Description

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Picture Courtesy: Jaagrukbharat

Context:

The Union Government extended the coverage of the PM Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) to include crop damage by animals.

Details

The Union government has expanded PMFBY to include crop damage caused by animals (e.g., stray cattle, wild boars, elephants) as a valid ground for insurance payouts. This addresses a long-standing demand from farmers facing economic losses due to human-animal conflicts.

Implementation: States can notify animal-induced damage on a case-by-case basis as an add-on cover.
Tech Integration: ISRO tools (e.g., YES-TECH app) will assess damage for faster claim settlements.

Animal-related crop damage

Experts say animal protection laws in many states, which restrict interstate cattle trade, have led to a rise in stray cattle populations. The destruction of wildlife habitats, such as elephant corridors, has increased human-animal conflicts, resulting in crop damage.

A 2018 study by the Indian Council for Agricultural Research found that wildlife like elephants, boars, and nilgai destroy 30-50% of cereals and horticultural crops in 10 states. This has caused significant economic losses for farmers.

Farmers have repeatedly demanded that such damages be covered under insurance. This change will provide them financial relief and reduce economic losses.

States will now be allowed to notify crop losses caused by wild animals on an individual assessment basis. These losses will be covered as an add-on under the PMFBY scheme, allowing farmers to claim insurance coverage for such damages.

About the PM Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)

It was launched in February 2016 to provide financial protection against crop loss from natural disasters, pests, and diseases.

Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare

Key Objectives

Stabilize farmers’ income and ensure continuity in farming.

Promote modern agricultural practices and crop diversification.

Protect farmers from production risks (e.g., droughts, floods).

Enhance creditworthiness and growth in the agriculture sector.

Eligibility

Category	Coverage
Loanee Farmers	Compulsory for those availing Seasonal Agricultural Operations (SAO) loans.
Non-Loanee Farmers	Voluntary (optional).
Others	Sharecroppers, tenant farmers with insurable interest in notified crops.
Documentation	Valid land ownership certificate or tenure agreement required.
Exclusions	No coverage if compensation received from other sources.
Focus Groups	Special emphasis on SC/ST, women, and smallholder farmers.

Benefits

Affordable Premiums:

Kharif crops: 2% premium (e.g., rice, maize).
Rabi crops: 1.5% premium (e.g., wheat, mustard).
Horticulture/Commercial crops: 5% premium.
Subsidy: Balance premium paid by central/state governments (e.g., NE states, J&K, HP pay zero premium).

Comprehensive Coverage:

Natural calamities (droughts, floods, cyclones).
Pest/disease attacks, post-harvest losses (hailstorms, landslides).
Exclusions: War, nuclear risks, preventable damage.

Tech-Driven Implementation:

YES-TECH: Satellite-based yield estimation.
CROPIC: Geotagged photos for crop verification.
National Crop Insurance Portal (NCIP): Digitized enrollment and claim processing.

Timely Compensation: Claims processed within 2 months of harvest.

Must Read Articles:

PRADHAN MANTRI FASAL BIMA YOJANA (PMFBY)

PRADHAN MANTRI FASAL BIMA YOJANA

KERALA CLASSIFIED MAN-ANIMAL CONFLICT AS STATE DISASTER

HUMAN ANIMAL CONFLICT

Source:

HINDUSTAN TIMES

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Analyze the factors contributing to the rise in animal-induced crop damage and how government policies can mitigate these issues. 150 words