13 hrs ago
Crop Insurance Enrolment Rises as West Bengal Rejoins Scheme
Crop insurance helps farmers receive money if their crops are damaged by bad weather, pests or diseases.
More farmers joined the government’s insurance scheme during the 2026 kharif season.
The scheme covered 27.3 million farmers and nearly 29.7 million hectares of farmland.
West Bengal joined the national scheme again after using its own insurance programme for several years.
More than 3.2 million West Bengal farmers enrolled this season.
Farmers and governments were also worried about weak rainfall and a possible El Niño weather pattern.
Rainfall was below normal in June and August.
Officials and insurers encouraged more farmers to obtain coverage, including through farm loans.
The scheme allows farmers to pay only a small share of the insurance premium.
The government and states pay the remaining subsidized amount.
PMFBY enrolment rose nearly one-fifth to 27.3 million farmers during the 2026 kharif season.
PMFBY and RWBCIS covered 29.7 million hectares across 25 states and Union territories.
The schemes received 10.6 crore applications and insured crops worth ₹1.86 trillion.
West Bengal’s return to PMFBY contributed more than 3.2 million participating farmers.
Lower rainfall, El Niño concerns and expanded digital claim payments encouraged wider participation.
- Who
- The Centre, state governments, farmers, insurers and the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana were involved; West Bengal farmers newly rejoined the national scheme.
- What
- Enrolment in the government’s crop-insurance schemes increased to 27.3 million farmers during the 2026 kharif season.
- Where
- Across 25 Indian states and Union territories, including West Bengal.
- When
- During the 2026 kharif season; rainfall data cited covered 1 June to 29 September.
- Why
- Concerns about deficient rainfall, El Niño and crop losses encouraged wider insurance coverage, while West Bengal’s return increased participation.
Key facts
- Farmers covered
- 27.3 million during the 2026 kharif season
- Area covered
- 29.7 million hectares across 25 states and Union territories
- Applications
- 10.6 crore applications
- Total sum insured
- ₹1.86 trillion
- West Bengal participation
- More than 3.2 million farmers opted for PMFBY after the state rejoined
- Rainfall
- Cumulative rainfall from 1 June to 29 September was 12% below normal
- Farmer premium rates
- 2% for kharif crops, 1.5% for rabi crops, and 5% for commercial and horticultural crops
Quotes
Ashish Agrawal
Head of agri business at Bajaj General Insurance
“The increase in PMFBY enrolment can be attributed to a few clear factors. The possibility of El Niño and deficient rainfall led the government and state administrations to closely track enrollment and push for wider coverage, including through greater coverage of Kisan Credit Card loans under PMFBY”
livemint.com
“The key reason for the increase in beneficiaries is the complete digitisation of the scheme and the payment of claims through direct benefit transfer (DBT)”
livemint.com
Sushmita Dev
BJP parliamentarian from West Bengal
“The rise in participation after West Bengal joined the PM Fasal Bima Yojana shows that people wanted to be part of the scheme, and that has now been demonstrated”
livemint.com
Sources
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