Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is a crop insurance scheme launched by the Government of India in 2016. The scheme aims to provide financial support to farmers suffering crop loss/damage due to unforeseen events such as natural calamities, pests, and diseases. It promotes sustainable agriculture by encouraging farmers to adopt innovative practices and ensuring their income security.
Ministry
Ministry of Agriculture
Scheme Details
Overview
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is a crop insurance scheme launched by the Government of India in 2016. The scheme aims to provide financial support to farmers suffering crop loss/damage due to unforeseen events such as natural calamities, pests, and diseases. It promotes sustainable agriculture by encouraging farmers to adopt innovative practices and ensuring their income security.
Benefits
- Provides insurance coverage and financial support to farmers in the event of crop failure.
- Encourages adoption of innovative and modern agricultural practices.
- Ensures stability in farmer income by mitigating the risk of crop loss.
- Low premium rates: 2% for Kharif crops, 1.5% for Rabi crops, and 5% for commercial/horticultural crops.
- Covers pre-sowing to post-harvest losses, including localized calamities and crop cutting experiments.
Eligibility Criteria
- All farmers (including sharecroppers and tenant farmers) growing notified crops in notified areas are eligible.
- Should have insurable interest in the notified crops.
- Enrolment is compulsory for loanee farmers (those who have taken agricultural loans).
- Non-loanee farmers can enroll voluntarily through CSCs or online portals.
Application Process
Steps to Apply:
- Visit the official PMFBY website: https://pmfby.gov.in.
- Click on 'Farmer Corner' and select 'Apply for Insurance'.
- Enter Aadhaar number and verify with OTP.
- Fill in crop, land, and personal details as required.
- Upload necessary documents and submit the application.
- Track application status through the portal using your farmer ID.
Application Modes:
- Online via PMFBY portal: https://pmfby.gov.in
- Offline via banks, Common Service Centres (CSCs), and insurance agents
Required Documents
- Aadhaar Card
- Land ownership or tenancy agreement
- Sowing certificate or crop declaration
- Bank passbook or account details
- Loan document (for loanee farmers)
Important Links
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PMFBY applicable for all crops?
No, it covers only notified crops in notified areas. Each season, the government releases a list of eligible crops.
What happens if a farmer misses the enrollment deadline?
The farmer will not be covered under the scheme for that season. Enrollment deadlines are usually tied to crop seasons.
Are post-harvest losses covered?
Yes, the scheme covers post-harvest losses due to specified weather events like cyclones and unseasonal rains.
Example Case
Example: Cyclone-hit Paddy Farmer in Odisha
Sukant, a paddy farmer from Balasore, Odisha, lost nearly 70% of his crop due to Cyclone Yaas. Since he had enrolled under PMFBY for Kharif season, he received a claim settlement of ₹18,400 credited directly to his bank account within 60 days of the crop damage assessment.
Important Notes
- States must notify crops and areas for each season (Kharif/Rabi).
- The scheme is implemented through empaneled insurance companies selected by state governments.
- Farmers should keep a record of sowing activity and local crop damage for claim processing.
Last Updated
Last Updated: 2025-07-27