In a country like India, where farming is largely dependent on weather and nature, crop failure due to drought, floods, pests, or disease can severely impact a farmer’s livelihood. To protect farmers from such uncertainties, the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) was launched by the Government of India in 2016.
This crop insurance scheme is designed to provide financial support to farmers in case of crop damage and encourage them to continue farming without fear of complete loss.
Objectives of PMFBY
- To provide insurance coverage and financial support in the event of crop failure.
- To stabilize the income of farmers during adverse conditions.
- To encourage farmers to adopt modern agricultural practices.
- To ensure the flow of credit to the agriculture sector.
Who Can Enroll?
- All farmers growing notified crops in notified areas are eligible.
- Enrollment is mandatory for loanee farmers (those who have taken agricultural loans).
- Voluntary for non-loanee farmers.
Premium Rates for Farmers
One of the biggest benefits of PMFBY is the low premium rates:
- 2% for Kharif crops
- 1.5% for Rabi crops
- 5% for Commercial and Horticultural crops
The remaining premium is shared between the central and state governments, making it affordable for farmers.
What’s Covered?
PMFBY covers various types of crop loss:
- Pre-sowing to post-harvest losses due to natural calamities like drought, flood, hailstorm, cyclone, etc.
- Localized calamities such as landslides or hailstorms affecting a specific field.
- Post-harvest losses due to cyclonic rain and unseasonal rainfall.
- Prevented sowing/planting due to adverse weather conditions.
How to Apply?
Farmers can enroll through:
- Nearest bank branches
- Common Service Centres (CSCs)
- Online via the official PMFBY portal: https://pmfby.gov.in
Required documents:
- Aadhaar card
- Land ownership or lease document
- Bank account details
- Sowing proof (for non-loanee farmers)
Enrollment is seasonal, so it’s important to apply before the cut-off dates for Kharif (around July) and Rabi (around December).
How is Compensation Paid?
- Crop loss is assessed using remote sensing technology, drones, and crop-cutting experiments (CCE).
- After verification, compensation is directly credited to the farmer’s bank account via DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer).
Conclusion
The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana is a valuable support system for farmers, protecting them against the unpredictability of nature and market. It ensures that even in times of adversity, farmers are not left alone.
By enrolling in PMFBY, farmers can secure not just their crops, but also their future.
