The correct answer is: A) Crop insurance.
The Krishi Bhagya scheme is a crop insurance scheme launched by the Government of Karnataka in 2016. The scheme provides insurance cover to farmers against crop failure due to natural calamities such as drought, flood, hailstorm, and pest attack. The scheme is implemented by the Karnataka State Agricultural Marketing Board (KSMB).
The scheme is open to all farmers who own land in Karnataka. The landholding should be at least one hectare for dry land crops and half a hectare for wet land crops. The farmer should be a member of a farmers’ cooperative society or a registered agricultural association.
The premium for the scheme is paid by the government. The farmer has to pay a nominal registration fee of Rs. 100 per hectare. The maximum insurance cover is Rs. 2 lakh per hectare.
The scheme has been successful in providing financial assistance to farmers who have suffered crop losses due to natural calamities. The scheme has also helped to reduce the risk of crop failure and improve the income of farmers.
The other options are incorrect because:
- Rainwater harvesting is a method of collecting and storing rainwater for use during dry periods. It is not a crop insurance scheme.
- Farm mechanization is the use of machines to perform agricultural tasks. It is not a crop insurance scheme.
- Skill development is the process of acquiring new skills. It is not a crop insurance scheme.