Farmers demand crop insurance amid mounting climate losses

As erratic weather patterns continue to wreak havoc on agriculture in Punjab, farmers across the state are intensifying their demand for a comprehensive crop insurance policy. With their livelihood hanging in the balance, they argue that the future of farming is increasingly unpredictable and vulnerable to climate shocks.

In 2022, a sudden spike in temperature during March—just weeks before the wheat harvest—led to grain shrivelling, causing yield losses of around 6 quintals per acre. That incident, though brief, was a stark reminder of how even minor climatic shifts can devastate the entire harvest.

This year, the situation has worsened. Torrential rain in July and August triggered two rounds of flooding across several districts, submerging fields and destroying standing paddy crop. The state government responded with a compensation announcement of Rs 20,000 per acre. But farmers say the relief is grossly inadequate. Many estimate their losses at nearly Rs 70,000 per acre, citing not just crop damage, but also the cost of delayed re-sowing, waterlogged fields, and disrupted planting cycles.

“The floods washed away the entire season. We couldn’t replant because the water didn’t drain for weeks. We need more than token compensation. We need protection,” said Gurpreet Singh, a farmer from Maachiwara.

Another farmer from Sidhwan Bet, Balbir Singh added, “We sow with hope, but nature has its own plans. My entire paddy crop is gone. I don’t know how I’ll repay loan this year. Farmers are in immediate need of crop insurance and state government should ensure the same. Giving compensation, won’t help,” he said in despair.

The BKU (Kadian) has rejected the government’s offer of Rs 20,000 per acre, calling it “a cruel joke”. The union has demanded a minimum Rs 1 lakh per acre relief and Rs 10-lakh grant for families of farmers who lost their lives during the floods.

BKU (Lakhowal) president HS Lakhowal emphasised the urgency of institutional support saying, “Crop insurance is no longer optional—it’s the need of the hour. Without it, farmers are gambling with nature every season.”

According to PAU Vice-Chancellor Dr Satbir Singh Gosal, crops on 2.7 lakh hectares has been destroyed in Punjab, with Gurdaspur being the worst-hit district.