Agriculture officers said it was very likely that this deadline would be extended. “We will send the proposal for extending of the deadline. There may be an increase in the number of insurance applicants,” said a senior agriculture officer.

On the flip side, agriculture officers also caution that if the rains are delayed for a longer duration, then farmers may abandon all hopes of a kharif crop and opt out of insurance altogether. While the premiums for government insurance schemes will not be changed, the premiums for commercial insurance schemes will go up as sowing is delayed.

“The more rains are delayed, the premiums are likely to increase for commercial insurance schemes,” said Mishra. However, in Punjab and Haryana, most farmers go for commercial insurance, he added.