The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) was launched in 2016 to provide crop insurance to farmers at low premium. It covers losses due to natural calamities, pests and diseases. Here is what farmers should know about PM Fasal Bima Yojana for rabi crops.
Premium rates
Farmers pay only a small share of the premium. The rest is paid by the Centre and states.
- Rabi food crops and oilseeds: 1.5 percent of the sum insured.
- Kharif food crops and oilseeds: 2 percent.
- Annual commercial and horticultural crops: 5 percent.
What is covered
- Prevented sowing due to deficit rain or adverse weather.
- Standing crop loss from drought, flood, pests, diseases, landslides, hailstorm and similar risks.
- Post harvest losses from cyclone, cyclonic rain and unseasonal rain for crops kept in the field to dry, up to 14 days after harvest.
- Localised calamities such as hailstorm, landslide, inundation, cloudburst and natural fire, assessed for individual farms.
Who can enrol
All farmers, including sharecroppers and tenant farmers growing notified crops in notified areas, can enrol. Since 2020, enrolment is voluntary for all farmers, including those with crop loans. Loanee farmers who do not want coverage must inform their bank before the cut off date.
Also Read: How MSP Is Fixed in India: Role of CACP, the 1.5 Times Cost Formula and Rabi Crops Covered | eNAM Registration for Farmers: How to Sell Crops Online on the National Agriculture Market
How to enrol
- Visit pmfby.gov.in or use the Crop Insurance app.
- Choose the farmer corner and register.
- Enter your land details, crop and bank account.
- Pay the premium online.
You can also enrol through your bank, a Common Service Centre, an authorised insurance agent or the insurance company. The cut off dates for rabi enrolment are notified by each state, often in December. Check your state’s notification.
Documents
- Aadhaar
- Land records or a sowing certificate
- Tenancy agreement for tenant farmers, as allowed by the state
- Bank passbook
How to claim for localised loss
Report crop loss within 72 hours to the insurance company, bank, agriculture department or through the Crop Insurance app. The National helpline number given on the portal can also be used. Officials then assess the damage.
Area based claims
For widespread losses, claims are calculated using crop cutting experiments and yield data for the notified area. Payments are made directly to bank accounts.
Advice for farmers
Before sowing, selling or storing your crop, check the latest information with your district agriculture department, Krishi Vigyan Kendra or mandi committee.
Bottom line
At 1.5 percent premium for rabi crops, PMFBY is affordable protection. Enrol before your state’s cut off date and report any localised loss within 72 hours.
Source / स्रोत: PM Fasal Bima Yojana portal, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
