Coconut farmers who complained of pest-infestation during the monthly grievances redress meeting in Coimbatore were apprised of the utility of Coconut Palm Insurance Scheme of the Coconut Development Board (CDB) functioning under the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.Farmers were advised to explore the CDB insurance scheme when they sought to know why the coconut crop was not covered under the Prime Minister Crop Insurance Scheme for the damage to the plantations caused by pests.Chairing the meeting, District Collector Pavankumar G Giriyappanavar called upon farmers to insure their crops unfailingly citing the 40% shortage in rainfall accrual from the southwest monsoon.Awareness camps would be conducted in all blocks to guide farmers on choice of crops that would withstand dry conditions, he said.District Coordinator of Agriculture Insurance Company of India Marudhanayagam said turmeric, tapioca, paddy, green gram, black gram, horse gram, maize, sorghum, banana, onion, tomato, brinjal crops are covered under the Prime Minister Crop Insurance Scheme. The deadline for insuring paddy, green gram and black gram crops ended on Friday.A thrust has been accorded for insuring the specific crops due to the drought conditions, he said. Published - July 31, 2026 10:30 pm IST