The Agriculture Department of Kerala has announced a crucial extension for farmers seeking financial security against unpredictable weather. The deadline for submitting applications for the Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme (WBCIS) for the ongoing rabi season-II has been officially advanced to January 15. This move is designed to allow a greater number of cultivators to enroll and safeguard their livelihoods.
What is the Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme (WBCIS)?
The WBCIS is a pivotal government initiative aimed at providing a safety net for farmers facing crop losses due to adverse climatic conditions. Unlike traditional yield-based assessments, this scheme uses weather parameters as a proxy to determine payouts. If recorded data from notified weather stations—such as unseasonal rainfall, deficit rain, temperature swings, or abnormal humidity—deviates from pre-set triggers, enrolled farmers in the reference area automatically become eligible for compensation.
The scheme offers broad coverage for notified crops, which include:
- Food crops like cereals, millets, and pulses.
- Oilseeds.
- Annual commercial and horticultural crops.
The specific crops and areas covered are finalized by the state-level coordination committee on crop insurance.
Affordable Premiums and How to Apply
A significant advantage of the WBCIS is its highly subsidized and affordable premium structure. Farmers pay only a small, fixed portion of the sum insured, with the central and state governments sharing the remaining cost equally.
The premium rates are set as follows:
- For food crops and oilseeds: 1.5% of the sum insured.
- For annual commercial and horticultural crops: 5% of the sum insured.
Eligible farmers can submit their applications through authorized agencies or directly via the official online portal. Department officials are urging all farmers cultivating during this rabi season to take immediate advantage of this opportunity and ensure their submissions are completed before the new deadline. After applying, it is essential for farmers to verify the policy copy they receive.
A Complementary Safety Net for Farmers
The WBCIS operates alongside the flagship yield-based Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). While the two schemes employ different methodologies for calculating compensation—one based on weather indices and the other on actual crop yield—they share the unified goal of strengthening financial security for India's agricultural community. This extension of the deadline in Kerala underscores the department's active efforts to maximize participation and ensure that more farmers are protected from the increasing volatility of climate change.
By advancing the last date to January 15, the state agriculture department has provided a valuable window for farmers to secure their investments and ensure their hard work is not lost to the elements.
