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Agriculture,Rural & Environment; Banking,Financial Services and Insurance

Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna (PMFBY)

Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana was launched in 2016 with the aim to support farmers by providing an affordable comprehensive risk cover for crops.

Authority

Central

Region

Central Government

Status

Verified 2026

Updated

March 2026

What you get

- Affordable Premiums: The maximum premium payable by the farmer will be 2% for the Kharif food and oilseed crops. For rabi food and oilseeds crop, it is 1.5% and for yearly commercial or horticultural crops it will be 5%. The remaining premium is subsidized by the government. | - For the farmers in North-Eastern States, Jammu, Kashmir, and Himachal Pradesh, the government also pays the entire premium. | - Comprehensive Coverage: The scheme covers natural disasters (droughts, floods), pests, and diseases. Post-harvest losses due to local risks like hailstorms and landslides are also included.- Timely Compensation: PMFBY aims to process claims within two months of the harvest to ensure that farmers get the compensation quickly, preventing them from falling into debt traps.- Technology-Driven Implementation: PMFBY integrates advanced technologies like satellite imaging, drones, and mobile apps for precise estimation of crop loss, ensuring accurate claim settlements. | RISKS COVERED | - Yield Losses (Standing Crops): The Government provides this insurance coverage for yield losses that fall under the non-preventable risks, such as Natural Fire and Lightning: Storm, Hailstorm, Tornado etc.: Flood, Inundation and Landslide; Pests/ Diseases, etc.; Drought etc.- Prevented Sowing: Cases may arise where most of the farmers (insured )of notified areas may want to plant or sow. In such cases, they have to bear the expenditure for that cause and are restricted from planting or sowing insured crops because of unfavourable weather conditions. These farmers will then become eligible for the indemnity claims of up to a maximum of 25% of the sum insured.- Post-harvest Losses: The Government provides for post-harvest losses on an individual farm basis. The Government offers coverage of up to 14 days (maximum) from harvesting for crops that are stored in “cut and spread” condition. It means that the Government covers farmers who have put the crops to become sun-baked in the field after harvesting that have been destroyed due to cyclone or cyclonic rains occurred across the country.- Localised Calamities: The Government provides for localised calamities on an individual farm basis. Risks such as loss or damage arising from identified localised hazards, such as hailstorms, landslides, and inundation impacting separated farmlands in the notified area comes under this coverage.

Who can apply

All farmers, including tenant farmers and sharecroppers growing notified crops in notified areas.; Farmers must have an insurable interest in the insured crops.; Farmers must possess a valid and authenticated land ownership certificate or a valid land tenure agreement.; The farmer must be a cultivator or sharecropper on the insured land.; The farmer must apply for insurance coverage within the prescribed time frame, usually within 2 weeks of the start of the sowing season.; Farmers must not have received compensation for the same crop loss from any other medium or source.

Required Paperwork

  • Aadhaar Card
  • PAN Card
  • Income Certificate
  • Residence Proof (Domicile)

Common Questions

I'm a tenant farmer without formal land ownership documents. Can I still apply for crop insurance under PMFBY if I can prove I cultivate the land?

Yes, tenant farmers and sharecroppers can apply with a valid land tenure agreement. You must provide evidence of your cultivation rights through state-recognized documents or agreements.

My crops were damaged by unseasonal rains after harvesting while drying in the field. Does PMFBY cover such losses?

Coverage is available for up to 14 days post-harvest for crops kept in "cut & spread" condition in the field, specifically for damage from cyclonic/unseasonal rains. You must report the damage immediately.

What is the exact premium rate for Kharif paddy, and how is the government subsidy calculated?

Farmers pay 2% of the sum insured for Kharif food crops. The difference between the actuarial premium rate and farmer's share is jointly subsidized by Central and State governments equally.

If a drought prevents me from sowing crops despite preparation, what percentage of compensation can I claim?

You can claim up to 25% of the sum insured under prevented sowing coverage, provided the majority of farmers in your notified area were also prevented from sowing due to adverse conditions.

I farm in Himachal Pradesh. Do I need to pay any premium for my apple crop under PMFBY?

No, farmers in Himachal Pradesh, along with other North-Eastern states and Jammu & Kashmir, receive 100% premium subsidy from the government for all notified crops.

Can I claim compensation if my entire village faced crop damage from a landslide, but neighboring villages were unaffected?

Yes, PMFBY covers localized calamities like landslides on an individual farm basis, even if the damage is isolated to specific areas within the notified region.

How long after reporting crop damage should I expect to receive the claim amount?

PMFBY aims to process and settle claims within two months of harvest, provided all documentation is complete and damage assessment is finalized.

If I've taken a bank loan for farming, do I need to separately apply for PMFBY, or is it automatic?

For loanee farmers, coverage is compulsory but not automatic. You must ensure your bank has processed your PMFBY enrollment within the specified timeframe.

What happens if I'm unable to pay the premium online due to technical issues on the last date?

You can visit a nearby CSC or bank branch to submit your premium payment. Keep proof of your online payment attempt for any deadline-related disputes.

If I've already registered on the PMFBY portal last season, do I need to create a new registration for this season?

No, use your existing registration. However, you must submit a fresh application and premium payment for each season you want coverage.

I discovered pest damage in my field but couldn't document it immediately due to hospitalization. Will my claim be rejected?

Report the damage as soon as possible with medical documentation of your hospitalization. Each case is evaluated based on provided evidence and circumstances.

How can I ensure my claim isn't rejected due to wrong information if the CSC operator fills my form?

Always verify the entered details before final submission. Request a printed copy of your application form and keep the acknowledgment receipt with the application number.

If my crop loss assessment shows 60% damage but I'm not satisfied with the evaluation, what's the grievance process?

File an appeal through the PMFBY portal or submit a written complaint to your district agriculture officer within 7 days of assessment. Include evidence supporting your claim.

Does PMFBY cover damage from wild animals or fire caused by neighboring fields?

Natural fire is covered, but damage from wild animals isn't. For fire spreading from neighboring fields, you must provide evidence that it wasn't due to negligence.