General

The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation in Sri Lanka has declared February 2026 as Agricultural Insurance Month for farmers. This initiative allows farmers to get insurance for all types of crops, including rice, beans, potatoes, big onions, soybeans, and chilies. The insurance will cover losses from rain, floods, wild elephants, pests, fire, diseases, and other natural disasters. Farmers can access these insurance plans by paying a small premium, which will help protect them financially against crop losses due to natural events. For crops like coffee, mung beans, ginger, chilies, cashew nuts, sesame, and corn, the insurance premium is set at 7% of the insured amount, which is Rs. 60,000 for each acre. The same 7% premium applies to other crops, including manioc, beetroot, pumpkin, carrot, leeks, beans, bitter gourd, capsicum, tomato, and long beans, ensuring full insurance coverage. Moreover, special insurance options have been created for ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, black pepper, pineapple, papaya, and banana crops, allowing farmers to protect against potential losses at attractive premium rates. The Ministry of Agriculture is encouraging farmers to take advantage of this insurance to shield their crops from unexpected risks.