Crop Insurance Coverage Information For Chickpeas

Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food

More Saskatchewan producers may be considering large Kabuli chickpeas as part of their 2006 seeding plans, given the attractive current market prices. Experienced producers have had success growing this management-intensive crop, but it is anticipated that additional acres will be seeded this year by less experienced growers.

If you do not have experience growing chickpeas, starting with a small number of acres is advised, with a thorough review of Saskatchewan Crop Insurance’s terms and conditions applied to chickpea insurance. Crop Insurance has consulted with industry experts to develop these terms and conditions, which will be mailed to all customers who endorsed chickpeas in 2006.

“I encourage any first-time growers, or growers who feel they are not familiar with the terms and conditions, to consult them online or contact their customer service office for a copy,” said Saskatchewan Crop Insurance agrologist Chris Stewart. “Staff can address any coverage questions you may have.”

Some important considerations that could affect your liability include the use of high quality seed, required to produce a good crop. Some relatively high quality seed was produced in 2005, but there are also significant amounts with problematic germination and disease levels. Customers must provide a sample of their seed for verification prior to the processing of any claims.

Ascochyta levels on the seed must not exceed 0.3 per cent as it is ready to go in the ground (after cleaning and application of any seed treatment).

“If requested, the lab will test your seed using a fungicide treatment to reduce disease. However, you must ensure you can achieve the same level of seed coverage and disease control with your equipment, or any custom application equipment. Keep in mind that Kabuli chickpea seed must be treated to control Pythium,” Stewart points out.

“Because of the rapid and devastating nature of Ascochyta, you must monitor the crop closely from the time of emergence. Adequate control measures must be implemented at the earliest possible detection of the disease. Multiple fungicide applications may be required.”

Chickpeas seeded more than once in four years on the same land will not be eligible for insurance.

May 21 is the final seeding date that liability that will be accepted in areas with the latest possible first fall frost. Coverage may be reduced or denied in areas where chickpeas are seeded too late to reasonably expect to mature.

Customers who are considering or have decided to stop crop monitoring or taking control measures are asked to contact their Crop Insurance customer service office to discuss the crop’s condition and all insurance implications.

To find out more about chickpea production, please visit the following links:

Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Chickpea Terms and Conditions
Chickpea in Saskatchewan (SAF)
Guidelines for Seed-Borne Diseases of Pulse Crops - 2006 (SAF)
Guidelines for Disease Scouting and Foliar Fungicide Applications for Ascochyta Blight in Chickpea in Saskatchewan (SAF)

For more information on chickpea production in Saskatchewan, call the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377. For details on chickpea coverage, contact Saskatchewan Crop Insurance at 1-888- 935-0000.

For more information, contact:

Chris Stewart, Agrologist
Saskatchewan Crop Insurance
(306) 728-7216