IAT recommends pension or life insurance for farmers to protect themselves against emergencies
The IAT, a policy advocacy body of 6,000 agricultural professionals, recommended immediate and long-term measures to mitigate the impact of the drought. | Photo credit: SK Dinesh
SHIVAMOGGA KARNATAKA 16/09/2026: A farmer walks through dry farmland, Shivamogga district, in drought-stricken Karnataka. Photo – SK Dinesh | Photo credit: SK Dinesh
The Institution of Agricultural Technologists (IAT) has recommended the Karnataka government to consider introducing a Farmers’ Pension Scheme or Farmers’ Life Insurance Scheme among other measures to support farmers and the agricultural sector during times of distress such as drought.
The IAT, a policy advocacy body of 6,000 agricultural professionals, recommended immediate and long-term measures to mitigate the impact of the drought.
In recommendations submitted to Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, IAT president AB Patil pointed out that of the nearly 79 million small and marginal farmers in the state, about 20% were above 65 years and could be considered for pension. “Otherwise, farmers’ life insurance could be considered in line with crop insurance,” he said.
He said the current drought should not only be addressed in terms of temporary relief, but should be seen as an opportunity to transform Karnataka’s agricultural policy approach from drought response to drought resilience.
The IAT suggested that the government set up a dedicated Karnataka Drought Resilience Mission that would integrate the ministries of agriculture, horticulture, watershed development, animal husbandry, rural development and water resources, Karnataka Natural Disaster Monitoring Committee, IMD, state agricultural universities and professional institutions.
As an immediate measure, the IAT suggested recording crop losses in villages and providing compensation to eligible farmers as soon as possible. Crop loss assessment and compensation payments could be expedited based on geo-referenced, satellite-supported data from the Farmers Registration and Beneficiary Unified Information System (FRUITS) and truth-based assessment. It also suggested speedy settlement of crop insurance claims through a special campaign involving remote sensing.
Emphasizing the need to focus on water security, the IAT proposed mandatory water budgeting at the gram-panchayat level in drought-prone areas and activities such as construction of barrages, farm ponds, check dams, recharge reservoirs under the VBG-RAM G scheme. At a larger level, it proposed reservoir rejuvenation programmes.
With an emphasis on watershed development for drought protection, it proposed to launch ‘One Taluk – One Drought Resilience Plan’ based on watershed principles. Each plan should identify water availability, groundwater status, among others.
It suggested setting up a drought recovery fund at the taluk level for quick interventions at the local level. It suggested preparing taluk-specific rabi contingency plans instead of the current method of one statewide plan.
Other recommendations include the establishment of a climate advisory system for smart agriculture of Karnataka, taluk-level fodder banks and a Karnataka climate-resilient seed bank to maintain region-specific, drought-tolerant, short-term standby varieties of crops and fodder and vegetable seeds.
It also proposed to establish a permanent drought knowledge consortium to support a digital drought advisory platform using artificial intelligence; and promotion of incentive vegetation in public places.
Published – 30 Sep 2026 21:56 IST