Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) Updates
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare announced the inclusion of crop loss coverage due to wild animal attacks and paddy inundation under PMFBY from the Kharif season 2026.
Key Changes in Coverage
- Wild Animal Attacks:
- Recognized as the fifth add-on cover under the localised risk category.
- States will notify responsible wild animals and identify vulnerable districts using historical data.
- Farmers must report losses within 72 hours through a crop insurance app with geotagged photographs.
- Paddy Inundation:
- Reintroduced as a localised calamity cover to benefit farmers in flood-prone and coastal areas.
- Initially removed in 2018 due to concerns over moral hazard and assessment challenges.
Implementation
The new modalities align with PMFBY Operational Guidelines, ensuring a scientific, transparent, and feasible framework for nationwide implementation.
Rationale and Impact
- Addresses longstanding demands from states for improved protection against localised and severe crop damage.
- Expected to benefit farmers in regions with high human-wildlife conflict and frequent paddy inundation, including several North-Eastern and Himalayan states.
Background of PMFBY
Launched in Kharif 2016, PMFBY aims to support agriculture by providing affordable crop insurance covering all non-preventable natural risks from pre-sowing to post-harvest stages.
- Since inception, it has processed over 36 crore farmer applications and disbursed claims worth Rs 1.82 lakh crore.
Specific Regional Impacts
- States like Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Kerala reported crop damage due to wild animals like Nilgai, wild boars, and monkeys.
- Inclusion of wild animal attacks and paddy inundation is a response to these specific regional challenges.
