Drought and the cry of farmers: Why crop insurance is the need of the hour

Heramba Nath

(herambanath2222@gmail.com)

The landscape of Assam, with its rolling paddy fields and fertile plains, has always been synonymous with abundance. Agriculture is not merely an economic activity here but a way of life, shaping the social and cultural fabric of the state. Generations of farmers have depended on the rhythm of the monsoons, trusting that the rain-fed fields of the Brahmaputra valley would nourish their crops and sustain their families. But that rhythm is faltering, and the fields that once stood lush and green are now cracked, dry, and barren. This year, the prolonged dry spell and drought-like conditions have brought unprecedented distress to farmers across Assam, forcing us to confront a harsh reality: the vulnerability of our agrarian economy in the face of climate change and the urgent need for systemic support mechanisms like crop insurance.

When the rains fail, the impact on farmers is devastating. Unlike other professions, agriculture is deeply tied to natural cycles, and a single season of erratic weather can wipe out months of labour and financial investment. For small and marginal farmers, who dominate Assam’s agricultural landscape, the consequences of crop failure are particularly severe. They invest their limited savings or take loans to purchase seeds, fertilisers, and equipment, hoping that a good harvest will not only feed their families but also allow them to repay debts. When the fields dry up, they are left with nothing but debt, despair, and uncertainty about the future.

In districts such as Nalbari, Barpeta, Morigaon, and parts of Darrang, this year’s drought has ruined large swathes of farmland. The transplantation of paddy seedlings, which is critically dependent on water availability, has been either delayed or abandoned entirely. The farmers who had prepared their fields in anticipation of a normal monsoon now find themselves in an agonising position—their labour wasted, their investments lost, and their hopes fading with each passing day. The grim reality is that without immediate intervention and structural reforms, this cycle of vulnerability will only deepen in the coming years.

Assam’s agriculture has always been dependent on the monsoon, but the changing climate has made this dependence a dangerous gamble. The state now faces the paradox of alternating floods and droughts, sometimes in the same year. While floods receive significant attention for their dramatic impact, droughts are often a silent crisis, less visible but equally destructive. A season of insufficient rainfall means withered crops, financial losses, and the erosion of the rural economy. Farmers who once relied on predictable rainfall now find themselves living under the constant anxiety of weather unpredictability.

Climate experts warn that Assam is increasingly vulnerable to the effects of global climate change. Rising temperatures have disrupted monsoon patterns, while deforestation and the destruction of wetlands have worsened water scarcity. Urbanisation has further disrupted natural water flow, leaving rural farmers with fewer resources to combat prolonged dry spells. It is clear that traditional methods of farming, heavily dependent on natural rainfall, are no longer sufficient to sustain the livelihoods of millions of farmers in the state.

Crop insurance, in this context, is not merely an economic measure but a moral imperative. It provides farmers with a critical safety net, ensuring that when nature turns hostile, they are not left completely defenceless. Crop insurance compensates farmers for losses due to natural calamities, enabling them to recover financially and prepare for the next season. Without such protection, the risk of falling into a debt trap is alarmingly high.

The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), introduced in 2016, was designed to offer such protection. The scheme, which provides insurance coverage at affordable premium rates, has helped farmers in many states manage the financial impact of droughts, floods, and pest infestations. However, in Assam, its reach remains limited. Awareness about the scheme is low, especially in remote villages. Many farmers find the process of enrolment complicated, while delays in claim settlements have led to a lack of trust in the system. A farmer who has already lost his crop cannot afford to wait months for compensation; timely assistance is critical to his survival and ability to continue farming.

To address this gap, the government of Assam must take decisive steps to strengthen and expand crop insurance. Awareness campaigns must be launched in rural areas to educate farmers about the benefits of insurance and guide them through the enrolment process. Village-level camps, organized with the help of agricultural officers and self-help groups, can ensure that farmers receive accurate information. Moreover, the claim settlement process must be made swift, transparent, and farmer-friendly. Technology can play a crucial role here, with satellite imagery and weather data being used to assess damage quickly and accurately.

Other states provide excellent examples of how crop insurance can be implemented effectively. Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, for instance, have seen substantial success with PMFBY due to widespread awareness and the integration of modern technology. Gujarat has pioneered weather-indexed crop insurance, which links compensation to measurable weather parameters like rainfall levels, ensuring quicker payouts and reducing disputes over damage assessment. Assam can learn from these models, adapting them to its unique climate and agricultural practices.

