SRINAGAR: With the spectre of severe drought looming large over Jammu and Kashmir, threatening to devastate paddy cultivation and inflict significant financial hardship on its farming community, authorities are vigorously promoting the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) crop insurance scheme. This crucial initiative, now operational across all 20 districts, is being highlighted as an essential lifeline for farmers facing imminent crop losses.
The current dry spell has cast a long shadow over the region’s agricultural landscape, particularly impacting paddy, a cornerstone crop. Farmers are bracing for reduced yields and substantial financial setbacks, prompting urgent calls for widespread awareness and adoption of the PMFBY scheme.
The PMFBY scheme is designed to offer comprehensive risk coverage for crops against a range of non-preventable natural calamities, including the very drought conditions currently afflicting the region. Its protective embrace extends from the sowing period right through to post-harvest, providing an affordable and indispensable safety net for farmers navigating the unpredictable challenges of climate change.
Core Provisions and Advantages of PMFBY in Jammu and Kashmir are too many.
Firstly, all farmers who have availed Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loans for the notified crops, which include Paddy, Maize, Wheat, and Oilseed, are automatically enrolled under the scheme. However, they retain the option to opt out by submitting a written consent. For those farmers who have not taken KCC loans, enrolment is made accessible through Common Service Centres (CSCs).
Secondly, the scheme offers extensive coverage for crop losses stemming from various natural disasters. This includes, but is not limited to, hailstorms, the current excessive drought conditions, pest infestations, disease outbreaks, landslides, natural fires ignited by lightning, and inundation.
Thirdly, in the unfortunate event of localised crop losses due to incidents like hailstorms, landslides, natural fire, or inundation, farmers are required to inform their respective insurance companies via the Krishi Rakshak Portal (KRPH) toll-free number (1447) within 72 hours of the calamity. Failure to report within this timeframe may lead to the rejection of the claim, as per PMFBY operational guidelines.
Fourthly, the scheme is implemented on a block-wise insurance unit basis within each district, ensuring localised and effective coverage.
Fifthly, and particularly relevant given the prevailing conditions, losses arising from excessive drought and pest or disease attacks are assessed and covered at the time of harvesting. This assessment is based on scientific crop cut estimations, with 16 crop cuts mandated per block to accurately determine yield losses.
The implementation of the PMFBY scheme in Jammu and Kashmir is currently being managed by four prominent insurance providers: Kshema General Insurance, Agriculture Insurance Company of India, Reliance General Insurance, and Bajaj General Insurance.
For the ongoing Kharif season, the scheme extends its protection to Paddy and Maize crops. During the subsequent Rabi season, Oilseed, specifically Mustard, and Wheat crops will be covered.
Farmers across all districts of Jammu and Kashmir who wish to secure insurance for their Paddy and Maize crops for the current Kharif season must complete their enrollment by July 31, 2025.
The premium payable by farmers constitutes a small fraction of the Sum Insured, with the Central and State governments jointly subsidising the remaining portion. The district-wise premium rates for one hectare of land (equivalent to 20 Kanals) and the corresponding Sum Insured values are detailed as follows:
For the Paddy crop, the farmer premium is 2 per cent of the Sum Insured. In Anantnag, Jammu, Samba, and Udhampur, the premium stands at Rs 2,424 with a Sum Insured of Rs 1,21,200. For Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam, Srinagar, Budgam, Baramulla, Bandipora, Kupwara, and Ganderbal, the premium is Rs 1,672 against a Sum Insured of Rs 83,580. In Kathua, Ramban, Kishtwar, Doda, Reasi, Rajouri, and Poonch, the premium is Rs 1,500 for a Sum Insured of Rs 75,000.
For the maize crop, the farmer premium is also 2 per cent of the Sum Insured. Anantnag, Jammu, Samba, and Udhampur see a premium of Rs 1,762 with a Sum Insured of Rs 1,17,460. For Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam, Srinagar, Budgam, Baramulla, Bandipora, Kupwara, and Ganderbal, the premium is Rs 893 against a Sum Insured of Rs 59,500. In Kathua, Ramban, Kishtwar, Doda, Reasi, Rajouri, and Poonch, the premium is Rs 1,200 for a Sum Insured of Rs 60,000.
For Rabi season crops, the farmer premium for Wheat is 1.5 per cent of the Sum Insured. In Jammu, Samba, and Udhampur, the premium is Rs 1,753 with a Sum Insured of Rs 1,16,840. For Kathua, Ramban, Kishtwar, Doda, Reasi, Rajouri, and Poonch, the premium is Rs 900 for a Sum Insured of Rs 60,000.
For Oithe lseed (Mustard) crop, also at 1.5 per cent of the Sum Insured, Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam, Srinagar, Budgam, Baramulla, Bandipora, Kupwara, and Ganderbal have a premium of Rs 729 for a Sum Insured of Rs 48,600. Anantnag specifically has a premium of Rs 1,753 with a Sum Insured of Rs 1,16,840 for Oilseed.
The successful execution of PMFBY in Jammu and Kashmir hinges on the seamless coordination among its key stakeholders. These include the State and Central governments, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Revenue, the Jammu and Kashmir Level Bankers Committee (UTLBC), various banks, Common Service Centres (CSCs), Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), KCC loan-providing financial institutions, and the implementing insurance companies.
In light of the pressing drought conditions, it is paramount that every farmer in Jammu and Kashmir becomes aware of the PMFBY scheme and takes proactive steps to enrol before the July 31, 2025, deadline for Kharif crops. This vital insurance offers a much-needed financial shield, enabling them to weather the current agricultural crisis and secure their livelihoods against future unforeseen challenges.
JK Bank, on May 27, 2025, issued a crucial reminder to farmers across Jammu & Kashmir concerning the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) for the Kharif 2025 season, urging them to either enrol in the government-backed crop insurance scheme or formally opt out before the approaching deadlines. The bank’s circular highlighted that July 31, 2025, is the final date for enrollment, while farmers, particularly those utilising the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loan facility, must submit their “opt-out” declarations by July 24, 2025, to avoid automatic enrollment for the Kharif 2025 season. -(KL)
