With only hours left until the July 31 enrolment deadline, farmers across Rayalaseema are running out of time to secure crop insurance coverage for the ongoing agricultural season.

The officials of the Agriculture and Horticulture departments have stepped up last-minute efforts to enrol as many farmers as possible under the insurance scheme in Sri Sathya Sai, Chittoor and Annamayya districts, which are historically known for their dependence on the monsoons. The much-projected El Nino impact has further aggravated the distress scenario in the region.

Officials observe that crop insurance has become an important and inevitable safety measure for the farmers of Rayalaseema region, where agriculture remains vulnerable to changing weather patterns.

The region is perennially subjected to delayed monsoons, dry spells, and unseasonal rainfall over the last several decades. Uncertain weather patterns continue to pose challenges to cultivation every year. Insurance coverage offers the much-needed financial support when adverse conditions damage crops, the officials said.

In Sri Sathya Sai district, enrolment figures released by the Agriculture department indicate that 10,279 farmers have registered under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), covering 15,950 hectares. Under the Restructured Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS), 78,798 farmers have been enrolled so far, accounting for 1,00,320 hectares brought under insurance protection.

Agriculture and horticulture are the backbone of the rural economy in Chittoor and Annamayya districts. Official records show that Annamayya district has around 1.61 lakh active farming households, while Chittoor has an estimated 1.85 lakh farming families. Together, the two districts account for nearly 3.5 lakh farmers engaged in agriculture and horticulture activities. Horticulture crops such as mango, tomato, banana and other fruit and vegetable crops contribute significantly to the agrarian economy. The majority are small and marginal farmers, highlighting the sector’s contribution to livelihoods and regional economic growth.

Officials say that enrolment activities for crop insurance are progressing briskly in Chittoor and Annamayya districts as well.

Sri Sathya Sai district Collector A. Shyam Prasad said that crop insurance holds immense significance in regions dependent on seasonal rainfall. “Even a short spell of unfavourable weather can affect yields and farm incomes. Timely insurance coverage provides farmers an additional layer of financial security during uncertain times,” he said.

Published - July 30, 2026 08:10 pm IST