Centre Expands PMFBY to Cover Crop Losses from Wild Animals and Waterlogging Long-standing farmer demands met; new inclusions to benefit millions nationwide

 

The Union Government has announced a major expansion of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), addressing two critical gaps that farmers across India have highlighted for years. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Friday that, under the initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the scheme will now also cover crop damage caused by wild animals and losses arising from waterlogging due to excessive rainfall.

Two New Categories Added After Years of Demand

Until now, PMFBY covered crop losses triggered by:

• Natural calamities
• Drought
• Hailstorms
• Storms
• Pests
• Diseases

But two major forms of damage — destruction by wild animals and prolonged waterlogging during monsoons — remained outside its ambit. These gaps often placed a heavy burden on farmers in states where such threats are frequent.

Chouhan said the Centre has now accepted these long-pending demands to safeguard farmers’ income and reduce their vulnerability to unpredictable events.

Huge Relief for Vulnerable Regions

The Minister said the revised PMFBY will directly help millions of cultivators, especially in areas where:

• Wild animals (such as boar, nilgai, elephants, or deer) regularly damage standing crops
• Heavy monsoon rains cause flooding and persistent water stagnation

Farmers suffering losses from either of these causes will now be eligible for full insurance compensation, bringing long-awaited financial protection.

Calling it a “historic decision”, Chouhan thanked Prime Minister Modi for prioritising farmers’ security and prosperity.

Government Urges Farmers to Enrol on Time

Chouhan appealed to farmers to register their crops within the stipulated timelines so they do not miss out on coverage. He emphasised that the government is committed to strengthening PMFBY to ensure:

• Every crop is protected
• Every farmer is shielded from financial shocks
• The insurance scheme continues evolving to meet new challenges

He noted that PMFBY forms a critical foundation for securing the future of Indian agriculture, and the Centre will keep improving the scheme to make it more comprehensive and impactful.