Financial protection for sericulture farmers against silkworm crop loss due to disease, pest attack, and natural disasters. Offered by the insurer under their rural product range — issued by IRDAI-licensed brokers. Government premium subsidy eligible.
Rural Insurance
Sericulture (Silkworm) Insurance is a specialised rural insurance product by Probitas Insurance Brokers Ltd. (the insurer) that provides financial protection to sericulture farmers against loss or destruction of their silkworm crop (eggs/dfls and larvae) due to disease, pest attack, natural disasters, and other covered perils. Practised across Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, J&K, and Assam — a single silkworm crop cycle can be devastated overnight. Probitas Insurance Brokers Pvt. Ltd. (IRDAI Lic. No. 528) is your licensed broker.
Disease-Free Layings from govt. grainage — the insurable unit
Hatchlings in first & second instar — most delicate, highest disease risk
Mature larva spins silk cocoon — optional cocoon cover available
Moth emerges from cocoon — used for next generation breeding
Eligible sericulture farmers under the National Sericulture Project (NSP), IRDP, and state government schemes can avail of a premium subsidy of 50% to 80% of the total premium — paid directly by the government to the insurer. The insured pays only the residual balance. Contact Probitas on 022 4302 0000 to check your eligibility for subsidy and enrol under the applicable government scheme.
Who Can Apply
Basis 1 (DFL basis): Number of dfls × Rate per dfl (as per the insurer schedule for the season and breed)
Example: 100 dfls × ₹180 per dfl = Sum Insured ₹18,000
Basis 2 (Cocoon basis): Projected cocoon yield (kg) × market price per kg as agreed at inception
Policy period = one crop rearing cycle (typically 25–35 days per batch)
Only dfls sourced from government-approved grainages carrying a valid disease-free certificate are eligible for insurance cover. Dfls from unapproved or uncertified sources void the policy. Always retain the DFL purchase receipt from the grainage — required for claim settlement.
Plan Comparison
Compare coverage across Crop Only, Crop + Cocoon, and Government Subsidised plan configurations under the insurer Sericulture Insurance.
| Points of Difference | Crop Only | Crop + Cocoon | Govt. Subsidised |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silkworm Disease Loss (Pebrine, Muscardine, Flacherie, Grasserie) | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes |
| Pest Infestation — certified crop failure | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes |
| Flood, Inundation, Cyclone, Hailstorm | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes |
| Lightning and Fire | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes |
| Earthquake and Landslide | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes |
| Accidental damage to rearing house causing crop loss | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes |
| Harvested Cocoon — Fire / Flood / Storm | ✘ No | ✔ Yes | ✘ No* |
| Cocoon Theft (with Police FIR) | ✘ No | ✔ Yes | ✘ No* |
| Cocoon Transit Damage to Market | ✘ No | ✔ Yes | ✘ No* |
| Government Premium Subsidy (50%–80%) | ✘ No | ✘ No | ✔ Yes |
| Nil / Reduced Deductible | ✘ No | ✘ No | ✔ Eligible |
| Claim Basis | dfls × rate × % loss | dfls + cocoon kg × rate | dfls × rate × % loss |
| Standard Deductible | 5%–10% of SI | 5%–10% of SI | Nil or Reduced |
| Premium Level | Base | Base + Add-On | Subsidised (pay 20%–50%) |
* Cocoon cover under govt. subsidised schemes subject to state scheme design — confirm with Probitas at 022 4302 0000.
Coverage Under Sericulture Insurance
Coverage spans silkworm crop (dfls and larvae), optional cocoon cover, and government subsidised scheme inclusion. All disease-related claims require Sericulture Department certification.
If you observe disease symptoms or crop failure, call Probitas on 022 4302 0000 immediately — within 48 hours of first signs. Do NOT destroy, remove, or disturb the affected crop before the Sericulture Department inspector visits and certifies the loss. Disposing of the affected crop before inspection automatically voids your claim.
Unlike other insurance types, all disease and pest-related crop loss claims under this policy require formal certification by the authorised Sericulture Department inspector — confirming the cause of loss, percentage of crop affected, and condition of the rearing house and mulberry garden. Self-reported or unverified losses are not accepted. The insurer may additionally appoint their own loss assessor to verify the inspector's findings.
How Claims Are Calculated
Claim = (No. of dfls insured) × (Rate per dfl per the insurer schedule) × (% crop loss certified by Sericulture Dept.) − Deductible
The percentage crop loss is determined exclusively by the authorised Sericulture Department inspector — self-assessment is not accepted.
Claim = (Cocoon loss in kg) × (Market price per kg at time of loss, as agreed at inception) × − Deductible
Market price is agreed at policy inception to avoid disputes at claim time.
