PM Fasal Bima Yojana 2026: Farming has always been a laborious and risky occupation. Crop damage caused by rain, floods, or wild animals has been a major concern for farmers. The central government has announced a significant change to the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), which will come into effect from Kharif 2026. Farmers will now receive insurance coverage for damage caused by wild animal attacks and floods to paddy fields. This move brings both relief and security to farmers.
PM Fasal Bima Yojana 2026: Wild Animal Attack Insurance Coverage
The Ministry of Agriculture stated that crop damage caused by wild animals will now be considered a fifth add-on coverage under the local risk category. Under this, states will determine which wild animals are responsible for crop damage in which areas and identify vulnerable districts. Farmers will be required to submit damage reports along with geo-tagged photographs within 72 hours through the insurance app.
The ministry stated that this decision is the result of long-standing demands from several states. Its objective is to provide timely and technology-based claim settlement to farmers experiencing sudden and severe crop losses. This will directly benefit farmers in Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, and other hilly and northeastern states.
PM Fasal Bima Yojana 2026: Paddy Floods Reintroduced
Paddy flood damage will now be covered under the local disaster category. This was previously removed in 2018, but it created a significant margin of safety for farmers in flood-prone districts. The recommendations of the expert committee have now been approved by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
This change will be particularly beneficial for farmers in coastal and flood-prone states. Farmers in states like Odisha, Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Uttarakhand, which frequently experience paddy floods, will now receive insurance coverage.
Objective of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana
PMFBY Kharif was launched in 2016 to provide farmers with crop protection against all unforeseen natural risks. Its goal is to provide farmers with affordable and comprehensive insurance coverage, protecting them from crop production risks. This new system will now prove to be more empowering and reliable for farmers.
F&Q
Q1: How should losses due to wild animal attacks be reported?
Farmers will be required to report by uploading geo-tagged photos within 72 hours through the insurance app.
Q2: Which states will benefit from this new coverage?
Farmers in Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, and the northeastern states will directly benefit.
Q3: When will the paddy flood coverage be implemented?
This coverage will be implemented from the Kharif 2026 season.
Q4: What is the main objective of PMFBY?
To provide farmers with comprehensive and affordable insurance coverage against all unforeseen natural risks of crop loss.
Disclaimer: This article is based on available information. Government policies and insurance provisions may change from time to time. Before making any decision, please verify with official sources.
