(NAFB) – The number of agricultural producers who buy crop insurance for their specialty or organic crops continues to climb.

USDA attributes that to its work with producers and agricultural groups in recent years to create new crop insurance options. USDA’s Risk Management Agency recently released reports on specialty crops, organic crops, local food production, and greenhouse production, which highlighted insurance option improvements for specialty crops like fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, horticulture crops, and organic crops. Some improvements were put in place by the 2018 Farm Bill, while others resulted from producer feedback and research.

“We recognize the necessity to adapt insurance options to meet agricultural producers’ needs,” says RMA Acting Administrator Richard Flournoy.

Between 1990 and 2020, liabilities for insured specialty crops rose from $1 billion to over $20 billion. From 2010 to 2020, liabilities for insured organic crops rose from $207 million to more than $1.7 billion, and the number of policies more than doubled. RMA and third-party groups also continue to refine existing policies and create new ones when there are gaps in coverage.

Improvements include new options for California Citrus Trees, Florida Citrus, Hurricane Insurance Protection, and expanded crop insurance options for hemp.