Crop Insurance Enrolment Rises as West Bengal Rejoins Scheme

Crop insurance helps farmers receive money if their crops are damaged by bad weather, pests or diseases.

More farmers joined the government’s insurance scheme during the 2026 kharif season.

The scheme covered 27.3 million farmers and nearly 29.7 million hectares of farmland.

West Bengal joined the national scheme again after using its own insurance programme for several years.

More than 3.2 million West Bengal farmers enrolled this season.

Farmers and governments were also worried about weak rainfall and a possible El Niño weather pattern.

Rainfall was below normal in June and August.

Officials and insurers encouraged more farmers to obtain coverage, including through farm loans.

The scheme allows farmers to pay only a small share of the insurance premium.

The government and states pay the remaining subsidized amount.