The government revised PMFBY to enhance crop insurance, including coverage for wild animal attacks, reinstating paddy inundation support, and emphasizing timely farmer reporting and state identification of risks.
Why in the News?
The Government has revised framework for Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY).
Core Objectives of the Scheme
Salient Features of the Scheme
To provide financial assistance and support to farmers suffering from crop damage or loss arising out of unforeseen events.
To stabilise the income of farmers and ensure continuance in farming.
To encourage the farmers to adopt modern and innovative agricultural practices.
To ensure crop diversification.
Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare.
Launch: 2016
Type: Central Sector Scheme
Implementing Agency: Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) and the concerned State.
Eligibility: All farmers, including tenant farmers and sharecroppers growing notified crops in notified areas.
Aim: Strengthening protection for farmers against sudden, localised, and severe crop damage.
Premium Payable by Farmers:
Kharif crops: 2% of sum insured.
Rabi crops: 1.5% of sum insured.
Commercial and horticultural crops: 5% of sum insured.
Difference between premium and the rate of Insurance charges payable by farmers is provided as subsidy and shared equally by the Centre and State.
Yield Losses (Standing Crops): Due to natural fire, storms, cyclones, floods, drought, pests & diseases.
Prevented sowing/ planting/ germination risk due to deficit rainfall conditions.
Post-Harvest Losses: Covers up to 14 days after harvesting for crops left in cut and spread condition against cyclonic/unseasonal rains.
Localized Calamities: Covers hailstorms, landslides, and inundation affecting specific farms.
Exclusions: Losses arising out of war and nuclear risks, malicious damage and other preventable risks.
Key Changes Introduced (to be effective from Kharif 2026)
New Coverage Added: Crop loss due to wild animal attacks is included as the 5th add-on cover under localised risks category.
Farmers suffered increasing crop losses due to attacks by wild animals such as elephants, wild boars, nilgai, deer, and monkeys, particularly common in regions situated near forests, wildlife corridors, and hilly terrains.
Reintroduced Protection: Paddy inundation restored as a localised calamity cover (removed in 2018).
State-Level Identification: States will notify the list of wild animals responsible for crop damage and identify vulnerable districts or insurance units based on historical data.
Mandatory Reporting: Farmers must report losses within 72 hours via the Crop Insurance App by uploading geo-tagged photographs.
