VIJAYAWADA: With the El Niño threat raising concerns over rainfall and crop losses, the Andhra Pradesh government has stepped up crop insurance coverage to ensure that every eligible farmer gets financial protection, with enrolment under Kharif 2026 surging nearly 80 per cent to 35.17 lakh applications, Agriculture Minister K Atchannaidu said on Sunday. He said the sharp rise in coverage reflected the coalition government’s commitment to protecting farmers from weather-related risks through affordable insurance.
Atchannaidu said the government had intensified enrollment to ensure that no eligible farmer was left outside the insurance net. Following the directions of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, officials directly contacted farmers and mapped eligible beneficiaries through Rythu Seva Kendras, clusters and farmer-wise records. A special enrolment drive was conducted from July 29 to 31 to identify eligible farmers who had not been covered earlier.
He clarified that enrollment was carried out with the consent of farmers and that no farmer was forced to register. Since applications could not be accepted after the deadline, farmers in areas where cultivation was possible were informed in advance and given an opportunity to obtain insurance protection.
In view of the El Niño risk, the government worked with insurance companies and extended enrolment deadlines. The weather-based RWBCIS deadline was extended from July 15 to July 31, while the yield-based PMFBY deadline was extended from July 31 to August 15. The State government also proposed extending PMFBY enrolment further until August 31 and provided banks an additional 15 days to complete enrolment details.
As a result, applications increased from 19.50 lakh in Kharif 2025 to 35.17 lakh in Kharif 2026, an increase of nearly 80 per cent. Enrolment among non-loanee farmers rose sharply from 2 lakh to 20.35 lakh.
The insured area increased from 7.83 lakh hectares to 15.17 lakh hectares, registering nearly 94 per cent growth.
The total insured amount stood at Rs 13,983 crore, placing Andhra Pradesh fifth in the country in insured area, Atchannaidu said.
He said the government was also addressing around Rs 1,990 crore in pending premium liabilities from the previous administration. The coalition government had initiated steps to clear the dues in phases.
“Our objective is to ensure that not a single farmer is left without protection. Maximum insurance coverage at the lowest possible premium remains our priority,” Atchannaidu said.