What is PM Fasal Bima Yojana?
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is India’s flagship crop insurance scheme, launched in January 2016 replacing older schemes like NAIS and MNAIS. It offers simpler, more affordable, and more comprehensive coverage to farmers across India.
The government (centre + state) pays the majority of the insurance premium. Farmers pay only a small fraction — as low as 1.5% for Rabi crops.
✓ PMFBY is now voluntary for all farmers including KCC crop loan holders since Kharif 2020. Loanee farmers are auto-enrolled but can opt out before the season deadline by informing their bank.
Farmer’s Premium — What You Pay
- 🌿 Kharif crops (rice, cotton, maize, bajra, groundnut): 2% of sum insured
- 🌿 Rabi crops (wheat, barley, mustard, gram, lentil): 1.5% of sum insured
- 🌽 Horticultural / commercial crops: 5% of sum insured
The remaining premium — often 70 to 90% of the actual premium — is shared equally between the central and state governments. You pay the least; the government bears the most.
What Risks Are Covered?
- Drought, dry spells, and water stress
- Flood, inundation, and waterlogging
- Pests and diseases during growing season
- Landslides and soil erosion
- Natural fire and lightning
- Cyclone, hailstorm, and unseasonal rainfall
- Post-harvest losses — up to 14 days after cutting
- Prevented sowing due to adverse weather before planting
❌ Not covered: Losses due to war, nuclear risk, malicious damage, or wilful negligence. Only notified crops in notified areas are covered — check with your local agriculture office which crops are notified in your district.
Who is Eligible?
- Owner-farmer cultivating notified crops in notified areas
- Tenant farmers and sharecroppers — with tenancy agreement or land records
- KCC crop loan holders — auto-enrolled but can opt out before the season deadline
Enrolment Deadlines — Do Not Miss These
- 🌾 Kharif season: Last date to enrol is typically 31 July
- ❄ Rabi season: Last date to enrol is typically 31 December
⚠ Missing the enrolment deadline means you cannot get crop insurance for that entire season. Enrol early at your KCC bank branch, any CSC, or online at pmfby.gov.in.
How to Enrol
- Visit your KCC bank, CSC, or agriculture department office
Loanee farmers are auto-enrolled through their KCC bank. Non-loanee farmers must apply manually at a bank branch, Common Service Centre, or the PMFBY portal. - Submit your land and crop details
Mention the crop name, area sown in hectares, and land survey number. Attach Aadhaar, land records, and bank details. - Pay your premium share
The premium is deducted from your bank account or paid at the counter. You will receive a policy receipt as confirmation. - Track status online
Visit pmfby.gov.in or use the Fasal Bima app to check enrolment status, coverage details, and claim status at any time.
Documents Required
How to File a Crop Loss Claim
You must report within 72 hours of crop damage. Do all three steps below:
- Call the Crop Insurance Helpline: 14447
Report your crop loss with your name, survey number, village, and extent of damage. Note down your complaint reference number. - Notify your KCC bank or insurance company in writing
Submit written intimation to your bank branch or the empanelled insurance company for your area within 72 hours of the damage. - Upload photos on the Fasal Bima app
Photograph the damaged crops and upload via the PMFBY mobile app to create a digital record that speeds up assessment. - Crop Cutting Experiment (CCE) determines payout
The state agriculture department conducts CCEs to estimate your yield loss. Compensation is based on the shortfall from the threshold yield for your area.
Official Source
All information on this page is sourced from the official PMFBY portal of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
This page is for informational purposes only. MeraHaq is not affiliated with any government body. Premium rates, covered crops, and notified areas vary by state and season — always verify on your state’s agriculture portal or at your bank.