PM Fasal Bima Yojana: How Farmers Can Insure Rabi Crops Against Weather Losses

A spell of unseasonal rain, hailstorm or flooding can damage a crop just when farmers expect to harvest it. Crop insurance can help eligible growers manage some of the financial loss. The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) provides insurance for notified crops and areas against specified natural risks, subject to the scheme’s conditions.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare reported in August 2026 that PMFBY had received an allocation of ₹12,200 crore for 2026–27. Since the scheme began in 2016, more than 92.46 crore farmer applications had been insured and claims exceeding ₹2.06 lakh crore had been paid by the reporting date. These figures cover the scheme nationally and do not guarantee payment for every loss.

1. Check whether your crop and area are notified

PMFBY is not automatically available for every crop in every village. State governments notify the crops, insurance units and seasons covered under the scheme. Farmers should check the current notification for their district before assuming that a particular Rabi crop is insured.

The official portal provides crop calendars, state and district information, and application facilities. Farmers can also contact their local agriculture department, bank or authorised insurance channel to confirm eligibility. Check the deadline carefully because enrolment dates vary by crop, season and state.

2. Understand the premium you must pay

Under PMFBY, farmers generally pay a maximum premium of 1.5% of the sum insured for Rabi foodgrain and oilseed crops. The maximum is 2% for Kharif foodgrain and oilseed crops and 5% for annual commercial and horticultural crops. The remaining eligible premium is subsidised by the central and state governments under the scheme.

For example, if a notified Rabi crop has a sum insured of ₹40,000 per hectare, a farmer’s premium at 1.5% would be ₹600 per hectare. This is an illustration, not a quotation for a specific crop or district. The actual sum insured and premium depend on the current notification.

3. Apply through an authorised channel

Farmers can explore enrolment through the official PMFBY portal, designated banks, authorised insurance intermediaries or other channels specified in the state notification. The portal offers a farmer application facility and a premium calculator, allowing applicants to check relevant details before submitting information.

Keep the required land, crop, bank and identity details ready. The documents and process may vary according to the farmer’s status and state rules. Save the application number, receipt and policy details after enrolment. Do not assume that a submitted form means insurance is active until the application has been accepted under the applicable procedure.

4. Know which losses may be covered

PMFBY covers specified non-preventable risks, including drought, floods, cyclones, hailstorms, pests and plant diseases, for notified crops. Depending on the circumstances and scheme provisions, it can also cover prevented sowing, localised calamities and specified post-harvest losses. Coverage depends on the notification and the applicable operational guidelines.

Not every weather event automatically results in compensation. For widespread yield losses, claims generally depend on the insured area’s assessed crop yield compared with the scheme’s threshold yield. Certain localised and post-harvest losses are assessed individually under the scheme’s rules. Farmers should read the policy conditions and ask their insurer which reporting procedure applies to their loss.

5. Report crop damage promptly

If hail, inundation or another covered localised event damages a crop, farmers should notify the designated insurance channel within the time limit in the applicable guidelines. The PMFBY portal lists the Krishi Rakshak Portal and Helpline at 14447 for reporting losses, queries and grievances.

Record the date and location of the damage and take photographs where possible. Keep the policy number and relevant crop details available when reporting the incident. Do not wait until harvesting if the guidelines require early notification. Missing a reporting deadline or failing to provide required information can complicate the assessment of an individual loss.

6. Understand how claims are assessed

For many widespread crop losses, the scheme uses crop-cutting experiments and, where applicable, technology-based yield estimates to assess the insured area’s yield. Claims are calculated according to the scheme’s formula and the notified threshold yield, rather than simply reimbursing every farmer for the estimated value of damaged plants.

For specified localised risks, such as hailstorm, landslide, inundation and cloudburst, assessment is carried out at the individual farm level under the operational guidelines. Farmers should provide accurate information and cooperate with authorised assessors. They can use their policy details to check application status and raise a query if a claim appears delayed or disputed.

7. Track your application and seek help with disputes

After enrolment, keep the policy number, premium receipt and any communication from the insurer. The official PMFBY website allows farmers to check application status and provides channels for grievances. If a claim is rejected or delayed, request the reason in writing and check it against the scheme notification and policy terms.

Farmers can use the helpline at 14447 or contact the relevant agriculture department and insurance company. Avoid paying unofficial agents who promise guaranteed compensation. Insurance is governed by the policy and the scheme’s assessment process, so a claim should be pursued through the authorised grievance mechanism.

PMFBY can help eligible farmers manage financial risks from specified crop losses, but protection depends on timely enrolment, notified crops and areas, correct documentation and compliance with reporting rules. Farmers preparing for the Rabi season should verify coverage before the deadline and keep their policy details accessible.

If crop damage occurs, report it promptly through the authorised channel and retain evidence and receipts. The official PMFBY portal and local agriculture offices are the best starting points for checking current notifications, premium rates and claim procedures.