Patna: Chief minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday said the government had decided to implement the Bihar Rajya Fasal Sahayata Yojna to protect farmers against the vagaries of nature as they were not benefiting from the Centre's crop insurance scheme.

"Our farmers have not got benefits worth the premium amount being paid to insurance companies under the (Pradhan Mantri) Fasal Bima Yojana by the state and central governments. Both the governments used to pay Rs 400 crore each as insurance premium for kharif and rabi crops, but the farmers were getting compensation worth only Rs 150 crore," Nitish said.

He added that the ground reality has forced the Bihar government to launch its own crop assistance scheme. Under the Bihar Rajya Fasal Sahayata Yojna, losses to farmers would be assessed and financial help provided accordingly.

Nitish said the district administrations will publicise the scheme among the public. The people will be told that financial assistance in the wake of damage to crops or less productivity will be provided to farmers who own land, and non-ryots - who cultivate land belonging to others.

" Kisan salahkars (farm advisers) and ward members will prepare a report about non-ryots in their areas. The scheme will be implemented from the forthcoming kharif season," he said.