Lok Sabha Question No. 351 (STARRED), answered on 2026-03-17
Subject: Expansion of PMFBY in Desert Areas
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Ummeda Ram Beniwal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 351

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 17 TH  MARCH, 2026

## EXPANSION OF PMFBY IN DESERT AREA

*351. SHRI UMMEDA RAM BENIWAL:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण मंũी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to expand the coverage of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima  Yojana  (PMFBY)  in  desert  areas  where  farmers  face  recurring  drought  and sandstorms;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether any special provisions are being considered for small and marginal farmers in the State of Rajasthan and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण मंũी (SHRI SHIVRAJ SINGH CHAUHAN)

- (a) to (  c):  A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO PART (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 351 FOR 17 TH  MARCH, 2026  REGARDING EXPENSION OF PMFBY IN DESERT AREAS

(a) & (b) : The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), introduced in the country from Kharif 2016 season, is already available for all areas including desert areas.  The scheme is  voluntary  for  the  States  and  the  State  with  major  desert  area  namely,  Rajasthan  is implementing the scheme since its inception.

Year-wise details of area insured in major desert districts of Rajasthan during last five year under PMFBY is given below  :

| District       |   Area Insured (In Lakh Ha.) |   Area Insured (In Lakh Ha.) |   Area Insured (In Lakh Ha.) |   Area Insured (In Lakh Ha.) |   Area Insured (In Lakh Ha.) |
|----------------|------------------------------|------------------------------|------------------------------|------------------------------|------------------------------|
|                |                      2020    |                      2021    |                      2022    |                      2023    |                      2024    |
| Barmer         |                        11.99 |                        11.98 |                         9.78 |                        10.55 |                        11.45 |
| Bikaner        |                         8.24 |                        10.12 |                        10.05 |                         8.88 |                         9.28 |
| Churu          |                        10.3  |                        11.97 |                        13.07 |                        13.81 |                        13.46 |
| Hanumangarh    |                         7.76 |                         7.97 |                         7.12 |                         7.89 |                         7.81 |
| Jaisalmer      |                         5.07 |                         5.64 |                         6.07 |                         4.81 |                         4.31 |
| Jalore         |                         5.02 |                         4.62 |                         5.16 |                         5.36 |                         4.55 |
| Jhunjhunu      |                         2.76 |                         2.62 |                         2.68 |                         2.77 |                         2.89 |
| Jodhpur        |                         6.25 |                         5.5  |                         5.66 |                         4.83 |                         5.38 |
| Nagaur         |                         6.08 |                         5.32 |                         5.64 |                         5.53 |                         6.49 |
| Pali           |                         2.36 |                         2.6  |                         2.83 |                         2.42 |                         2.25 |
| Sikar          |                         3.22 |                         2.35 |                         2.5  |                         2.67 |                         2.92 |
| Sri Ganganagar |                         4.71 |                         4.01 |                         4.32 |                         4.22 |                         4.47 |

The coverage under the scheme is progressively increasing in these districts.

(c):  All the provisions and benefits of the scheme are available for all farmers including Small and Marginal farmers growing crop in the areas notified by the concerned State/UT Government and during 2024-25, 88% of farmers enrolled under the scheme are small and marginal farmers including State of  Rajasthan.   Since  inception  3.67  crore  farmer applications of Rajasthan have received  Rs. 31,554.48 crore claims which includes small and marginal farmers.

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