Solution

The government of India in 2016, launched the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) after scraping down the earlier insurance schemes viz. Modified National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (MNAIS), Weather-based Crop Insurance scheme, and the National Agriculture Insurance Scheme (NAIS). Annual Commercial / Annual Horticultural crops, oilseeds, and food crops (Cereals, Millets, and Pulses) are covered under the scheme. There will be a uniform premium of only 2% to be paid by farmers for all Kharif crops and 1.5% for all Rabi crops. In case of annual commercial and horticultural crops, the premium to be paid by farmers will be only 5%. The premium rates to be paid by farmers are very low and balance premium will be paid by the Government to provide full insured amount to the farmers against crop loss on account of natural calamities. Objectives of the Scheme are- •           To provide insurance coverage and financial support to the farmers in the event of failure of any of the notified crop as a result of natural calamities, pests & diseases. •           To stabilise the income of farmers to ensure their continuance in farming. •           To encourage farmers to adopt innovative and modern agricultural practices. •           To ensure flow of credit to the agriculture sector.