The Rajasthan government has implemented the Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS) to provide financial protection to farmers against crop losses linked to adverse weather conditions and other notified weather events.
The scheme will cover notified commercial and horticultural crops across the state for two crop seasons, from Kharif 2026 to Rabi 2026-27. Eligible farmers can receive insurance protection against weather-related risks affecting their crops, subject to the scheme’s terms, district notifications and applicable conditions.
According to Agriculture Commissioner Naresh Kumar Goyal, the scheme will be implemented by the Agriculture Insurance Company of India Limited (AIC). A range of commercial and horticultural crops has been notified across Rajasthan’s 41 districts, potentially extending insurance coverage to a large number of growers.
The scheme is particularly relevant for horticultural crops, where sudden changes in weather can affect both crop yield and quality.
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Add INDYASTORY on GoogleHorticultural and commercial crops notified across Rajasthan
A wide range of crops has been included under the Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme for the upcoming seasons.
For Kharif 2026, the notified crops include:
- Green chillies
- Okra
- Onion
- Tomato
- Castor
- Pomegranate
- Tinda
- Mehendi
- Orange
- Kinnow
For Rabi 2026-27, the notified crop list includes:
- Amla
- Brinjal
- Fennel
- Cauliflower
- Garlic
- Onion
- Peas
- Tomato
- Potato
- Guava
- Lemon
- Mango
- Melon
- Watermelon
- Ber
- Cabbage
- Mousambi
- Papaya
The inclusion of these crops is intended to provide financial protection against weather-related risks for growers whose produce can be particularly vulnerable to sudden changes in climatic conditions.
However, farmers should note that crop notifications and eligibility can vary by district. They should therefore check the latest official notification applicable to their area before applying.
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Add INDYASTORY on GoogleWhat risks does the weather-based insurance scheme cover?
The Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme is designed to address economic losses associated with adverse weather and notified weather events.
According to the information provided, farmers can receive insurance cover against risks including:
- Hailstorms
- Untimely rainfall
- Drought
- Other notified adverse weather events
Unlike conventional approaches that may focus on direct physical crop-loss assessment, weather-based insurance schemes can rely on predefined weather parameters and triggers. The exact conditions, thresholds, weather stations and claim procedures can depend on the crop, district and applicable insurance notification.
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Add INDYASTORY on GoogleFor this reason, farmers should carefully read the specific terms and conditions before enrolling.
Crop insurance open to loanee and non-loanee farmers
The scheme is available to eligible categories of farmers, including:
- Loanee farmers
- Non-loanee farmers
- Eligible sharecroppers, subject to applicable scheme provisions
Participation in the crop insurance scheme has been made voluntary.
However, according to the information provided, an AgriStack ID is mandatory for both loanee and non-loanee farmers seeking insurance coverage under the scheme.
Farmers should ensure that their registration and identification details are correctly updated before completing the insurance process.
Farmers were given deadlines for crop changes and opting out
Farmers who needed to make changes to their insured crop were required to complete the relevant process within the prescribed timeline.
According to the scheme information provided:
- The deadline for changing the insured crop was August 29, 2026.
- Loanee farmers who wished to opt out of the scheme were required to submit a written declaration to the concerned bank or financial institution by August 24, 2026.
As these dates have already passed, farmers should check the latest official notification or contact their bank, insurance provider, CSC or agriculture department for current enrollment options and revised deadlines, if any.
Farmers’ premium capped at 5%
One of the key features of the scheme is the limit placed on the premium contribution required from farmers.
For notified commercial and horticultural crops, the farmer’s share of the insurance premium has been capped at a maximum of 5% of the sum insured, according to the scheme details provided.
If the actuarial or applicable premium exceeds the prescribed farmer contribution, the remaining eligible amount is to be supported under the applicable government funding arrangement involving the Centre and the State.
The cap is intended to make weather-based crop insurance more accessible to farmers while protecting them against potentially significant financial losses caused by adverse weather.
Where can Rajasthan farmers apply for crop insurance?
Eligible farmers can access crop insurance services through several authorised channels.
These include:
- Bank branches
- Cooperative societies
- Regional rural banks
- Common Service Centres (CSCs)
- Post offices
- Other authorised insurance channels
Before applying, farmers should confirm the following details:
- Whether their crop is notified in their district.
- Whether they meet the eligibility conditions.
- The current application or enrollment deadline.
- The applicable premium amount.
- The insurance coverage and notified weather risks.
- The documents and identification required for enrollment.
Checking these details in advance can help farmers avoid errors in crop declarations or insurance applications.
What is the Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme?
The Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS) is designed to provide financial protection against economic losses associated with adverse weather conditions and specified weather events.
