Approximately 16,000 grape farmers in Vijayapura district have finally begun receiving much-needed insurance compensation after threatening to escalate their protests over significant crop losses. The resolution comes following intense negotiations between farmer representatives and district authorities.
Delayed Compensation Sparks Farmer Anger
The insurance company had started granting compensation for 2024-25 to grape growers from Saturday, according to KH Mumbaraddi, president of Karnataka Grape Growers Association in Vijayapura. This payment was originally scheduled for release in September but faced unexpected delays that frustrated the farming community.
Mumbaraddi expressed the collective frustration of growers, stating: "This was supposed to be released in September itself. However, the company deferred it, claiming instances of false information furnished by the growers. If so, it was their duty to verify while collecting the premium. Because of someone's mistake, compensation was held back for all genuine claimants."
Administrative Intervention Breaks Deadlock
The breakthrough came after farmer representatives successfully engaged with Vijayapura district in-charge minister MB Patil and concerned officials. "We convinced Vijayapura district in-charge minister MB Patil and officials concerned to start the process," revealed Mumbaraddi, highlighting the crucial role of political intervention in resolving the impasse.
Grape growers have been suffering substantial losses due to multiple environmental challenges including drought, incessant rains, floods, and crop diseases. These compounding factors created severe financial distress among the agricultural community that depends heavily on grape cultivation.
Verification Process Identifies Minor Irregularities
District administration sources acknowledged some irregularities in insurance claims, though the scale was relatively small. Sources confirmed that only 2-3% out of about 16,000 grape growers had submitted questionable claims, with some instances of people furnishing details of others' farms to secure insurance payouts.
Rahul Bavidoddi, the deputy director of Horticulture in Vijayapura, explained the technical reason for the delay: "The process to pay compensation was delayed due to a mismatch in crop area. We instructed the insurance company to conduct a survey, and they did it... Growers will receive compensation within 4-5 days."
The resolution mirrors earlier successful protests by sugarcane farmers in the region, demonstrating the growing effectiveness of collective farmer action in securing their rights. Each farmer had paid a premium of Rs 15,000 per hectare under the crop insurance scheme, making the timely compensation crucial for their financial survival.
