Indian Crop Insurance Schemes: Gender Performance Analysis

Abstract

Crop insurance schemes are pivotal in mitigating agricultural risks, especially in rural economies like India. However, the gender dimension of participation in these schemes remains largely overlooked. This research paper delves into the gender disparities in participation rates, coverage, and benefits accrued from Indian crop insurance schemes, using six years of data from the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana website. The researcher employed few descriptive statistics like mean, Standard Deviation (SD), coefficient of variation (CV), and Skewness for data analysis purpose. Besides Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) has been used to determine the growth rate of farmers’ participation. The analysis reveals significant gender gaps in participation, with male farmers constituting a higher percentage of participants than their female counterparts across the Kharif ( In India, the Kharif season is when the monsoon crops are grown and harvested throughout the harvesting season of India, typically from June to October )and Rabi (Rabi season is when crops are usually sown in the middle of November and harvested in April or May) seasons. While male participation was declining, female participation remained relatively stable but at lower levels. Gender-disaggregated participation highlighted challenges faced by gender-minority farmers (Here Gender Minority farmers used for Transgender Farmers). Practical suggestions include gender-sensitive outreach programs, tailored policy interventions, and improvements in accessibility for female farmers. This research contributes to the discourse on gender equality in agriculture, providing insights for policymakers and practitioners aiming to design inclusive agricultural policies and programs. Addressing these disparities can lead to greater gender equality, enhancing the sustainability and resilience of agrarian economies like India.