The number of farmers covered under the National Agriculture Insurance Scheme, NAIS has increased from over 105 lakhs in 2000-01 to over 1700 lakh in 2010-11.

According to the Agriculture Ministry's release, Maharashtra has the maximum number of farmers with insurance cover followed by Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. At present the scheme is being implemented in 25 States and two union territories.

The main objective of the scheme is to protect farmers against crop losses suffered on account of natural calamities, such as drought, flood, hailstorm, cyclone pests and diseases.

The scheme is available to all farmers irrespective of their size of land holding.