For Indian farmers, the arrival of a new year often brings a mixture of hope for a bountiful harvest and anxiety over the unpredictability of nature. Unfamiliar weather patterns, pest outbreaks, and natural disasters make farming a profession fraught with uncertainty, forcing many to switch careers to sustain their living.
To tackle this, the Indian Government has placed crop insurance schemes at the forefront of its 2025 policy decisions. With over 40% of the population employed in agriculture, the Union Cabinet recently allocated Rs 69,515.71 crore for the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), and an additional Rs 824.77 crore towards the Fund for Innovation and Technology (FIAT) to boost tech initiatives like YES-TECH (remote sensing technology for accurate yield estimation) and WINDS (automatic weather station and rain gauges).
What is the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana?
The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), launched in 2016, is a crop insurance scheme offering coverage for a range of crops, including food grains, pulses, oilseeds, and horticultural crops.
Operating under the motto of ‘One nation, one crop, one premium’, it aims to increase the penetration of crop insurance and expand its reach to all farmers, particularly those in rural and remote areas.
What are the benefits of the PMFBY scheme?
The PMFBY offers farmers a series of benefits to mitigate losses caused by natural disasters, crop diseases, and pest infestations.
1. Financial protection against natural disasters: If crops are damaged due to unexpected weather events which happen frequently in the country, farmers are compensated for their losses, which can cover the costs of replanting or offset the loss of income.
2. Reduced vulnerability to debt: This helps mitigate the financial burden that farmers often face after crop failure. Instead of relying on high-interest loans, they can access insurance compensation, which offers a more affordable path to recovery.
3. Encouraging investment and innovation: When farmers know they have financial protection, they are more likely to invest in new technologies like GPS and remote monitoring to have continuous coverage or diversify their crops. This sense of security encourages innovation and better farming practices, ultimately contributing to greater agricultural productivity.
4. Improved resilience to climate change: Insurance schemes often come with additional benefits, such as access to weather forecasts and pest control advice. Agrometeorological Advisory Services like Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa (GKMS) can help farmers manage crop damage and loss due to unusual weather enhancing resilience to changing climatic conditions.
5. Affordability through Government subsidies: The Indian Government subsidises the premiums for crop insurance, making it more affordable for farmers. These subsidies help reduce the financial burden on farmers, especially smallholders, who might otherwise struggle to pay the full premium.
How to enrol in the scheme?
The Indian Government has made it convenient for farmers to register for PMFBY online.
Identity proof, passport size photograph, Khasra paper (if the farmer owns the land), a written letter from Pradhan, Sarpanch, Goan Pradhan, Patwari, etc. and other appropriate documents are required to register into the beneficial scheme.
Here’s a quick guide to help farmers complete the self-registration process:
Access the official website by visiting https://pmfby.gov.in/. On the homepage, select the ‘Register’ option to begin the registration process. Fill in the required fields with accurate personal and official information, including your name, contact details, and relevant farming information.
The Aadhaar number will be automatically verified during the process. For mobile number verification, an OTP will be sent to your registered number. Enter the OTP to complete this step.
After submitting the registration form, it will be reviewed. You will receive an SMS or email notification informing you about the approval or rejection of your application.
The PMFBY scheme is an essential tool in helping farmers manage the inherent risks of farming. By offering financial protection and promoting innovation, they help farmers recover from losses and invest in more resilient farming practices.
Edited by Arunava Banerjee
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