A spokesman of the Agriculture Department said that National Agriculture Insurance Scheme (NAIS) to compensate the farmers for the losses caused due to natural disasters would continue for wheat and barley crops during the current rabi season.

He said that the last date for insuring the crop was 31st March, 2012 and added that it was mandatory for those farmers who had taken loans or want to seek the loan. He said that the scheme was voluntary for non loanee farmers and last date for insurance for them was 31st January, 2012.

He said that the insurance cover on general coverage of wheat was Rs. 8400 per hectare and maximum was Rs. 20900 whereas the same on barley crop was Rs. 7500 and Rs. 14000 per hectare. He said that the rate of premium on wheat was 1.50 percent and 1.55 percent respectively whereas the same on barley was 2 and 7.60 percent respectively. He said that 50 percent subsidy on premium was available for small and marginal farmers.