TOPEKA, Kan., Nov. 30, 2020 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) today announced an expansion of Hybrid Seed Rice (HSR) crop insurance coverage by allowing written agreements for certain counties and parishes in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Texas, starting with the 2021 crop year.

“This expansion of hybrid seed rice crop insurance will open up the plan to more producers in our region,” said Collin Olsen, Director of RMA’s regional office in Topeka. “Producers interested in this insurance should contact their local crop insurance agent to see if they can take advantage of this expansion.”

Additional information on this plan can be found using RMA’s Actuarial Information Browser.

RMA is authorizing additional flexibilities due to coronavirus while continuing to support producers, working through Approved Insurance Providers (AIPs) to deliver services, including processing policies, claims and agreements. RMA staff are working with AIPs and other customers by phone, mail and electronically to continue supporting crop insurance coverage for producers. Farmers with crop insurance questions or needs should continue to contact their insurance agents about conducting business remotely (by telephone or email). More information can be found at farmers.gov/coronavirus.

Crop insurance is sold and delivered solely through private insurance agents. A list of insurance agents is available online using the RMA Agent Locator. Producers can use the RMA Cost Estimator to get a premium amount estimate of their insurance needs online. Learn more about crop insurance and the modern farm safety net at rma.usda.gov.

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