The scheme is particularly relevant to commercial and horticultural crops because their productivity and quality can be significantly affected by abnormal weather patterns.
Weather events such as inadequate rainfall, excessive rainfall, unusually high or low temperatures and other notified conditions can affect agricultural output. The specific risks covered under an insurance notification may differ based on crop and location.
The objective is to reduce the financial impact of weather-related uncertainty and strengthen the economic resilience of farmers.
Why timely enrollment is important
Crop insurance can play an important role in protecting farmers from unexpected financial losses.
For growers of high-value horticultural crops, weather-related damage can have consequences beyond a reduction in total output. In some cases, a crop may suffer a decline in quality, affecting its market value and a farmer’s income.
The Agriculture Department has highlighted the importance of completing insurance procedures within the prescribed timeframe.
Farmers are therefore advised to confirm their crop notification, eligibility, premium requirements and enrollment deadlines through official channels rather than relying solely on general information.
West Bengal farmers get additional opportunity under PM Fasal Bima Yojana
In a separate development, the Centre has extended the registration and premium submission timeline for farmers in West Bengal under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) for the current Kharif season, according to the information provided.
The extension followed a request from the West Bengal government.
The state had reportedly informed the Centre that farmer registration during the Kharif season had progressed more slowly than expected.
Among the reasons cited were:
- Delays in issuing notifications
- Adverse weather conditions
- Operational challenges at the ground level
The extension is intended to give eligible farmers who could not complete the process earlier an additional opportunity to obtain crop insurance coverage.
PM Fasal Bima Yojana provides protection against crop losses
The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana was launched on February 18, 2016, with the objective of providing financial protection to farmers facing crop losses from risks such as natural calamities, pests and crop diseases.
The scheme aims to support agricultural stability by reducing the financial impact of crop failures and encouraging continued participation in farming.
The latest extension in West Bengal is expected to help improve insurance coverage during the Kharif season by giving additional time to eligible farmers who had not yet enrolled.
What about farmers with agricultural loans?
The rules and enrollment procedures for crop insurance can differ depending on whether a farmer has taken an agricultural loan and on the current scheme notification.
The source information states that farmers availing agricultural loans through the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) may be covered under the prescribed provisions without following the same separate application process applicable to non-loanee farmers.
However, insurance rules and enrollment procedures should always be verified against the latest official state, bank and scheme notification, particularly because crop insurance participation and implementation requirements can change.
Non-loanee farmers are generally required to follow the prescribed registration procedure to participate in the scheme.
Crop insurance remains important as weather risks increase
The developments in Rajasthan and West Bengal underline the growing importance of crop insurance in managing agricultural risk.
Farmers face uncertainty from a range of factors, including irregular rainfall, extreme temperatures, hailstorms, drought, floods, pests and crop diseases.
Insurance cannot prevent crop damage, but a properly implemented scheme can help reduce the financial consequences of losses.
For Rajasthan’s horticultural and commercial crop growers, the new Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme offers a potential layer of protection during Kharif 2026 and Rabi 2026-27, subject to crop notifications and eligibility rules.
For farmers in West Bengal, the extension under the PM Fasal Bima Yojana offers an additional opportunity to complete the insurance process during the current Kharif season.
In both cases, farmers should rely on official notifications and complete the required procedures within the applicable deadlines.
FAQs
Q1. When will the Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme operate in Rajasthan?
Answer: According to the information provided, the scheme is being implemented for two crop seasons, from Kharif 2026 to Rabi 2026-27.
Q2. Which crops are covered under the Rajasthan weather-based scheme?
Answer: The notified crops include a range of commercial and horticultural crops. Kharif crops listed include green chillies, okra, onion, tomato, castor, pomegranate, tinda, mehendi, orange and kinnow. The Rabi list includes crops such as amla, brinjal, fennel, cauliflower, garlic, onion, peas, tomato, potato and several fruits and vegetables. Farmers should verify district-specific notifications.
Q3. How much premium will farmers have to pay?
Answer: The farmer’s premium contribution for notified commercial and horticultural crops has been stated as a maximum of 5% of the sum insured, subject to the applicable scheme terms.
Q4. Is an AgriStack ID required?
Answer: According to the supplied scheme information, an AgriStack ID is mandatory for both loanee and non-loanee farmers seeking crop insurance under the scheme.
Q5. Where can farmers apply for insurance?
Answer: Farmers can approach authorised channels such as banks, cooperative societies, regional rural banks, CSCs, post offices and other authorised insurance providers.
Q6. Can farmers in West Bengal still apply under PM Fasal Bima Yojana?
Answer: The information provided states that the registration and premium submission deadline was extended for the current Kharif season. Farmers should confirm the latest deadline through the official agriculture department, bank or PMFBY portal.
