Government Expands Crop-Insurance Cover Under PMFBY to Include Wild-Animal Attacks and Paddy Inundation
SDG 1: No Poverty | SDG 2: Zero Hunger
Institutions: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare
The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare has amended the operational framework of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) to recognise two additional localised-risk covers: (1) crop loss due to wild animal attacks, and (2) paddy inundation (flood/submergence) for vulnerable states.
Under the revised provisions:
Wild-animal-attacks will now be treated as the fifth “Add-on Cover” category under Localised Risk; states will notify relevant animals, define vulnerable districts/units, and farmers will report losses within 72 hours via the Crop Insurance App with geo-tagged photographs.
Paddy inundation has been re-introduced into the localised calamity cover (it was removed in 2018) for flood-prone/coastal states to bridge protection gaps.
These changes are set to be implemented beginning Kharif 2026, enabling better risk-coverage for farmers in regions such as Himalayan, Northeastern, coastal and high human-wildlife-conflict states (Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Assam, Tripura, Sikkim, Uttarakhand etc.).
This expansion enhances the inclusiveness and responsiveness of India’s flagship crop-insurance scheme by recognising emergent risks (wildlife damage, floods) often left un-insured. It strengthens farmer resilience against climate- and ecology-linked hazards, better aligns risk-mitigation instruments with agrarian vulnerabilities and supports social protection in rural sectors. The change fits into broader agendas of strengthening agricultural livelihoods, climate adaptation in farming, and reducing rural poverty.
What is PMFBY? → The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana is a government-backed crop-insurance scheme in India that provides coverage and financial support to farmers in the event of crop failure, natural calamities and certain other risks, thereby stabilising incomes and protecting agrarian livelihoods.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: What systems must states strengthen to ensure timely claims and payouts under the expanded PMFBY covers?
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