Hans News Service Vijayawada

Anantapur, Kurnool and Sri Sathya Sai districts have emerged as the top three districts in the state in terms of area covered under crop insurance during Kharif 2026, even as the State government extended the deadline for paddy crop insurance enrolment to August 31.

Director of agriculture Dr Manazir Jeelani Samoon appealed to all paddy farmers to utilise the extended deadline and ensure 100% insurance coverage. The extension was proactively sought by the State government and received a positive response from the Centre in the interest of farmers.

He said Andhra Pradesh has secured fifth position nationally in terms of crop insurance enrolment, reflecting the improved response from farmers this year. He noted that both the number of applications and the area covered under crop insurance schemes had increased substantially compared with the previous year. According to the latest data as of 2 pm on Thursday, a total of 16.15 lakh hectares has been covered under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and the Restructured Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS) across the State.

Anantapur tops the list with 3,66,802 hectares, comprising 2,03,062 hectares under PMFBY and 1,63,740 hectares under RWBCIS. Kurnool stands second with 3,31,059 hectares, including 1,70,263 hectares under PMFBY and 1,60,796 hectares under RWBCIS. Sri Sathya Sai is third with 2,31,082 hectares, of which 58,845 hectares is under PMFBY and 1,72,237 hectares under RWBCIS. Among other districts, Nandyal recorded 99,702 hectares, followed by Prakasam with 84,544 hectares and YSR district with 83,548 hectares. Srikakulam covered 74,123 hectares, while Palnadu and Vizianagaram recorded 56,018 and 32,805 hectares respectively.

In the coastal belt, West Godavari recorded 32,533 hectares, Konaseema 31,685 hectares, Krishna 29,078 hectares and NTR district 28,324 hectares. Anakapalli covered 35,411 hectares, while Annamayya recorded 21,309 hectares.

Agriculture director Dr Samoon said relatively lower coverage was recorded in districts such as Kakinada (17,261 hectares), Guntur (9,736), Eluru (9,355), Bapatla (9,320), East Godavari (9,032), Vizianagaram (32,805), Manyam (7,686), Chittoor (4,726), ASR (4,602), Tirupati (3,990) and SPSR Nellore (908). Visakhapatnam recorded the lowest coverage at 700 hectares, he added.

Dr Samoon directed agriculture department field staff to intensify awareness campaigns and work towards achieving 100 per cent coverage. He advised farmers to contact their local Agriculture Officers or concerned insurance companies regarding district-specific enrolment deadlines for crops other than paddy.