PMFBY Rolled Out In West Bengal: Key Benefits, Coverage, And Application Process

West Bengal has rejoined the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), bringing the state back under the Centre's crop insurance programme after several years.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced the rollout during his visit to Hooghly district on June 20, where he also released the 23rd instalment of the PM-KISAN scheme and launched other development projects. This will allow farmers in the state to enrol under the central crop insurance scheme and receive coverage against losses caused by natural calamities and other risks.

West Bengal Returns To PMFBY

The PMFBY was implemented in West Bengal from 2016 to 2018. However, the state government withdrew from the scheme before the 2019 kharif season.

After exiting PMFBY, West Bengal introduced its own crop insurance programme, the Bangla Fasal Bima Yojana (BFBY), which was funded by the state government. The state has now decided to return to the central scheme, bringing its crop insurance framework in line with the national programme.

According to government estimates, around 50 lakh farmers in the state are expected to benefit from PMFBY.

What PMFBY Covers

Crop losses can occur due to events beyond a farmer's control, including floods, droughts, cyclones, hailstorms, unseasonal rainfall and pest attacks. Such losses can affect both farm income and the ability to invest in the next cropping season.

Weather plays a very important role in agriculture, and farmers are at risk of losing their income in the event of sudden and unforeseen changes in weather. The purpose of PMFBY is to support farmers with financial assistance in the event of damage to their crops, thereby helping them to manage the losses and carry on with their farm activities in the next season. This scheme covers losses due to floods, unseasonal rain, pest attacks, droughts, cyclones, and hailstorms.

Premiums Under PMFBY

Under PMFBY, farmers pay only a fraction of the insurance premium, while the remaining amount is shared by the Centre and the state government.

Under the scheme, farmers pay: 2 per cent of the sum insured for kharif crops, 1.5 per cent for rabi crops, and 5 per cent for commercial and horticultural crops.

The balance premium is subsidised by the government.

How Farmers Can Apply

Farmers can apply online through the PMFBY portal. Applicants need to register using their mobile number, complete the application form with personal, farm and bank account details, upload the required documents and pay the applicable premium.

Applications can also be submitted offline through banks, Common Service Centres (CSCs) and agriculture department offices.