Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana: Kharif Crop Insurance Deadline Extended to August 25, 2024

Key Highlights

• The insurance deadline for Kharif crops extended to August 25, 2024.
• Covers losses from storms, floods, drought, etc.
• Premium: 2% for food/oilseed crops, 5% for horticulture.
• Indebted and non-indebted farmers are eligible for insurance.
• Losses must be reported within 72 hours for claims.

Farmers across India now have until August 25, 2024, to get their Kharif crops insured under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). This scheme aims to safeguard farmers from losses due to natural disasters such as storms, floods, droughts, excessive rainfall, hailstorms, and more.

Initially, the last date for crop insurance was set for July 31, 2024, which was later extended to August 16. Now, to accommodate more farmers, the deadline has been extended further to August 25, 2024. This gives both indebted and non-indebted farmers another opportunity to secure their crops and mitigate risks associated with climate uncertainties.

Eligible Kharif Crops for Insurance

Farmers can insure various crops under the PMFBY during the Kharif season. Some of the key crops include:

• Food Crops: Paddy (rice), maize, millet, sorghum, and sugarcane
• Oilseeds: Groundnut and soybean
• Pulses: Arhar (tuar), moong, and urad
• Horticultural Crops: Banana, mango, guava

The premium rate for food and oilseed crops is set at 2%, while the premium for horticultural crops is 5%.

How Indebted Farmers Can Get Crop Insurance

Indebted farmers can take advantage of the PMFBY by following these steps:

1. Fill out the crop insurance application form.
2. Attach important documents like the Aadhar card, ledger copy, savings bank account copy, and pay the 2% premium per hectare of the insured amount.
3. Submit the application to your nearest nationalized bank, district cooperative bank, or Common Service Center (CSC).

How Non-Indebted Farmers Can Get Crop Insurance

For non-indebted farmers (those without bank loans), the process to get crop insurance includes:

1. Submit the required documents like the Aadhar card, bank passbook copy, mobile number, Khasra B-1, and an authentic sowing certificate of the crop.
2. Tenant farmers will also need to attach an affidavit of the lease deed.
3. Farmers can apply through various channels such as banks, MP Online, Jan Seva Kendras, CSCs, or Primary Agricultural Cooperative Credit Societies.

Important Points for Farmers

Farmers who have insured their crops under the PMFBY must report any loss due to natural disasters within 72 hours. They should document the date of the loss and the specific disaster situation. If the date of loss is incorrectly recorded, the insurance claim may be invalid. To avoid any issues, it is recommended to reach out to the local Agriculture Extension Officer for more details on the scheme.

Also Read: Free Horticultural Plants for Small Farmers: Employment Guarantee Scheme Benefits Explained

CMV360 Says

The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana provides farmers with critical protection against crop losses. By extending the deadline for Kharif crop insurance to August 25, 2024, the government aims to include more farmers in this beneficial scheme. Ensure you take advantage of this extended period and safeguard your crops for a secure future.