Government introduces new modalities under PMFBY to strengthen farmer protection

Posted 19 Nov 2025

1 min read

Article Summary

The revised PMFBY, starting from Kharif 2026, introduces coverage for wild animal attacks and re-establishes Paddy inundation, with state-specific risk assessments and 72-hour loss reporting requirements.

Revised framework for Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) will be rolled out from Kharif 2026.

Key Changes introduced under PMFBY

New Coverage Added: Crop loss due to wild animal attacks is included as the 5th add-on cover under localised risks.
Reintroduced Protection: Paddy inundation restored as a localised calamity cover (removed in 2018).
State-Level Identification: States will notify the list of wild animals and vulnerable districts based on historical data.
Mandatory Reporting: Farmers must report losses within 72 hours via the crop insurance app with geo-tagged photos.

Infographic titled “PMFBY: Comprehensive Crop Risk Coverage” showing different types of agricultural risk coverage under the scheme. Sections include: – Prevented Sowing/Planting/Germination Risk: coverage for deficit rainfall or adverse seasonal conditions. – Standing Crop Protection: covers yield losses from drought, dry spells, floods, and inundation from sowing to harvesting. – Post-Harvest Loss Coverage: protection up to two weeks after harvest for field-dried crops against hailstorms, cyclones, and unseasonal rains. – Localized Calamities Protection: covers losses from hailstorm, landslide, and other local risks. – Add-On Wildlife Damage Coverage: optional coverage by states for crop losses due to wild animal attacks. Bottom section lists exclusions: war risks, nuclear risks, malicious damage, and other preventable risks. Icons accompany each section, including a shield for protection and a warning sign for exclusions.

About PM Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)

Ministry: Launched in 2016 by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare.
Type: Central Sector Scheme
Aims & Objectives:
- Financial support to farmers suffering crop loss/ damage, stabilizing their income and ensuring flow of credit to the agriculture sector.
- Adoption of innovative & modern agricultural practices and crop diversification.
Eligibility: Farmers, including sharecroppers and tenant farmers, growing notified crops in notified areas
Premium Payable by Farmers:
- For Kharif crops - 2%
- For Rabi crops - 1.5%
- For commercial and horticultural crops - 5%
Premium by Government: Shared equally (50:50) by the Central and State Governments; Except for North-Eastern and Himalayan states (90:10)