Factors Affecting Awareness Level of Farmers about Crop Insurance: A Case Study of Haryana

Abstract

Dependency of Indian agriculture is still continuing on monsoon. The unpredictable and irregular distribution of monsoon rains increases risk and uncertainty farmers. Spreading the risk is an important aspect of decision making to farmers. For the improvement in the handling of perilous outcomes across individuals, there is a need for contingent plans. So, to be aware and to understand the importance of crop insurance and the related policies has become necessary for the farmers of Haryana. We have tried to know the stage of their awareness about crop insurance through this study.  The main objective of the study is to trace out the awareness level of farmers about crop insurance in Haryana and which are the main factor that affect their awareness level. The present study finds that there are so many socio-economic factors which affect the knowledge of farmers about crop insurance like age, education, sources of major income, category of farming, income level and experience of farming. Education plays major role in understanding policies and importance of insurance for the farmers. Both the government and the implementing agency in the area should initiate awareness campaign in order to increase the level of farmers. Awareness campaign should be conducted by the government from time to time at the village level to enhance the awareness level of farmers. The study suggests that the knowledge level of farmers about crop insurance and its schemes can be increased by using different platforms of spreading awareness through various educational efforts.