Why Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana is Important for Farmers? Check Important Documents & How to Apply

Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is a government sponsored crop insurance scheme that integrates multiple stakeholders on a single platform which is launched on 18 February 2016 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

PMFBY aims for supporting sustainable production in agriculture sector to provide compensation to farmers suffering crop loss/damage arising out of unforeseen events, to stabilize the income of farmers to ensure their continuance in farming and to encourage farmers to adopt innovative and modern agricultural practices. 

Moreover, it also ensures flow of credit to the agriculture sector which will attribute to food security, crop diversification and enhancing growth and competitiveness of agriculture sector besides protecting farmers from production risks. 

Coverage of Farmers 

All farmers including sharecroppers and tenant farmers growing the notified crops in the notified areas are eligible for coverage. However, farmers should have insurable interest on the insured crops.  

The non-loanee farmers are required to submit necessary documentary evidence of land records prevailing in the State (Records of Right (RoR), Land possession Certificate (LPC) etc.) and/or applicable contract/agreement details (in case of sharecroppers/tenant farmers). 

The Scheme shall operate on the principle of “Area Approach” in the selected Defined Areas called Insurance Unit (IU). State Government /UT will notify Crops and Defined Areas covered during the season in accordance with decision taken in the meeting of SLCCCI. State/UT Government should notify as an insurance unit, Village/Village Panchayat or any other equivalent unit for major crops.

What are the Compulsory Component  

All farmers availing Seasonal Agricultural Operations (SAO) loans from Financial Institutions (i.e. loanee farmers) for the crop(s) notified would be covered compulsorily. 

III. Coverage of Crops  

1) Food crops (Cereals, Millets & Pulses),  

2) Oilseeds  

3) Annual Commercial / Horticultural crops 

Coverage of Risks & Exclusions 

Following stages of the crop and risks leading to crop loss are covered under the scheme.  

Prevented Sowing/Planting Risk: Insured area is prevented from sowing/ planting due to deficit rainfall or adverse seasonal conditions. 

Standing Crop (Sowing to Harvesting): 

Comprehensive risk insurance is provided to cover yield losses due to non- preventable risk, viz.: Drought, Dry spells, Flood, Inundation, Pests & Diseases, Landslides, Natural Fire & Lightening, Storm, Hailstorm, Cyclone, Typhoon, Tempest, Hurricane, Tornado etc. 
c) Post-Harvest Losses:  

Coverage is available only up to a maximum period of two weeks from harvesting for those crops which are allowed to dry in cut & spread condition in the field after harvesting against specific perils of cyclone & cyclonic rains and unseasonal rains.  

Localized Calamities: 

Loss / damage resulting from occurrence of identified localized risks of hailstorm, landslide, and Inundation affecting isolated farms in the notified area. 2. General Exclusions: Losses arising out of war & nuclear risks, malicious damage and other preventable risks shall be excluded.

Documents required for PMFBY 

Important documents required for PMFBY are 

• Identity proof of the farmer such as PAN card, driving license, voter ID card, passport, Aadhaar card.

• Address proof like driving license, voter ID card, passport or Aadhaar card

• Photo copy of field Khasranumber / account number is required. 

• You have to provide proof of sowing of crop in the field.

• A cancelled cheque is required along with all the papers.

How to apply for PMFBY 

Go to the official website of PMFBY - https://pmfby.gov.in/ 

Click on Farmers corner on the homepage 

Now Login with your Mobile number and if you don’t have an Account then Login as Guest Farmer 

Enter all required details like name, address, age, state 

Finally click the submit button. 

PMFBY: Direct link to apply here 

Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana 

Source: Govt Website