Himachal Pradesh News
Himachal Pradesh Crop Insurance Update: Jagat Singh Negi Rejects Hailstorm Cover in Core Scheme, Cites Premium Burden
In a significant policy decision impacting thousands of orchardists, Himachal Pradesh Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi has rejected a proposal to include hailstorm damage under the core coverage of the state’s weather-based crop insurance scheme.
In a significant policy decision impacting thousands of orchardists, Himachal Pradesh Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi has rejected a proposal to include hailstorm damage under the core coverage of the state’s weather-based crop insurance scheme.
The move comes after the Department of Horticulture recommended expanding the base insurance to cover hailstorm losses. However, the minister argued that such a step would increase financial pressure on farmers, especially those in regions where hailstorms are rare.
Why Hailstorm Cover Was Rejected
Currently, hailstorm damage is available as an optional add-on under the scheme. Defending the existing structure, Negi explained that hailstorms are not uniformly distributed across the state.
“If hailstorm is included in the main cover, premiums will rise for all farmers. Growers in low-risk areas will end up paying more without receiving proportional benefits,” he said.
At present, farmers pay Rs 75 per apple tree for the basic insurance cover, which provides protection of up to Rs 1,500 against risks like temperature fluctuations, excessive or deficient rainfall, and strong winds.
If hailstorm coverage were added to the base plan, the premium would increase to Rs 98 per tree, with coverage rising to Rs 1,950.
Low Adoption Despite Rising Risks
Interestingly, even though hailstorms have become more frequent and damaging in recent years, farmer participation in the optional add-on remains extremely low.
In Shimla—which contributes nearly 70–80% of Himachal’s apple production—only five farmers opted for hailstorm insurance this year.
This highlights a key challenge for policymakers: improving insurance adoption despite increasing climate risks.
New Focus: Snowfall Risk Coverage
While rejecting the hailstorm proposal, Negi has directed the department to introduce unseasonal snowfall as an optional add-on.
This comes amid growing concerns among high-altitude farmers, where unexpected snowfall during April has started affecting crops more frequently.
Over the past six years, orchards located above 8,000 feet have experienced snowfall during the flowering season on at least three occasions. These events have caused extensive damage to trees, anti-hail nets, and bamboo support structures.
Balancing Affordability and Protection
The Himachal government now faces a delicate balancing act—expanding risk coverage while keeping insurance affordable and encouraging more farmers to participate.
As climate patterns continue to shift, ensuring effective and accessible crop insurance will remain a critical priority for the state’s horticulture sector.
