Telangana Farmers Grapple without Crop Insurance as El Niño Predicted

Hyderabad, April 2023: In the wake of impending El Niño weather conditions and predicted poor monsoon seasons, tens of lakh farmers in Telangana are navigating a precarious landscape without reliable crop insurance. This year marks another season where the state's active farmers—around 55-60 lakh—are bracing for what could be a disaster if their livelihoods are impacted.

State Without Crop Insurance

Since the government of Telangana withdrew from the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana in 2019 and never reintroduced it, these farmers—estimated to be 55 lakh to 60 lakh—are left vulnerable. The Congress manifesto initially promised a rejoining but failed to follow through, creating a vacuum of safety nets.

Ravi Kanneganti, from Rajyothsava Vedika, a NGO working with farmers on their issues said: "This year, there is no crop insurance in place. The government usually needs to issue a notification one month ahead of the Kharif season, and so far, we have not seen any such announcement."

With anticipated poor monsoon rains and sporadic weather patterns, rivers and reservoirs are expected to face low water levels. Groundwater availability will also be impacted, putting crop yields at risk if no safety net is in place. Crop insurance can provide the buffer these farmers desperately need.

History of Crop Insurance in Telangana

Before 2019, a considerable number of farmers enrolled in the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana. According to Central government data, nearly 39 lakh beneficiaries were registered, and 1.2 million received ₹1.9 billion in insurance benefits.

Note: In recent years, a significant impact was observed when Cyclone Montha affected around 4.47 lakh acres of Telangana's crops in October 2025, with numerous fields experiencing different levels of damage due to heavy rains and floods.

In the absence of this essential support system, farmers are left hoping that their 2023 Kharif season will prove resilient. The situation