The factors affecting the demand for crop insurance are analysed and its impact on the yields of smallholder rice producers in eastern India is assessed. Using data from a large farm-level survey from eastern India, a positive and significant impact of crop insurance on rice yields is observed. The robustness of the findings are tested after controlling for other covariates and endogeneity, using propensity-score matching and endogenous switching regression models.
The tenancy conditions in Andhra Pradesh are analysed and the new tenancy act, Andhra Pradesh Crop Cultivator Rights Act, 2019, is evaluated. Highlighting the lacunae in the act, the urgent need to address the genuine concerns of tenant cultivators is pointed out.
Crop insurance would be essential in insulating a large proportion of India’s farmers against food insecurity in the future. How has the government fared in implementing it till now?
The Government of India aims to double the crop insurance coverage to 50% through the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana by 2018. By analysing the agricultural household data, this article comments on the feasibility of attaining this target by looking at the past performance of similar schemes. Few critical areas where efforts need to be concentrated in order to increase coverage are discussed.
