Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is the national crop insurance scheme — farmers pay a small fixed premium (2% for kharif, 1.5% for rabi, 5% for commercial/horticulture crops) and the government pays the rest, however high the actuarial rate. Claims cover losses from drought, flood, pests, disease, hailstorm and more.
Key facts
| Farmer premium | 2% (kharif) / 1.5% (rabi) / 5% (commercial & horticultural) |
| Coverage | Sowing failure, standing-crop losses, post-harvest losses (14 days), localised calamities |
| Who | All farmers incl. sharecroppers/tenants with insurable interest; voluntary for loanee farmers too |
| Enrolment | Through banks (with crop loans), CSCs, or pmfby.gov.in |
| Claim basis | Area-yield shortfall (crop-cutting experiments) + individual assessment for localised losses |
What is covered
- Prevented sowing: up to 25% of sum insured if sowing fails due to weather
- Standing crop: drought, dry spells, flood, inundation, pests & diseases, landslides, storms, hail, fire from natural causes
- Post-harvest: cyclone/unseasonal rain damage to cut & spread crops for up to 14 days
- Localised calamities: hailstorm, landslide, inundation affecting individual farms — assessed individually
How to enrol
- Loanee farmers: can opt in through the bank that gave the crop loan (now voluntary — you may also opt out in writing before the cutoff)
- Non-loanee farmers: enrol at a CSC or on pmfby.gov.in with Aadhaar, bank details, land records and sowing declaration
- Enrol before the seasonal cutoff (typically 31 July for kharif, 31 December for rabi — dates vary by state/crop)
- Keep the premium receipt/policy number for claims
Use the official portal or CSC — verify crop, area and bank details carefully.
How to claim for localised loss
- Report crop loss within 72 hours — via the Crop Insurance app, the toll-free number 14447, your insurer, bank or agriculture office
- Give your policy/Aadhaar details, the cause and extent of damage
- The insurer surveys the field and settles the assessed loss to your bank account
Frequently asked questions
Why did my neighbour get a claim and I did not?
Area-based claims depend on your insurance unit (village/gram panchayat) yield data, your crop as declared, and whether your premium was actually remitted — verify your policy status on the portal.
Are tenant farmers eligible?
Yes, where states permit, with proof of insurable interest (cultivation agreement). Declare the correct land and crop at enrolment.
Is PMFBY mandatory with a crop loan?
No — enrolment is voluntary; loanee farmers are covered by default in participating states unless they opt out before the deadline.
Related schemes
Disclaimer: PMYojnaUpdates.com is an independent information portal, not affiliated with any government department. Always verify details on the official site pmfby.gov.in before applying.