PMFBY Crop Insurance
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana - farmer premium as low as 2%, government pays the rest. Covers drought, flood, pest attack, post-harvest losses and more.
Farmer Premium Rates
| Crop Season & Type | Farmer Pays | Govt Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Kharif (rice, cotton, maize, groundnut) | 2% of sum insured | Balance of actuarial premium |
| Rabi (wheat, mustard, gram, lentil) | 1.5% of sum insured | Balance of actuarial premium |
| Commercial / Horticultural crops | 5% of sum insured | Balance of actuarial premium |
Premium is capped; the government and state share the remaining actuarial cost. There is no upper cap on the sum insured - it equals the Scale of Finance for your crop-district.
Risks Covered Under PMFBY
- Prevented sowing due to deficit rainfall or dry spell
- Standing crop loss - drought, dry spell, flood, inundation, pest and disease
- Post-harvest losses within 14 days of harvest due to cyclone, rain or frost
- Localized calamities - hailstorm, landslide, inundation in notified areas
- Wild animal attack (in states where notified)
Not covered: war, nuclear risk, malicious damage, intentional acts, and pre-existing diseases declared before sowing.
How to Enroll - Step by Step
- 1Check if your crop-district is notified
PMFBY covers only crops notified by the state government each season. Verify with your Gram Sevak, bank branch, or the PMFBY portal (pmfby.gov.in).
- 2Enroll before the cut-off date
Kharif deadline: last date of July. Rabi deadline: last date of December. Dates vary by state - confirm with your district agriculture office.
- 3Visit any bank branch, CSC, or insurance company office
Loanee farmers (KCC holders) are enrolled automatically. Non-loanee farmers must submit a proposal form with land records, Aadhaar, and bank account details.
- 4Pay your premium share
The farmer's share is 2% (kharif) or 1.5% (rabi) of the sum insured, not the full actuarial premium. For KCC holders, the premium is debited from the loan account.
- 5Get your Policy Reference Number
Keep the receipt / policy number safe. You'll need it to track claim status on pmfby.gov.in or the Fasal Bima mobile app.
- 6Report crop loss within 72 hours
If crops are damaged, report immediately on the Fasal Bima app, pmfby.gov.in, or call the crop insurance company's helpline. The loss is surveyed by a government-assigned crew.
Empanelled Insurance Companies
PMFBY is implemented through empanelled insurance companies selected by state governments. Your bank branch will tell you which company is notified for your crop-district this season.
- Agriculture Insurance Company of India (AIC)
- United India Insurance
- HDFC Ergo General Insurance
- Bajaj Allianz General Insurance
- Tata AIG General Insurance
- ICICI Lombard General Insurance
- Oriental Insurance
- Reliance General Insurance
Key Resources
- PMFBY portal: pmfby.gov.in
- Fasal Bima App: available on Google Play Store
- Helpline: 1800-200-7710 (toll-free, 9am–6pm)
- District Agriculture Office: for notified crop list and SoF rates
Related Agri Finance Topics
Government Schemes for Farmers
Subsidies, crop insurance, loans and input support — check eligibility and apply online.
Weather & Crop Advisories
District-level agromet advisories combining IMD 5-day weather forecasts with crop-specific pest, disease and irrigation recommendations.
Agriculture News
Daily updates on mandi price movements, scheme announcements, weather advisories and crop-wise reports from state agriculture departments.
Agri Input Dealers
Find licensed seed, fertilizer and pesticide dealers near you.
Source: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare - PMFBY operational guidelines and state notifications · View source →. Updated: reviewed each kharif and rabi season · Report an error
Frequently Asked Questions
What is PMFBY and who is eligible?
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is the Government of India's flagship crop insurance scheme. All farmers - owner-cultivators, tenant farmers, and sharecroppers - growing notified crops in notified areas are eligible. Loanee farmers under KCC are enrolled automatically; non-loanee farmers may opt in voluntarily.
What is the farmer's premium for PMFBY?
Farmers pay a maximum of 2% of the sum insured for kharif crops (like rice, cotton, maize) and 1.5% for rabi crops (like wheat, mustard, gram). For commercial and horticultural crops the farmer's share is capped at 5%. The government pays the remaining actuarial premium.
What is the sum insured under PMFBY?
The sum insured is the Scale of Finance (SoF) declared by the District Level Technical Committee (DLTC) for that crop in that district. It represents the full cost of cultivating one hectare. The sum insured per farmer is SoF × notified area.
How long does a PMFBY claim take to settle?
Claims for yield shortfall (widespread calamity) are settled within 2 months of final crop cutting experiment data being submitted by the state. Claims for post-harvest and localized losses are settled within 30 days of the loss being assessed.
Is PMFBY available for rented or leased land?
Yes. Tenant farmers and sharecroppers can enroll in PMFBY for the land they are cultivating under a formal or informal tenancy agreement. They must submit a tenancy agreement or a declaration countersigned by the landowner.
What documents do I need to enroll in PMFBY?
You need: (1) Land records (7/12 or equivalent) showing the crop sown, (2) Aadhaar card, (3) Bank account passbook, and (4) Sowing certificate from Gram Sevak or Patwari. Non-loanee farmers also need a proposal/application form from the insurance company or bank.