However, crop insurance alone cannot solve the crisis. It must be part of a larger, multi-pronged strategy aimed at making agriculture more resilient to climate shocks. One of the most urgent needs is the development of irrigation infrastructure. Currently, a vast majority of Assam’s agricultural land is rain-fed, which means farmers are at the mercy of the monsoon. By investing in canals, tube wells, and community water reservoirs, the government can ensure that farmers have access to water even during dry spells. Rainwater harvesting systems and micro-irrigation technologies, such as drip irrigation, can further optimise water usage.

Diversifying crops is another essential step. Paddy, while central to Assam’s agriculture, is highly water-intensive. Encouraging farmers to grow alternative crops such as millets, pulses, and oilseeds can reduce dependency on rainfall and enhance food security. Agricultural research institutions in the state must focus on developing high-yield, drought-resistant crop varieties that can thrive in challenging conditions.

Technology can also be a game-changer. Mobile applications that provide real-time weather forecasts, pest alerts, and farming advice can help farmers plan their activities more effectively. Satellite-based crop monitoring can aid not only in assessing damage but also in predicting areas that are vulnerable to drought, enabling preemptive action. Farmers must be trained to use these tools through workshops and village-level extension programmes.

Financial inclusion is equally vital. Many farmers still rely on informal moneylenders, who charge exorbitant interest rates and push them deeper into debt. Strengthening rural banking networks and offering easy access to low-interest agricultural loans can reduce this dependency. Linking crop insurance directly to agricultural loans can ensure that even when crops fail, farmers are not burdened with unmanageable debt.

The psychological toll of drought must also be acknowledged. For farmers, agriculture is not just an occupation but a matter of pride, identity, and emotional connection to the land. When crops fail, the loss is not merely financial—it strikes at the heart of their dignity. The constant stress of uncertain weather, mounting debt, and societal pressures often leads to depression and mental health challenges, which remain largely unaddressed. In some parts of India, this has tragically resulted in farmer suicides, and while Assam has not yet seen such extreme levels, the warning signs are there.

Migration is another consequence of prolonged drought. Unable to survive on farming alone, many young men leave their villages for cities in search of daily wage work. This not only disrupts family life but also weakens the agricultural base of rural communities. Women, children, and the elderly are often left behind to manage both household and agricultural responsibilities with limited resources. Such demographic shifts create social challenges that extend far beyond the fields.

The government’s role in addressing these challenges is paramount. Immediate relief measures, such as the distribution of free seeds and fertilizers, direct cash transfers, and temporary loan waivers, are essential to help farmers recover from the current crisis. At the same time, long-term planning must focus on building a robust agricultural support system that reduces dependency on the monsoon.

Assam’s policymakers must view agriculture as an integrated ecosystem that requires coordinated efforts across multiple sectors—from water management and research to banking and technology. Public-private partnerships can also play a role, with insurance companies, banks, and the government working together to design farmer-centric solutions.

The larger society, too, must recognise its responsibility towards farmers. Every grain of rice that reaches our tables is the result of their hard work and perseverance, often under the harshest conditions. Supporting them through fair pricing, reducing the exploitation by middlemen, and promoting local produce can make a tangible difference. Crop insurance, when combined with such systemic reforms, can restore the dignity and stability that farmers so richly deserve.

The future of Assam’s agriculture depends on how we respond to the current crisis. Droughts may become more frequent due to climate change, but with foresight and planning, their impact can be mitigated. Crop insurance is a crucial starting point, but it must be complemented by investments in infrastructure, technology, and farmer education.

As we stand at this crossroads, the cry of the farmers must not go unheard. Their struggle is not an isolated one; it is a reflection of the state’s economic health and cultural identity. To protect our farmers is to protect Assam itself—its food security, its heritage, and its future.

The time for action is now. Policies must move beyond rhetoric and deliver real, tangible support to those who need it most. The fields of Assam, though dry today, can bloom again with the right mix of compassion, innovation, and determination. But this will only happen if we, as a state and as a society, choose to stand firmly with our farmers, ensuring that they are never left alone to bear the brunt of nature’s unpredictability.