Wild-rice producers who want insurance this year will be paying significantly more in premiums.

For instance, in 2012 producers in the western region paid 33 cents per acre for 50 per cent coverage and that will go up to 42 cents per acre this year

Harvesters in the east will also pay slightly more at 56 cents per acre and harvesters in the central region will pay twice that at $1.12 per acre.

Last year producers in the central region paid $1.06 per acre.

Premiums have been set at $1.18 per acre.

Rae Groeneveld works for Saskatchewan Agriculture.

He did not want to be recorded but says the reason for the difference in price is due to the high number of claims that were recorded in the central region from 2009 to 2011.

Producers have until Mar. 31 to decide whether or not they want the coverage.

Sixty-three harvesters registered for insurance last year.

That’s down from 70 harvesters in 2011.