Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 01 January 2025
The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), a flagship scheme of the Government of India, has been a critical support system for farmers since its launch in 2016. The scheme, which provides financial protection against crop losses caused by natural calamities, has been implemented in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to ensure the stability of farmers’ incomes and the sustainable development of the agriculture sector. By offering insurance coverage for crop losses, PMFBY also promotes the flow of credit into agriculture and helps safeguard farmers from financial setbacks.
For the Rabi 2024-25 season, the PMFBY has been officially notified for implementation across all districts of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, including South Andaman, North and Middle Andaman, and the Campbell Bay area in Nicobar. The scheme covers pulses and vegetable crops under this season, with an indemnity level set at 80% of the insured amount. Farmers will receive financial support in case of crop losses due to natural disasters, ensuring a safety net for their livelihoods.
The maximum scale of finance for the notified crops has been fixed for the season. For pulses, both Green Gram and Black Gram the maximum scale of finance is at ₹53,770 per hectare. Vegetables have varying scales of finance, with Tomato at ₹1,70,604 per hectare, Bhindi at ₹1,41,970, Lobiya at ₹1,19,618, Brinjal at ₹1,44,220, Cauliflower at ₹2,36,530, and Watermelon at ₹1,11,820. The total sum insured is calculated by multiplying the scale of finance with the area under cultivation. Enrolled farmers, both loanee and non-loanee, will benefit from subsidies on their premiums and need to pay only 0.5% of the sum insured for all notified crops.
The scheme offers comprehensive risk coverage for various scenarios. These include losses due to prevented sowing caused by adverse weather conditions, crop damage from sowing to harvesting caused by drought, dry spells, floods, pests, diseases, storms, and hailstorms, among others. It also covers post-harvest losses for up to two weeks for crops left to dry in the field after harvesting. Farmers affected by localized calamities or mid-season adversities, such as floods or severe drought, will also receive compensation under the scheme.
Eligibility for PMFBY extends to all farmers, including sharecroppers and tenant farmers, cultivating notified crops in notified areas. Farmers need to provide valid land records, such as land possession certificates, or other documents approved by the Union Territory administration. Enrollment for the Rabi 2024-25 season is open until January 15, 2025. Farmers can register at the State Bank of India, Co-operative Banks in their respective areas, or online through the National Crop Insurance Portal at pmfby.gov.in.
In case of crop losses, insured farmers must report the damage within 72 hours. Losses can be reported via mobile phones, landlines, toll-free numbers, or through direct communication with the implementing agency, Kshema General Insurance Limited, as well as local banks and the Agriculture Department. For additional assistance, farmers can contact the Kisan Call Centre Help Line at 243434 or 18003451145 or approach the Agriculture Department’s officers.
Farmers across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are encouraged to make the most of the PMFBY scheme to secure their crops and safeguard their livelihoods against unforeseen adversities. By enrolling in this flagship initiative, they can ensure financial stability and resilience in the face of unpredictable natural calamities.