Kerala PSC - Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana(PMFBY)

Objective of the Scheme

Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) aims at supporting sustainable production in agriculture sector by way of -

providing financial support to farmers suffering crop loss/damage arising out of unforeseen events
stabilizing the income of farmers to ensure their continuance in farming
encouraging farmers to adopt innovative and modern agricultural practices
ensuring flow of credit to the agriculture sector; which will contribute to food security, crop diversification and enhancing growth and competitiveness of agriculture sector besides protecting farmers from production risks.

Coverage of Farmers

All farmers including sharecroppers and tenant farmers growing the notified crops in the notified areas are eligible for coverage. However, farmers should have insurable interest for the notified/ insured crops. The non-loanee farmers are required to submit necessary documentary evidence of land records prevailing in the State (Records of Right (RoR), Land possession Certificate (LPC) etc.) and/ or applicable contract/agreement details/ other documents notified/ permitted by concerned State Government(in case of sharecroppers/ tenant farmers).
Compulsory Component

All farmers availing Seasonal Agricultural Operations (SAO) loans from Financial Institutions (i.e. loanee farmers) for the notified crop(s) would be covered compulsorily.

Voluntary Component

The Scheme would be optional for the non-loanee farmers.

Special efforts shall be made to ensure maximum coverage of SC/ ST/ Women farmers under the scheme. Budget allocation and utilization under these segments should be in proportion of land holding of SC/ ST/ General along with Women in the respective state/ cluster. Panchayat Raj

Institutions (PRIs) may be involved at various stages of implementation of crop insurance schemes particularly in the identification of the crops and beneficiaries, extension and awareness creation amongst farmers, obtaining feed-back of the farmers while assessing the claim for prevented

sowing/ planting risk, localized perils, post-harvest losses and advance payment of claims etc.

Coverage of Crops

Food crops (Cereals, Millets andPulses),
Oilseeds
Annual Commercial / Horticulturalcrops

Coverage of Risks and Exclusions

Following stages of the crop and risks leading to crop loss are covered under thescheme.

Prevented Sowing/ Planting Risk: Insured area is prevented from sowing/ planting due to deficit rainfall or adverse seasonal conditions
Standing Crop (Sowing to Harvesting): Comprehensive risk insurance is provided to cover yield losses due to non- preventable risks, viz. Drought, Dry spells, Flood, Inundation, Pests and Diseases, Landslides, Natural Fire and Lightening, Storm, Hailstorm, Cyclone,Typhoon,Tempest,Hurricane and Tornado.
Post-Harvest Losses: coverage is available only up to a maximum period of two weeks from harvesting for those crops which are allowed to dry in cut and spread condition in the field after harvesting against specific perils of cyclone and cyclonic rains and unseasonal rains.
Localized Calamities: Loss/ damage resulting from occurrence of identified localized risks of hailstorm, landslide, and Inundation affecting isolated farms in the notified area.

General Exclusions: Losses arising out of war and nuclear risks, malicious damage and other preventable risks shall be excluded.

Preconditions for implementation of the Scheme

Issuance of Notification by State Government / UT for implementation of the scheme (PMFBY) will imply their acceptance of all provisions, modalities and guidelines of the Scheme. The main conditions relating to PMFBYwhich are binding onStates/ UTs,are as follows:

State has to conduct requisite number of Crop Cutting Experiments (CCEs) at the level of notified insurance unit area;
CCE based yield data will be submitted to insurance company within the prescribed time limit;
State/ UT will make necessary budgetary provision in State/ UT budget, to release premium subsidy based on fair estimates, at the beginning of the crop season;
State/ UT should be willing to facilitate strengthening of weather station network.
Adoption of innovative technology specially Smart phones/hand held devices for capturing conduct of CCEs.

More : Government Welfare Schemes