How to insure your crops against drought, flood, and pest damage — for as little as 1.5–2% of the premium
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What Is PMFBY?
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is India’s flagship crop insurance scheme, run by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. Launched in February 2016, PMFBY protects farmers against financial loss when their crops are damaged by natural calamities, pests, or diseases — covering everything from failed sowing and standing-crop losses to post-harvest damage in notified areas.
The scheme now protects over 5.5 crore farmers annually and is currently running in 23 states and union territories, with continuation cleared through 2025–26 under a total outlay of over ₹69,500 crore.
Why PMFBY is Worth Registering For
- Extremely low premium — farmers pay only a small fraction of the actual premium; the rest is shared between the Central and State governments
- Broad risk coverage — includes drought, flood, hailstorm, pest attacks, and disease, with newer additions covering crop damage from wild animal attacks and paddy inundation in some states
- Fast claims — the scheme aims to process and settle claims within two months of harvest, helping farmers avoid falling into debt after a bad season
- Technology-driven assessment — satellite imagery, drones, and remote sensing are increasingly used to estimate crop loss more accurately and speed up payouts
Who Is Eligible?
- Any farmer growing a notified crop in a notified area during the notified season — both the crop and your village/area must appear in your state’s official PMFBY notification for that season
- Landowners, tenant farmers, and sharecroppers are all eligible, not just those who own the land
- Loanee farmers (those with a Kisan Credit Card or crop loan) are typically enrolled automatically by their bank
- Non-loanee farmers must apply separately, either online or through a bank/CSC
Premium Rates (Farmer’s Share)
| Crop Type | Farmer Pays |
|---|---|
| Kharif food & oilseed crops→ | 2% of sum insured |
| Rabi food & oilseed crops→ | 1.5% of sum insured |
| Commercial & horticultural crops→ | 5% of sum insured |
The remaining premium is subsidized jointly by the Central and State governments — meaning most farmers pay only a small amount relative to the actual coverage value.
Registration Deadlines
- Kharif season: enrollment generally closes around 31 July each year
- Rabi season: enrollment generally closes around 31 December
Exact dates can vary by state, and some states occasionally get extensions — always check your state’s specific notification on the portal rather than assuming a fixed national date.
How to Register — Step by Step
If you’re a loanee farmer (have a KCC or crop loan):
You’re typically enrolled automatically by your bank, with the premium deducted directly from your loan account. Check your bank passbook or loan statement for a “Fasal Bima Premium Deducted” entry to confirm you’re already covered.
If you’re a non-loanee farmer:
- Visit the National Crop Insurance Portal at pmfby, or use the Crop Insurance App.
- Register as a farmer using your Aadhaar number and mobile number.
- Select your state, district, and notified crop for the current season.
- Enter your land details and upload the required documents.
- Calculate and pay your premium share using the portal’s premium calculator.
- Submit your application — you’ll receive a policy/application reference number.
You can also complete registration through your nearest Common Service Centre (CSC) or the insurance company/bank handling PMFBY in your district if you’d prefer in-person help.
Documents You’ll Need
- Aadhaar card
- Land ownership records, or a tenancy/cultivation agreement if you’re a tenant farmer or sharecropper
- Bank account details (for premium payment and claim disbursement)
- Sowing certificate (in some states/cases)
Checking Your PMFBY Application Status
- Go to official PMFBY portal→
- Select “Know Your Application Status”
- Enter your Policy ID, Aadhaar number, or application reference number, fill in the captcha, and click the “Check Status” button to view your policy details.
What to Do If You Suffer a Crop Loss
- Report within 72 hours of the loss — this window matters, so don’t delay
- Report through the Crop Insurance App or by calling the PMFBY helpline
- Keep your policy number handy when reporting, as it speeds up the process
Helpline
PMFBY Toll-Free Helpline: 1800-200-7710 (also listed as 14447 in some state directories — check your state notification for the correct local number)
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay the full insurance premium myself?
No. You only pay a small share — 2% for Kharif crops, 1.5% for Rabi crops, and 5% for commercial/horticultural crops. The rest is covered jointly by the Central and State governments.
I have a Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loan — do I still need to register separately?
No. Loanee farmers are typically enrolled automatically by their bank, with the premium deducted directly from the loan account. Check your passbook or loan statement for a “Fasal Bima Premium Deducted” entry to confirm.
Can tenant farmers or sharecroppers apply, or only landowners?
Both are eligible. Landowners, tenant farmers, and sharecroppers can all register, as long as the crop and area are officially notified for that season.
What happens if I miss the enrollment deadline?
Missing the deadline (usually 31 July for Kharif, 31 December for Rabi) means you won’t have coverage for that entire season, so it’s important to apply before the cutoff rather than waiting.
How quickly do I need to report a crop loss to make a claim?
Within 72 hours of the loss. Report it through the Crop Insurance App or the PMFBY helpline, and keep your policy number ready.
How can I check if my registration went through?
Go to pmfby, Enter your Policy ID, or application reference number, fill in the captcha, and click the “Check Status” button to view your policy details.
Is every crop and every area covered under PMFBY?
No. Coverage only applies to crops and areas officially “notified” by your state for that season — always confirm your specific crop and village appear in your state’s current PMFBY notification before assuming you’re covered.
Notified crops, deadlines, premium subsidies, and coverage details can vary by state and season, and are updated by the government periodically. Always confirm the current notification, deadline, and application process for your state on the official portal (pmfby.gov.in) before applying.
