THANJAVUR: The crop insurance coverage during the Kuruvai season in the four Cauvery delta districts of Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai increased this year compared to last year as there is uncertainty of water release from Mettur Dam and apprehension of crop failure.
The awareness created among the farmers about the compensation for the prevented sowing clause is also cited as another reason.
As the water was not released from Mettur dam on the stipulated date of June 12, only those farmers who got agriculture electricity connections cultivated Kuruvai paddy this year using the ground water.
Hence the total area under Kuruvai paddy cultivation in the four districts has come down from 1.86 lakh hectares in 2025 to 1.37 lakh hectares in 2026. However the crop insurance coverage of Kuruvai crop has increased this year compared to last year.
During the 2025 Kuruvai season a total of 88,120 hectares was covered under the crop insurance in the four districts of Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Mayiladuthurai and Nagapattinam.
However, this year the crop insurance coverage increased to 1.41 lakh hectares. Of the four districts, Tiruvarur saw a steep increase from 35,690 hectares in 2025 to 64,570 hectares this year.
P S Masilamani, a farmer from Tiruvarur district and the state general secretary of TN farmers association said, “As there is uncertainty over when the water from Mettur will be released, the farmers who used to supplement ground water with canal water are apprehensive of saving the Kuruvai crop. Moreover the farmers are expecting compensation under the prevented sowing clause. Hence the increase in the insurance coverage.”
P Sukumaran of Tiruvaiyaru in Thanjavur district says, “I always pay a premium for Kuruvai crop. This year I prepared for Kuruvai cultivation, but due to non-availability of water, I could not sow. I am expecting compensation under the prevented sowing clause,” he added.
Agriculture and farmers welfare department officials point out the awareness drive taken up by the department along with insurance companies on prevented sowing clause has been one of the reasons for the increase in the coverage this year.