Difference between PMFBY & RWBCIS
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is a central sector scheme aimed at protecting farmers from crop losses due to natural disasters that are often unpredictable. It was launched by the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers’ Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture on 18th February 2016. It aims to provide financial assistance to farmers against the crop loss due to natural disasters (hail, drought, famine), pests, and diseases.
PMFBY also known as प्रधानमंत्री फसल बीमा योजना provides crop insurance at a cost-effective premium to all Indian farmers. This effective & affordable crop insurance product is provided through a wide network of govt. approved insurance companies and banks. The insurance scheme covers more than 50 crore Indian farmers & provides coverage for over 50 different Kharif & Rabi crops.
What is PMFBY scheme?
PMFBY (Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana) Scheme is a crop insurance scheme which can also be co-related with Atma Nirbhar Krishi (Self-Reliant Agriculture, yojana implemented in Arunachal Pradesh to provide financial assistance and subsidies to farmers). Now let us discuss about the premium rates, crops covered, sum insured, and other basic details of the PMFBY scheme.
Premium Structure of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana
2% for Kharif crops.
1.5% for Rabi crops.
5% for commercial/horticulture crops.
Objectives of प्रधानमंत्री फसल बीमा योजना
प्रधानमंत्री फसल बीमा योजना (PMFBY) is a comprehensive insurance scheme to encourage Atma Nirbhar Krishi practices across the nation and safeguard farmers from financial losses that may occur due to unpredictable natural calamities.
To educate Indian farmers about the benefits of the scheme and other related benefits, Indian govt. every year from July 1 to July 7 organise Crop Insurance Week (फसल बीमा सप्ताह) to raise awareness about the insurance.
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana provides financial assistance to farmers suffering from crop damage.
The scheme aims to stabilise the income of farmers and ensure continuance of farming practices by farmers
Farmers can try their hands on innovative agricultural practices
To ensure speedy redressal of grievances govt. established Krishi Rakshak Portal Helpline 14447 for farmers, through this platform suffering farmers can raise their concern and get adequate information regarding the scheme.
Risks Covered under the PMFBY Scheme
Yield Losses: The govt. provides insurance coverage for yield losses that are under the non-preventable risks (natural calamities), such as Flood, Drought, Storm, Hailstorm, Tornado etc.
Prevented Sowing due to Unfavourable Conditions: Insured farmers of notified areas often are restricted from planting or sowing insured crops because of unwanted weather conditions. In such cases farmers are eligible to claim up to a maximum of 25% of the sum insured.
Losses After Harvesting: Govt. provides for post-harvest losses on an individual farm basis. Coverage of up to 14 days (maximum) from harvesting for crops that are stored in “cut and spread” condition. In simple terms Govt. covers farmers whose crops are destroyed due to cyclonic rains that occurred when farmers kept them for sun-baked.
PMFBY does not cover losses due to war, nuclear risks, and preventable risks.
Eligibility
To foster the sense of Atma Nirbhar Krishi amongst the farmers across the nation, the scheme covers farmers irrespective of their age, caste, state, and crops. However, farmers must meet the eligibility criteria to enrol under the insurance scheme.
All farmers, including tenant farmers and sharecroppers growing notified crops in notified areas.
Farmers must have an insurable interest in the insured crops.
Farmers must possess a valid and authenticated land ownership certificate or a valid land tenure agreement.
The farmer must be a cultivator or sharecropper on the insured land.
The farmer must apply for insurance coverage within the prescribed time frame, usually within 2 weeks of the start of the sowing season.
Farmers must not have received compensation for the same crop loss from any other medium or source.
Requisite Documents
Passport–sized Photograph
Passbook
Identity Proof (Aadhaar Card/PAN Card/Voter ID/Bank Passbook with Photo, Kisan Photo Book/NREGA Job Card)
Address Proof (Aadhaar Card/PAN Card/Voter ID/Electricity Bill/Bank Passbook with Photo).
Evidence of Land records, as per the State Records of Right (RoR), Land Possession Certificate (LPC), and other applicable agreements, contracts notified or permitted by the state.
Declaration about the crop sown/intended to be sown.
What is RWBCIS scheme?
Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS) is another scheme focused on Atma nirbhar Kisan initiative. RWBCIS provides insurance coverage for food crops, oilseeds, commercial & horticulture crops.
Difference Between PMFBY and RWBCIS
Feature
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana
Restructured Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme
Objective
Provides financial support to farmers in case of crop loss due to natural calamities.
Provides financial protection against weather fluctuations affecting crops.
Coverage Type
Covers actual crop loss assessment based on yield measurement.
Covers predefined weather parameters such as rainfall, temperature, humidity, etc.
Basis of Insurance
Based on actual crop yield measured through Crop Cutting Experiments (CCEs).
Based on weather indices such as deficit/excess rainfall, temperature extremes, etc.
Claim Settlement
Based on yield loss assessment conducted by the government and insurance companies.
Based on deviation in predefined weather conditions recorded at weather stations.
Assessment Authority
Crop loss assessment conducted by State Governments, Joint Committees, and Insurance Companies.
Weather-based assessment conducted through IMD/authorized weather stations.
Risk Covered
Covers localized risks like drought, flood, pest infestation, hailstorms, etc.
Covers weather-related risks like unseasonal rainfall, heatwaves, cold waves, etc.
Premium Structure of Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS)
2% for Kharif crops.
1.5% for Rabi crops.
5% for commercial/horticulture crops.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which crops are not covered under PMFBY?
Under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) crops like coffee, rubber, and tea are not covered. Crops in non-notified areas are also not covered under the insurance scheme.
Which equipment is used by experts to provide real-time weather data for RWBCIS?
Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) installed in the insurance unit to measure real-time weather parameters are used for data under RWBCIS scheme.
Do the farmers in Himachal Pradesh need to pay premium for their crop under the PMFBY?
No farmers in Himachal Pradesh along with other north-eastern states like Jammu & Kashmir get 100% subsidy from the govt. for all the notified crops.
