Lok Sabha Question No. 2750 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-01
Subject: Inclusion of PMFBY in Agriculture Sector
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: MEKAPATI RAJAMOHAN REDDY, RAHUL KASWAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2750

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  1 ST  AUGUST, 2017

## INCLUSION OF PMFBY IN AGRICULTURE SECTOR

2750.  SHRI M. RAJA MOHAN REDDY: SHRI RAHUL KASWAN:

Will  the  Minister  of  AGRICULTURE  AND  FARMERS  WELFARE      ‡ãðŠãäÓã एवं  कसान कयाण ½ãâ¨ããè be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  risk  assessment  and  other  data  is  shared  with  Agriculture  Insurance Company of India and other private sector insurance companies and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  an  announcement  has  been  made  about  inclusion  of  Pradhan  Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana in agriculture sector but Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana is not being implemented at present;
- (c) the number of farmers included under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana at present  along  with  the  number  of  farmers  which  have  been  provided  insurance coverage; and
- (d) the steps taken by the Government to cover more farmers under the scheme?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF  STATE IN THE  MINISTRY OF  AGRICULTURE AND  FARMERS  WELFARE

‡ãðŠãäÓã एवं  कसान  कयाण ½ãâ¨ããÊã¾ã  ½ãñâ  Àã·¾ã  ½ãâ¨ããè (  SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

- (a): Yes,  Madam.  Selection  of  insurance  company  for  implementation  of  Pradhan Mantri  Fasal  Bima  Yojana  (PMFBY)  is  made  through  bidding  process  by  the concerned State Government.  To assess the risk and quote rates in bidding  yield data of past 10 years is provided to the  Agriculture Insurance Company of India Ltd. (AIC) and other private insurance companies to create competitiveness and to provide benefits of low premium rates and services of these companies.
- (b) & (c): After detailed review of erstwhile Crop Insurance Schemes in consultation with  all  the  stakeholders,  Government  has  already    launched  improved  and  farmer friendly  Pradhan  Mantri  Fasal  Bima  Yojana  (PMFBY)  from  Kharif  2016  season.    To make  the  scheme  more  advantageous  for  farmers,  many  innovative  solutions  like coverage  for  pre-sowing  to  post-harvest  losses,  one  premium  for  all  crops  in  a season, reduction in   premium to be paid by the  farmers,  removal of cap on premium

which had earlier led to reduction in sum insured vis-à-vis claims, if any; equating the sum insured with Scale of Finance for maximum risk coverage of farmers, on account payment for mid-season adversities, farm level claim assessment in respect of localized calamities  of  hailstorm,  landslide  &  inundation  and  post-harvest  losses  etc.  has  been introduced from Kharif 2016 season to provide relief to farmers under the scheme.

During first one year of implementation of PMFBY, about 574 lakh farmers over an area of 581 lakh hectares have been covered under the scheme.

(d): To  enhance  the  awareness  among  farmers  to  increase  their  coverage  under Pradhan  Mantri  Fasal  Bima  Yojana  (PMFBY)  among  all  the  stakeholders  including farmers, Government  is undertaking a comprehensive publicity and awareness programme  to  educate  the  farmers  about  the  benefit  of  crop  insurance  schemes. Capacity  building  and  training  programmes  for  other  stakeholders  are  also  being organized.      The  salient  activities  under  awareness  campaign  involve  the  publicity  of features  &  benefits  of  the  scheme  through  advertisements  in  leading  National/local News  Papers,  telecast  through  audio-visual  media,  distribution  of  pamphlets  in  local languages, participation in agriculture fairs / mela/goshti and organization of workshops /  trainings  and SMS through Kisan Portal etc. State Governments/UTs are also being regularly persuaded to increase the coverage including notifying more crops under crop Insurance  schemes.  One  day  seminar/kisan  fair  especially  on  the  PMFBY  has  also been organized at various Krishi Vigyan Kendras  (KVKs). In addition, several communications have also been sent to the public representatives including Members of Parliament, representatives of Panchayti Raj Institutions etc.

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