IAT recommends pension or life insurance cover for farmers to insulate from distress

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The IAT, which is a policy advocacy body with 6,000 agricultural experts as its members, has recommended both immediate- and long-term measures to be taken to mitigate the impact of drought. | Photo Credit: S.K. Dinesh

SHIVAMOGGA  KARNATAKA  16/09/2026 :  A farmer walk in dry agriculture land, Shivamogga district, in Karnataka, which is facing drought. Photo - S.K. Dinesh | Photo Credit: S.K. Dinesh

The Institution of Agricultural Technologists (IAT) has recommended to Karnataka government to consider introducing Farmers’ Pension Scheme or Farmers’ Life Insurance Scheme among other measures to support farmers as well as agricultural sector during distress like drought.

The IAT, which is a policy advocacy body with 6,000 agricultural experts as its members, has recommended both immediate- and long-term measures to be taken to mitigate the impact of drought.

In the recommendations submitted to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, IAT president A.B. Patil pointed out that of the nearly 79 lakh small and marginal farmers in the State, about 20% were above the age of 65 and could be considered for pension. “Otherwise, the farmers’ life insurance could be considered in line with crop insurance,” he said.

He said the present drought should be treated not merely from the temporary relief perspective, but seen as an opportunity to transform Karnataka’s agricultural policy’s approach from drought response to drought resilience.

The IAT has suggested that the government should establish a dedicated Karnataka Drought Resilience Mission integrating the Departments of Agriculture, Horticulture, Watershed Development, Animal Husbandry, Rural Development and Water Resources, Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Committee, IMD, State Agricultural Universities, and professional institutions.

As an immediate measure, IAT suggested recording village-wise crop losses, and providing compensation to eligible farmers at the earliest. The crop loss assessment and compensation payment process could be expedited based on geo-referenced, satellite-supported, Farmer Registration and Unified beneficiary Information System (FRUITS) data, and ground-truthed assessment, it said. It has also suggested quick settlement of crop insurance claims through a special campaign, involving remote sensing.

Stressing the need to focus on water security, IAT suggested mandatory water budgeting at the gram panchayat-level in drought-prone areas and activities like building bunds, farm ponds, check dams, recharge pits under VBG-RAM G scheme. At the larger level, it has suggested tank rejuvenation programmes.

Laying emphasis on watershed development for drought-proofing, it has suggested launching of “One Taluk–One Drought Resilience Plan” based on watershed principles. Each plan should identify water availability, groundwater status, among others.

It suggested setting up taluk-level Drought Recovery Fund for rapid interventions at the grassroots’ level. It suggested preparing taluk-specific rabi contingency plans instead of the present method of having one State-wide plan.

The other recommendations include establishing a Karnataka State Climate-Smart Agriculture Advisory System, taluk-level fodder banks and Karnataka Climate-Resilient Seed Bank to maintain region-specific, drought-tolerant, short-duration contingency crop and fodder varieties and vegetable seeds.

It has also suggested setting up a permanent Drought Knowledge Consortium, promoting Digital Drought Advisory Platform with the use of AI; and promotion of incentive-based vegetation in public places.

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