“Uttar Pradesh farmers gain enhanced financial security with the state’s revamped Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) benefits for 2025. The updated scheme offers lower premiums, faster claim settlements, and expanded coverage for Kharif and Rabi crops. With technology-driven loss assessments and increased government subsidies, the initiative aims to stabilize incomes and boost modern farming practices.”
Uttar Pradesh Bolsters Farmer Welfare with Enhanced Crop Insurance Scheme
In a significant move to support its agrarian community, Uttar Pradesh has introduced enhanced benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) for the 2025 crop seasons, aligning with the scheme’s ninth anniversary celebrated on February 18, 2025. The revamped initiative, tailored to address the state’s unique agricultural challenges, promises to provide farmers with greater financial security against crop losses caused by natural calamities, pests, and diseases.
The updated PMFBY in Uttar Pradesh emphasizes affordability, with farmers paying a maximum premium of 2% for Kharif crops, 1.5% for Rabi crops, and 5% for annual commercial or horticultural crops. The state and central governments cover the remaining premium, ensuring no upper limit on subsidies, a change from earlier schemes where premium caps often reduced claim payouts. This financial support is crucial in a state where agriculture employs over 50% of the workforce and is highly susceptible to erratic monsoons, floods, and pest attacks.
A key highlight of the revised scheme is the integration of advanced technology to streamline processes. The National Crop Insurance Portal (NCIP) and the Crop Insurance App, managed by the Department of Agriculture & Farmer Welfare, allow farmers to register, calculate premiums, and report crop losses seamlessly. For instance, farmers can now report damage within 72 hours via the app, toll-free numbers (like 14447), or local agriculture offices, triggering rapid assessments using satellite imagery, drones, and GPS technology. This reduces claim settlement delays, a long-standing issue flagged by the Parliamentary Standing Committee in 2021.
Coverage under the scheme has been expanded to include prevented sowing risks, standing crop losses due to non-preventable perils like drought, floods, and cyclones, and post-harvest losses for up to two weeks after harvesting for crops dried in the field. Localized calamities such as hailstorms and landslides are also covered, with claims assessed on an individual farm basis. Additionally, Uttar Pradesh has introduced optional add-on coverage for crop losses due to wild animal attacks, addressing a growing concern in regions bordering forests.
Eligibility remains inclusive, covering all farmers, including sharecroppers and tenant farmers, growing notified crops like paddy, bajra, soybean, and groundnut in designated areas. While the scheme is voluntary for non-loanee farmers, those with Seasonal Agricultural Operations (SAO) loans or Kisan Credit Cards for notified crops are encouraged to enroll. The enrollment deadline for the Rabi 2024-25 season was January 15, 2025, and for Kharif 2025, it is set for July 31, 2025, as per recent announcements.
The state government has also focused on increasing awareness through campaigns led by insurance companies and district authorities. Farmer testimonials highlight the scheme’s impact: in 2024, a farmer from Gorakhpur received ₹20,000 against a ₹939 premium for maize crop losses, underscoring the scheme’s role as a safety net. However, challenges persist, with some insurance companies facing unpaid dues of over ₹6,450 crore from states over the past five years, potentially straining implementation.
The Union Budget for 2025-26 allocated ₹12,242 crore to PMFBY, a 22.8% reduction from the previous year’s ₹15,864 crore, raising concerns about funding adequacy. Nevertheless, the total outlay for 2021-26 stands at ₹69,515.71 crore, reflecting the government’s commitment to sustaining the scheme. Uttar Pradesh’s proactive adoption of technology and expanded coverage positions it as a model for other states, aiming to enhance crop insurance penetration and support sustainable farming practices.
Disclaimer: This article is based on recent news, official reports from the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, and updates from the PMFBY portal. Information is sourced from credible platforms like the Press Information Bureau, the National Crop Insurance Portal, and news outlets such as The Daily Jagran. Readers are advised to verify details with official sources for enrollment and claim processes.