Apple Insurance Dispute in Jumla Resolved After Government-Led Talks
Kathmandu — The long-standing insurance dispute between apple farmers of Jumla and Shikhar Insurance Company has been resolved following tripartite discussions involving the government, the insurer, and farmers’ representatives.
According to the agreement, apple farmers from Tatopani, Patarasi, and Kanakasundari rural municipalities will receive insurance compensation for crop losses. The decision was reached after a series of negotiations coordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development.
Earlier, farmers had launched protests and sit-in demonstrations after expressing dissatisfaction with the initial loss assessment, which had fixed compensation at only Rs 24 per apple plant. Despite repeated discussions facilitated by the District Administration Office, Jumla, no consensus was reached, prompting farmers and local representatives to travel to Kathmandu to seek resolution.
Subsequently, phased discussions were held involving Shikhar Insurance Company, the Insurance Development Board, the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, and representatives of the concerned local governments. In the final meeting held on Magh 2, it was agreed to correct errors identified in the meteorological assessment report and to classify the affected areas as moderately drought-affected.
As per the revised agreement, the insurance payout has been fixed at Rs 400 per plant for farmers in Tatopani Rural Municipality, and Rs 350 per plant for those in Patarasi and Kanakasundari rural municipalities. The total insurance amount, including the subsidy provided by the Government of Nepal, will be paid in a lump sum.
Following the agreement, the lockout imposed on Shikhar Insurance’s Jumla office will be lifted. Necessary documents will be collected within 15 days of the agreement, and payments will be made to farmers through cheques. Additionally, the premium collected for plants that were rejected for failing to meet insurance criteria will be refunded.
With this settlement, the insurance claim process will move forward for more than 97,000 apple plants insured by approximately 511 farmers of Tatopani Rural Municipality during the fiscal year 2080/81.