The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has recently unveiled detailed modalities to include crop loss caused by wild animal attacks under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). This initiative is aimed at enhancing financial protection for farmers amid escalating human–wildlife conflicts.
PMFBY is India's flagship crop insurance scheme designed to offer comprehensive and affordable protection to farmers against unavoidable natural risks.
Farmers across India have endured increasing crop damage from wildlife, including elephants, wild boars, and nilgai. Previously, these losses often went uncompensated as they fell outside existing crop insurance provisions. Furthermore, paddy inundation was removed from the localized calamity category in 2018 due to concerns about moral hazard and difficulties in assessing submerged crops. This exclusion created a protection gap, particularly for farmers in flood-prone and cyclone-prone areas.
Wild animal attack as a recognized risk: Crop loss from wild animal attacks is now classified as the fifth add-on cover under the localized risk category of PMFBY.
Identification and reporting mechanism: States will identify species of wild animals involved and designate vulnerable areas based on historical data. Farmers must report crop damage within 72 hours using the Crop Insurance App, which requires uploading geotagged photographs.
Reinstatement of paddy inundation: The earlier exclusion of paddy inundation has been reversed under PMFBY, offering essential support to farmers in vulnerable regions.
Broader coverage: These expanded provisions are expected to provide significant benefits to farmers in states with high human–wildlife conflict.
The expansion of PMFBY strengthens India's agricultural safety net by providing affordable insurance options and stabilizing farm incomes. The integration of advanced technology enhances transparency, accuracy, and efficiency in assessing crop losses. By including protections against wild animal attacks and reinstating paddy inundation, PMFBY has become more inclusive and focused on farmer needs. Overall, these reforms bolster the resilience of India's crop insurance framework, offering robust protection against localized risks.
Q1. What is the main objective of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana?
Answer: The main objective of PMFBY is to provide affordable and comprehensive insurance coverage to farmers against non-preventable natural risks, ensuring their financial security.
Q2. How does PMFBY benefit farmers facing wildlife attacks?
Answer: PMFBY now covers crop losses due to wild animal attacks, providing farmers with compensation for damages that were previously unrecognized in the insurance framework.
Q3. What technology is used in PMFBY for crop loss assessment?
Answer: PMFBY utilizes advanced technologies like satellite imagery, drones, and mobile apps to accurately estimate crop losses and facilitate transparent claim settlements.
Q4. Why was paddy inundation excluded from PMFBY earlier?
Answer: Paddy inundation was excluded in 2018 due to concerns about moral hazard and challenges associated with assessing submerged crops, creating a gap in protection for farmers.
Q5. What is the significance of reinstating paddy inundation under PMFBY?
Answer: Reinstating paddy inundation under PMFBY provides crucial support to farmers in flood-prone areas, ensuring they receive compensation for losses due to flooding.
Question 1: What is the maximum premium rate for Kharif crops under PMFBY?
A) 1.5%
B) 2%
C) 5%
D) 3%
Correct Answer: B
Question 2: Which technology is NOT used in PMFBY for loss assessment?
A) Drones
B) Satellite imagery
C) Manual reporting
D) Mobile applications
Correct Answer: C
Question 3: What newly recognized risk was added to PMFBY in the recent expansion?
A) Drought
B) Wild animal attacks
C) Pests
D) Post-harvest losses
Correct Answer: B
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