform premium of two percent for any crop they cultivate in any season of the year.

2. This scheme covers post-harvest losses arising out of the cyclones and unseasonal rain.

Which of statement given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (b) 2 only
Solution:A new umbrella scheme Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana' (PMFBY) was launched on 13th January, 2016 (from Kharif 2016) by replacing earlier two schemes - National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS) and Modified National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (MNAIS). The main objectives of the PMFBY are:

• To provide insurance coverage and financial p the farmers in the event of failure of any of the notified crop as a result of natural calamities, pests and diseases.

•  To stabilize the income of farmers to ensure their continuance in farming.

•  To encourage farmers to adopt innovative and m agricultural practices.

•  To ensure flow of credit to the agriculture sector.

PMFBY covers all food and oilseed crops and commercial/horticultural crops for which past yield data available. The prescribed premium (% of Sum Insured or Actuarial Rate, whichever is less) under PMFBY is 2% to paid by the farmers for all Kharif crops and 1.5% for all crops. In case of annual commercial and horticultural co the premium to be paid by the farmers is 5%. In order ensure more efficient and effective implementation of scheme, the government had launched the revamped PMFE from the Kharif 2020 season.

33. Crop Insurance Scheme in India was started in : [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2012]

Correct Answer: (c) 1985
Solution:The first attempt for crop insurance was made on April 1985 during the Kharif season, when the Comprehensive Crop Insurance Scheme (CCIS) was launched by the Indian government.

Crop insurance schemes in India aim to protect farmers from financial losses due to crop failure or damage caused by natural disasters, pests, and diseases. These schemes play a vital role in stabilizing farmers' incomes and ensuring the sustainability of agriculture.

Crop or Agriculture Insurance covers risks of anticipated loss in yield of various crops. Almost all Crop Insurance business comes from 'Schemes' or 'Programs'. These Schemes operate on principles of 'Area Approach'. Coverage is compulsory for farmers taking crop loans from rural financial institutions (RFIs) for cultivation of crops, i.e., loanee farmers. Non-loanee farmers can also insure their crops under the same schemes.

34. National Agricultural Insurance Scheme replacing Comprehensive Crop Insurance Scheme was introduced in the year : [I.A.S. (Pre) 2001]

Correct Answer: (c) 1999
Solution:The Union Ministry of Agriculture launched the Nation Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS) from the Rabi, 19% 2000 season in place of Comprehensive Crop Insurance Scheme which was started on April 1, 1985.

NAIS W launched as part of risk management in agriculture with the objective of providing financial support to the farmers in the event of failure of crops as a result of natural calamities, pes and diseases. NAIS was extended to Kharif crops as well b the Union Budget 2004-05.

A new central sector scheme 'National Crop Insurance Programme' (NCIP) was formulated by grouping NAIS, Pil Modified NAIS (started from Rabi 2010-11), Pilot Wealth Based Crop Insurance Scheme (WBCIS-started from Kharif 2007) and Pilot Coconut Palm Insurance Scheme (CPIS-started in 2009-10), NCIP came into force from Rabi 2013-14 season and covers all districts.

A new umbrella scheme Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna (PMFBY) was launched in India by the Ministry of Agriculture from Kharif 2016 season onwards. It incorporates the best features of all previous schemes and at the same time, all previous shortcomings/weaknesses have been removed. PMFBY replaced the NAIS and modified NAIS. Further, WBCIS has also been modified on par with PMFBY in 2016.

35. National Agricultural Insurance Scheme was launched in the year : [Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2016]

Correct Answer: (c) 1999-2000
Solution:The Union Ministry of Agriculture launched the Nation Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS) from the Rabi, 19% 2000 season in place of Comprehensive Crop Insurance Scheme which was started on April 1, 1985.

NAIS W launched as part of risk management in agriculture with the objective of providing financial support to the farmers in the event of failure of crops as a result of natural calamities, pes and diseases. NAIS was extended to Kharif crops as well b the Union Budget 2004-05.

A new central sector scheme 'National Crop Insurance Programme' (NCIP) was formulated by grouping NAIS, Pil Modified NAIS (started from Rabi 2010-11), Pilot Wealth Based Crop Insurance Scheme (WBCIS-started from Kharif 2007) and Pilot Coconut Palm Insurance Scheme (CPIS-started in 2009-10), NCIP came into force from Rabi 2013-14 season and covers all districts.

A new umbrella scheme Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna (PMFBY) was launched in India by the Ministry of Agriculture from Kharif 2016 season onwards. It incorporates the best features of all previous schemes and at the same time, all previous shortcomings/weaknesses have been removed. PMFBY replaced the NAIS and modified NAIS. Further, WBCIS has also been modified on par with PMFBY in 2016.

