Amaravati, Oct 10 (IANS): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Friday formally launched the free crop insurance scheme for farmers, announced last year.

The scheme has resulted in a steep increase of the covered area and the likely insurance claims reaching Rs 1,801 crore.

"The announcement of free crop insurance during 2019-20 resulted in the highest coverage," said an official.

Compared to 2018, farmers enrollment for crop insurance rose by 154 per cent in 2019 season, reaching up to 31 lakh hectares.

The Chief Minister has instructed officials to implement this scheme from the current Kharif season itself.

During the Rabi season 2019-20, the Andhra government has decided to implement the scheme as a 100 per cent state scheme for all cultivators and farmers who are cultivating notified crops in the areas based on registration through e-crop.

"The details of crops sown have been physically verified and protection is provided to all genuine and eligible cultivators," said an official.

Reddy formally announced a free crop insurance scheme during "YSR Rythu Dinotsavam" on July 8, 2019 at Jammalamadugu and distributed insurance enrollment receipts to some non-loan farmers.

Enrollment campaigns were also conducted to maximise the insurance coverage.

Kurnool MLA Abdul Hafeez Khan said: "AP government has again proved that it's a pro-farmer government. Our CM Jagan Mohan Reddy stood by the distressed farmers."

He said the free farm insurance scheme is a major breakthrough in supporting the farming community.