The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare provided clarification on risks and calamities covered under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) through a written reply in Lok Sabha by Minister of State Shri Ramnath Thakur. The crop insurance scheme, introduced in 2016-17, remains voluntary for both states and farmers, providing comprehensive risk insurance against non-preventable natural risks from pre-sowing to post-harvest for crops/areas notified by state governments.
A significant expansion allows states to notify losses caused by wild animals as an add-on cover, following requests from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and various State Governments. This coverage requires individual assessment and the costs are borne entirely by the state government, with detailed protocols provided in the scheme's Operational Guidelines.
Regarding inundation coverage, the scheme provides this risk cover for all notified crops. However, for hydrophilic crops including paddy, jute, mesta, and sugarcane, inundation coverage is available except in cases of localized claims. The clarification emphasizes that wild animal damage was previously excluded as it was considered preventable in nature, but states now have the option to include this coverage at their own expense.