Subsidy PMFBY
Scheme
PMFBY

The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is a flagship crop insurance scheme launched by the Government of India to provide financial protection to farmers against crop losses arising from unforeseen natural calamities, pests, and diseases. In our extensive experience working with the farming community in Kasaragod district, we have observed that crop insurance is a critical safety net that enables farmers to recover from losses and continue cultivation with confidence. While Vikas Agro Service specialises in providing high-quality pumpsets, irrigation systems, and agricultural machinery, we recognise the importance of insurance coverage as part of a comprehensive risk management strategy for farmers. [1]

About the PMFBY Scheme

PMFBY, launched in 2016, replaced the earlier National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS) and Modified NAIS to provide more comprehensive and affordable coverage to farmers across India. The scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and covers all food crops, oilseeds, and commercial/horticultural crops. The government provides substantial premium subsidies to ensure that insurance remains affordable for small and marginal farmers. Based on our engagement with farmers, we have found that timely enrolment and accurate documentation are key to ensuring smooth claim settlement. [1]

Key Features

The PMFBY scheme offers the following features, as per the official guidelines:

  • Comprehensive coverage against yield losses due to natural calamities, including drought, flood, cyclone, hailstorm, landslide, and pest attacks. [1]
  • Highly subsidised premium rates, with the balance amount borne by the central and state governments—ensuring minimal financial burden on farmers.
  • Simplified claim settlement process using technology, including remote sensing, drones, and mobile-based crop cutting experiments (CCEs) for faster and more accurate assessment. [1]
  • Use of the National Crop Insurance Portal (NCIP) for seamless online enrolment, claim filing, and tracking—reducing paperwork and delays.
  • Coverage of all stages of the crop cycle, from pre-sowing to post-harvest losses (up to 14 days), ensuring comprehensive protection.
Eligibility & Premium

PMFBY is open to all farmers—including sharecroppers and tenant farmers—who are cultivating notified crops in notified areas. The premium rates are structured to be affordable for all categories of farmers:

  • Kharif crops: 2% of the sum insured (or actuarial rate, whichever is lower). [1]
  • Rabi crops: 1.5% of the sum insured (or actuarial rate, whichever is lower). [1]
  • Horticulture & Commercial crops: 5% of the sum insured (or actuarial rate, whichever is lower). [1]

The remaining premium amount is shared equally between the central and state governments as subsidy. Farmers are encouraged to check the latest state-wise crop notifications and cut-off dates on the official portal to ensure timely enrolment.

As per the official PMFBY guidelines, the following documents are typically required for enrolment:

  1. Aadhaar card – mandatory for identity verification and bank linking. [1]
  2. Passport‑size photograph of the applicant farmer.
  3. Land ownership proof – such as Record of Rights (RoR), Patta, Khasra, or Land Tax Receipt, clearly showing the cultivated area.
  4. Copy of bank passbook's first page (with IFSC code) for direct benefit transfer of claim amounts.
  5. Any valid government-issued ID proof (Voter ID, PAN Card, or Driving License) as secondary identification.

Tenant farmers and sharecroppers may need additional documents, such as a rent agreement or an affidavit, as per state-specific requirements.

The PMFBY scheme provides several tangible benefits to the farming community, as highlighted on the official portal:

  • Financial Security: Protects farmers against income loss from crop failures due to natural calamities, enabling them to repay loans and sustain their households.
  • Affordable Premium: Extremely low premium rates, with the government bearing the majority of the cost, making insurance accessible even to marginal farmers.
  • Swift Claim Settlement: Technology-driven assessment and online claim filing ensure faster disbursement of compensation, reducing distress. [1]
  • Risk Coverage Across Crop Cycle: Covers both pre‑sowing and post‑harvest losses (up to 14 days after harvesting), providing comprehensive protection.
  • Encourages Modern Farming: By reducing risk, the scheme encourages farmers to adopt improved seeds, fertilisers, and irrigation practices—which aligns with our mission at Vikas Agro Service to promote modern, efficient agriculture.

Farmers can enrol for PMFBY through the following channels:

  • Online: Visit the official National Crop Insurance Portal at pmfby.gov.in and register using Aadhaar-linked mobile number. Fill in crop, land, and bank details, and complete the payment of the premium share online.
  • Offline: Approach your nearest bank branch, Common Service Centre (CSC), or agriculture department office to get assistance in filling the application form and submitting documents.
  • Through Insurance Companies: Farmers can also contact empanelled insurance companies (such as Agriculture Insurance Company, Bajaj Allianz, ICICI Lombard, etc.) directly for enrolment.

In our experience assisting farmers in Kasaragod, we have found that early enrolment—well before the cut‑off date—is critical to avoid rejection. We recommend that farmers verify the notified crops and seasonal cut‑off dates for their specific district on the official portal. While Vikas Agro Service does not directly handle insurance applications, our team can guide farmers on documentation requirements and refer them to the appropriate authorities.


PMFBY Website

Vikas Agro Service, with over 35 years of dedicated service to the farming community in Kasaragod district, Kerala, is committed to supporting farmers through every aspect of modern agriculture—from reliable pumpsets and irrigation systems to high-quality farm machinery and expert technical advice. While we do not directly administer crop insurance, we strongly encourage farmers to protect their investments through schemes like PMFBY, which provide a crucial safety net against unpredictable natural risks. Our team is always available to help farmers understand their options and connect them with the right resources. Please note: all scheme‑related benefits, premium rates, eligibility criteria, and claim processes are governed by government notifications and are subject to change. Farmers are advised to verify the latest details from the official PMFBY portal (pmfby.gov.in) or their local agriculture department before enrolment.