The State Level Farmers' Convention on Monday demanded that Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) be immediately withdrawn as it has failed to serve its purpose.

The convention alleged that farmers are not getting their rightful due under the PMFBY. The convention also announced that it will organise farmers' conventions at the block-level from September 15 onwards to educate farmers about their rights.

General secretary, all India kisan sabha (AIKS-Odisha), Suresh Panigrahi, said: “Under the PMFBY, farmers are not getting any significant benefits. The scheme mostly serves the interest of the corporates. It’s the corporates who are being benefitted.”

Panigrahi said: “In place of PMFBY, a comprehensive crop insurance policy should be brought, keeping the farmers’ interest in mind. It should cover all kinds of crop loss either due to natural disasters or in animal and pest attacks. Farmers should be compensated for any kind of crop loss.”

He said: “Despite our repeated pleas, both the Centre and state have failed to implement the MS Swaminathan Committee’s report on minimum support price (MSP) of agricultural produce. Farmers should be given Rs 5,000 as pension after 60 years”

The convention accused both the Narendra Modi and Naveen Patnaik governments of working towards protecting the interests of the corporates at the cost of farmers.

The convention also promised to intensify the farmers' agitation across the state in the coming days to put pressure on the government to refrain from working against the interests of the farmers. It will observe October 3 as a black day.

Addressing the convention, eminent social activist Prafulla Samanatra said: “It is the Narendra Modi government which initiated several schemes to destroy the livelihood of farmers. Now the Naveen Patnaik government is supporting each move of the Modi government. Minerals are being looted by corporates in the name of development. We will no longer allow them to do this.”