Standard deductible: 5%–10% of the sum insured per crop cycle (exact % as per policy schedule issued at inception). For government / IRDP scheme beneficiaries, the deductible may be nil or significantly reduced as per the scheme design.
If the number of dfls actually reared exceeds the number declared and insured at inception, the condition of average (proportional reduction) applies — the claim is reduced in proportion to the under-declaration. Always insure 100% of the actual dfls being reared.
| Parameter | Disease Loss — 100% Crop (Flacherie) | Partial Loss — 60% Crop (Muscardine) | Natural Disaster — 100% (Flood) |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. of dfls Insured | 100 dfls | 100 dfls | 100 dfls |
| Rate per dfl (the insurer Schedule) | ₹ 180 per dfl | ₹ 180 per dfl | ₹ 180 per dfl |
| Sum Insured | ₹ 18,000 | ₹ 18,000 | ₹ 18,000 |
| % Crop Loss Certified by Dept. | 100% | 60% | 100% |
| Gross Claim (SI × % loss) | ₹ 18,000 | ₹ 10,800 | ₹ 18,000 |
| Deductible (5% of SI) | ₹ 900 | ₹ 540 | ₹ 900 |
| Claim Payable | ₹ 17,100 | ₹ 10,260 | ₹ 17,100 |
* Illustrative only. Actual rate per dfl, deductible %, and settlement depend on the insurer schedule for the season, state, and breed. Figures shown for a 100-dfl crop reared at ₹180/dfl rate (not guaranteed rates). All claims subject to Sericulture Department certification of % crop loss.
Policy Conditions
The following 12 conditions are binding under the the insurer Sericulture (Silkworm) Insurance Policy. Non-compliance may result in claim rejection or policy voiding.
Declaration at Inception: Number of dfls, breed (bivoltine / multivoltine), rearing season, rearing house address, and area under mulberry cultivation must be accurately declared.
Certified DFLs Only: Only dfls sourced from government-approved grainages carrying a disease-free certificate are eligible. Uncertified dfls void the policy entirely.
Notification of Loss: Farmer must notify Probitas (022 4302 0000) and the insurer within 48 hours of first observing crop failure symptoms. Delayed notification may prejudice claims.
Sericulture Dept. Inspection: All crop loss claims require certification by the authorised Sericulture Department inspector. Farmer must cooperate with and enable timely inspection — delays void claims.
Do Not Destroy the Crop: The affected silkworm crop must NOT be destroyed, removed, or disturbed before the inspector visits and certifies the loss. Pre-inspection disposal voids the claim.
Rearing Practices: Insured must follow recommended practices prescribed by the State Sericulture Department (disinfection, temperature, humidity, feeding). Non-compliance may reduce or void claims.
Policy Period = Rearing Period: Cover is valid only during the declared rearing cycle. Extension beyond the policy term requires prior endorsement and additional premium payment.
Multiple Crops / Fresh Proposal: Each crop cycle (chawki/batch) requires a separate policy. Automatic renewal or continuation across batches is not available — fresh proposal for each batch.
Government Subsidy Policies: For subsidised policies, the insured's balance premium must be paid before cover commences. Non-payment of balance premium voids cover for that crop cycle.
Rearing Location Change: Any change in rearing house location during the policy period must be notified immediately to the insurer. Failure to notify voids cover for that batch.
Subrogation: On settlement of any claim, all rights of recovery against any third party responsible for the loss automatically transfer to the insurer.
Record Keeping: Insured must maintain rearing registers, DFL purchase receipts, and mulberry garden records — and produce them on demand. Absence of records may prejudice claim settlement.
How to File a Claim
Sericulture claims have unique requirements — the Sericulture Department inspector must certify the loss. Follow these four steps carefully. Probitas assists at every stage — call 022 4302 0000.
Call Probitas (022 4302 0000) and the insurer immediately upon observing crop failure — within 48 hours of first signs of disease, pest, or disaster damage. Do NOT destroy the crop before inspection.
The authorised Sericulture Department inspector visits and certifies: % crop loss, cause of loss, and condition of rearing house / mulberry garden. Insurer may also appoint their own loss assessor to verify.
Submit: Claim Form, Policy document, Sericulture Dept. loss certification, DFL purchase receipt (disease-free cert.), rearing register, photographs of affected crop / rearing house, FIR copy (if theft), bank details.
Insurer verifies documents and Sericulture Dept. certification. Settled as: (No. of dfls × Rate per dfl × % loss) − Deductible. Cocoon: (kg lost × market rate) − deductible. Payment by NEFT within 30 days of document completeness.
Common Questions about Sericulture Insurance
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