Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India
Launched: 13th January 2016
Implemented By: Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW)
Scheme Type: Crop Insurance / Risk Coverage
Beneficiary Type: Farmers (loanee and non-loanee)
Coverage: All States & UTs (Implemented voluntarily by States)
Category: Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
Official Website:https://pmfby.gov.in
About the Scheme
The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is a flagship crop insurance scheme of the Government of India aimed at supporting sustainable production in the agriculture sector by providing financial support to farmers suffering crop loss or damage due to natural calamities, pests, or diseases.
It replaces earlier schemes like National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS) and Modified NAIS (MNAIS) to make crop insurance more affordable, transparent, and technology-driven through use of remote sensing, smart sampling, and digital claim settlement.
Goal: To stabilize farmers’ income, ensure food security, encourage innovation, and protect farmers from financial distress.
🧾 Key Features
- Uniform premium rates for farmers:
- 2% for Kharif crops
- 1.5% for Rabi crops
- 5% for Commercial & Horticultural crops
(Remaining premium shared by Central & State Governments.)
- Covers pre-sowing to post-harvest losses.
- Technology use: Remote sensing, drones, GPS-enabled mobile apps for accurate yield estimation.
- Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) ensures quick claim settlement into farmers’ bank accounts.
- Compulsory for loanee farmers availing crop loans, voluntary for non-loanee farmers.
👩🌾 Objectives
- To ensure flow of credit to the agriculture sector.
- To provide insurance coverage and financial support to farmers in case of crop failure.
- To stabilize the income of farmers to ensure their continuance in farming.
- To encourage farmers to adopt modern and innovative agricultural practices.
📋 Eligibility Criteria
- All farmers growing notified crops in notified areas are eligible.
- Both loanee and non-loanee farmers can apply.
- Tenant or sharecropper farmers cultivating land are also eligible (must produce land records or consent letters).
- The crop must be a notified crop and insured within the notified period.
Who Cannot Apply:
- Farmers not submitting required documents or applying after the deadline.
- Farmers growing non-notified crops.
- Farmers outside the notified area.
Documents Required
| Type | Documents |
|---|---|
| Identity Proof | Aadhaar card (mandatory) |
| Land Proof | Land ownership record / lease agreement / khasra number |
| Bank Details | Passbook or cancelled cheque |
| Crop Details | Sowing certificate or declaration |
| Loan Details | Loan sanction letter (for loanee farmers) |
| Photograph | Passport-sized photo |
| Mobile Number | For OTP and status updates |
How to Apply Online
Step-by-Step on https://pmfby.gov.in
- Visit the official portal.
- Click on “Farmer Corner → Apply for Crop Insurance.”
- Register with your mobile number / Aadhaar number.
- Select your State, District, Block, and Crop.
- Upload land documents, bank passbook, and crop details.
- Pay the premium online.
- Download the Acknowledgment Receipt.
How to Apply Offline
- Visit your nearest bank branch, Primary Agricultural Credit Society (PACS), or Common Service Centre (CSC).
- Fill the PMFBY enrollment form.
- Submit documents (Aadhaar, land papers, Kisan Credit Card, crop sowing certificate).
- Deposit the premium and take acknowledgment.
Benefits of PMFBY
✅ Protects farmers from financial losses due to natural calamities.
✅ Ensures income stability.
✅ Strengthens creditworthiness for loans.
✅ Encourages investment in advanced technology and inputs.
✅ Reduces rural distress and dependency on informal lenders.
Contact Details
Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare
Krishi Bhawan, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Road,
New Delhi – 110001
📞 Helpline: 1800-180-1551
🌐 https://pmfby.gov.in
Payout / Claim Process
- Crop loss assessment is carried out by the State Government & Insurance Company.
- In case of loss, intimation must be given within 72 hours through:
- PMFBY mobile app
- Nearest agriculture office
- Toll-free number or insurer contact
- After verification, the claim amount is calculated and directly transferred to the farmer’s bank account via DBT.
- Claims are settled within 2 months of yield data receipt.
🔍 How to Check Application / Claim Status
Go to https://pmfby.gov.in
- Click “Application Status” under Farmer Corner.
- Enter your Application Number / Aadhaar / Account Number.
- The portal will show:
- Application status (Approved / Pending / Rejected)
- Claim payment details
- Premium deduction details
Follow-Up & Escalation
- If you face issues with your application or claim:
- Contact your District Agriculture Officer or Bank Nodal Officer.
- Call the PMFBY Helpline: 📞 1800-180-1551
- File grievance at https://pmfby.gov.in/Grievance
- If unresolved, you may:
- File an RTI application to the Agriculture Ministry
- Approach the Insurance Ombudsman in your region
Who’s Who
| Designation | Name | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare | Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan | Overall supervision of PMFBY |
| Minister of State (Agriculture) | Shri Bhagirath Choudhary | Coordination & State liaison |
| Secretary, Agriculture & Farmers Welfare | Shri Devesh Chaturvedi, IAS | Administrative head |
| CEO, Agriculture Insurance Company of India Ltd (AICIL) | — | Nodal implementing agency |
FAQs
1. Is PMFBY mandatory?
No. It is voluntary for all farmers since 2020.
2. How much premium do farmers pay?
Only 1.5%–5% depending on crop type; the rest is paid by the government.
3. What if I change my bank account?
Update details on PMFBY portal or through your bank before claim settlement.
4. What happens if my crop is partially damaged?
The scheme covers localized losses due to hailstorm, landslide, inundation, etc.
5. Can I apply for more than one crop?
Yes, if both crops are notified and cultivated in eligible area.