New Delhi, August : The Government of India has clarified that the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) provides comprehensive insurance coverage against crop losses caused by non-preventable natural calamities from the pre-sowing stage to post-harvest, while also allowing States to include crop damage caused by wild animals as an optional add-on cover.

In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, Shri Ramnath Thakur, stated that PMFBY, introduced during the 2016-17 crop season, is voluntary for both State Governments and farmers. Under the scheme, insurance protection is provided for crops and areas notified by the respective State Governments against a wide range of unavoidable natural risks.

The Minister explained that crop losses caused by wild animals were not originally covered under PMFBY because such damages were considered preventable in nature. However, following requests from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and several State Governments, the Centre has permitted States to offer protection against wild animal attacks as an optional add-on insurance cover.

Under this provision, States can notify crop losses caused by wild animals based on individual assessment, with the additional premium for the coverage to be borne by the respective State Government. The operational guidelines of PMFBY contain a detailed protocol for implementing this optional insurance component.

The government also clarified the provisions relating to inundation (flooding) under the crop insurance scheme. Inundation is covered as an insured risk for all notified crops under PMFBY. However, in the case of hydrophilic crops such as paddy, jute, mesta, and sugarcane, inundation claims are covered under the scheme except in cases of localized claims, as specified in the operational guidelines.

The clarification was provided by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, Shri Ramnath Thakur, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha, reaffirming the government's commitment to strengthening crop insurance and enhancing financial protection for farmers against natural calamities.