Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)
What is the scheme?
PMFBY protects farmers when crops are damaged by floods, drought, hailstorm, pests and diseases. The farmer pays only a small share of the sum insured as premium and the government pays the rest. Both loanee and non-loanee farmers can enrol voluntarily.
Key benefits
- Premium of 2% on kharif cereals/oilseeds, 1.5% on rabi, 5% on commercial/horticulture crops
- Government subsidy on the remaining premium
- Cover for prevented sowing, standing-crop loss, localised calamities like hailstorm/landslide/inundation, and post-harvest loss (for the notified period)
Eligibility โ who can apply
- Farmers growing notified crops (owners as well as tenants/sharecroppers)
- Both loanee and non-loanee farmers
- Insurable interest in the crop in a notified area is required
Who is not eligible / things to note
- Loss caused by negligence or avoidable risk
- War/nuclear risk
- Loss of harvested crop after the notified period
Documents required
- Aadhaar card
- Land records or proof of sharecropping
- Bank passbook / cancelled cheque
- Sowing and crop details
- Previous season's receipt on renewal
How to apply (step by step)
- Apply on pmfby.gov.in 'Farmer Corner', or at a bank branch, CSC or insurance company office
- Choose season, crop, notified area and sum insured per hectare
- Pay the farmer's share (premium)
- Keep the receipt and application ID safe and link your mobile number
- For localised calamity or post-harvest loss, inform the insurer, portal or CSC generally within 72 hours (period depends on state notification)
How to check your status
- Open pmfby.gov.in and enter the receipt number under 'Application Status'.
- For the claim status, enter your details on the same portal or in the crop insurance app.
- You can also call helpline 14447.
Payment not received? Possible reasons
- Loss from a local calamity (like hailstorm or flood) was not reported in time, which is said to be about 72 hours as per reports. Confirm the time limit with the insurer.
- The premium was not deducted on time, or the crop/land details differ from the insurance record.
- The claim amount cannot reach the bank account (Aadhaar-linked). Check the account and IFSC.
Frequently asked questions
How much premium do I pay for crop insurance?
Kharif cereals/oilseeds 2%, rabi 1.5% and commercial/horticulture 5% (of the sum insured).
What to do after a loss?
Report as soon as possible, generally within 72 hours, to the insurer/portal/CSC. The period may differ in the state notification.
When is the last date to apply?
It differs by state and season. Kharif is usually around JuneโJuly and rabi around OctoberโNovember. Check your state's latest date on the portal.
How to check your status
1. Open pmfby.gov.in and enter the receipt number under 'Application Status'. 2. For the claim status, enter your details on the same portal or in the crop insurance app. 3. You can also call helpline 14447.