36. National Agriculture Insurance Scheme was launched in the year : [Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2016, U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2003]

Correct Answer: (c) 1999-2000
Solution:The Union Ministry of Agriculture launched the Nation Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS) from the Rabi, 19% 2000 season in place of Comprehensive Crop Insurance Scheme which was started on April 1, 1985.

NAIS W launched as part of risk management in agriculture with the objective of providing financial support to the farmers in the event of failure of crops as a result of natural calamities, pes and diseases. NAIS was extended to Kharif crops as well b the Union Budget 2004-05.

A new central sector scheme 'National Crop Insurance Programme' (NCIP) was formulated by grouping NAIS, Pil Modified NAIS (started from Rabi 2010-11), Pilot Wealth Based Crop Insurance Scheme (WBCIS-started from Kharif 2007) and Pilot Coconut Palm Insurance Scheme (CPIS-started in 2009-10), NCIP came into force from Rabi 2013-14 season and covers all districts.

A new umbrella scheme Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna (PMFBY) was launched in India by the Ministry of Agriculture from Kharif 2016 season onwards. It incorporates the best features of all previous schemes and at the same time, all previous shortcomings/weaknesses have been removed. PMFBY replaced the NAIS and modified NAIS. Further, WBCIS has also been modified on par with PMFBY in 2016.

37. In which financial year, the Union Budget proposed to extend the National Agriculture Insurance Scheme to Kharif crop as well ? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2004, 2005]

Correct Answer: (b) 2004-05
Solution:The Union Ministry of Agriculture launched the Nation Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS) from the Rabi, 19% 2000 season in place of Comprehensive Crop Insurance Scheme which was started on April 1, 1985.

NAIS W launched as part of risk management in agriculture with the objective of providing financial support to the farmers in the event of failure of crops as a result of natural calamities, pes and diseases. NAIS was extended to Kharif crops as well b the Union Budget 2004-05.

A new central sector scheme 'National Crop Insurance Programme' (NCIP) was formulated by grouping NAIS, Pil Modified NAIS (started from Rabi 2010-11), Pilot Wealth Based Crop Insurance Scheme (WBCIS-started from Kharif 2007) and Pilot Coconut Palm Insurance Scheme (CPIS-started in 2009-10), NCIP came into force from Rabi 2013-14 season and covers all districts.

A new umbrella scheme Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna (PMFBY) was launched in India by the Ministry of Agriculture from Kharif 2016 season onwards. It incorporates the best features of all previous schemes and at the same time, all previous shortcomings/weaknesses have been removed. PMFBY replaced the NAIS and modified NAIS. Further, WBCIS has also been modified on par with PMFBY in 2016.

38. Weather Based Crop Insurance scheme was first implemented in : [U.P.U.D.A./L.D.A. (Mains) 2010]

Correct Answer: (b) Karnataka
Solution:Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (WBCIS) was first implemented in Karnataka in Kharif 2007 season. From Kharif 2008 season it was extended to 10 States.

WBCIS aims to mitigate the hardship of the insured farmers against the likelihood of financial loss on account of anticipated crop loss resulting from adverse weather conditions related to rainfall, temperature, wind, humidity etc. This scheme was implemented by the Agriculture Insurance Company of India (AIC)

The Restructured WBCIS was launched from Kharif 2016 in 12 States whereas 9 States have implemented the scheme in Rabi 2016-17.

At present, Agriculture Insurance Company of India (AIC) and other public sector and private sector general insurance companies empanelled by the Ministry of Agriculture and selected by the concerned State/UT Government implement restructured WBCIS.

39. Consider the following Statements : [B.P.S.C (Pre) 2015]

1. Varsha Bima, the rainfall insurance scheme, is managed by the Agriculture Insurance Company of India Ltd. (AICIL).

2. The scheme was introduced during the 2007 South -West monsoon period.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

Correct Answer: (a) Only 1
Solution:The Agriculture Insurance Company of India Ltd. (AICIL) introduced a rainfall insurance scheme known as 'Varsha Bima' in India during the 2004 South-West Monsoon Period. Varsha Bima was piloted in 20 areas of Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Rajasthan. Hence, only Statement 1 is correct.

Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (WBCIS) was launched from Kharif 2007, which was implemented by the AICIL. At present, the AICIL and other public sector and private sector general insurance companies empanelled by the Ministry of Agricultural and selected by the concerned State/UT Government implement the restructured WBCIS.

40. Crop Insurance is under the monopoly of : [U.P.P.C.S. (Spl.) (Mains) 2008]

Correct Answer: (c) General Insurance Company
Solution:In the question period crop insurance was under the monopoly of Agriculture Insurance Company of India (AIC). AIC had taken over the implementation of crop insurance, which until the financial year of 2002-03 was implemented by the General Insurance Corporation of India.

At present, the AIC and other public sector and private sector general insurance companies empanelled by the Ministry of Agriculture and selected by the concerned State UT Government implement the Government sponsored agriculture and crop insurance sehemes.