Crop Insurance for Bihar Farmers: PMFBY Returns From Rabi 2026–27
A single flood, hailstorm or dry spell can wipe out a season's work. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is the government's crop insurance scheme, and according to a Government of India update dated 29 August 2026, Bihar has decided to implement it again starting with the Rabi 2026–27 season. That makes this the right time to learn how it works. This post is part of our money guide for Bihar farmers.
What a farmer pays
The farmer's premium is capped, and the government pays the rest:
| Crop type | Farmer pays (maximum) |
|---|---|
| Kharif foodgrain and oilseed crops | 2% of the sum insured |
| Rabi foodgrain and oilseed crops | 1.5% of the sum insured |
| Commercial and horticultural crops | 5% of the sum insured |
The Centre and the state share the remaining premium equally (50:50) in most states.
An illustration, using made-up numbers: if the sum insured on your wheat is ₹50,000 and the rabi rate is 1.5%, your premium is ₹750. Your actual sum insured is fixed by the district and the crop, so ask your bank or CSC for the figure.
What PMFBY covers
- Yield losses on standing crops from drought, dry spells, floods, inundation, cyclones, hailstorms, lightning, pests and diseases. These are assessed on a notified-area basis.
- Prevented sowing: if bad weather stops you from sowing after you have spent money, claims are available up to a maximum of 25% of the sum insured.
- Post-harvest losses: crops left to dry in the field after cutting are covered for up to 14 days against specified cyclonic and unseasonal rain events.
- Local calamities at the individual farm level, such as hailstorm, landslide, inundation, cloudburst and natural fire, under specified conditions.
Not covered: war, nuclear risks, riots, theft, losses caused by negligence or other preventable risks, losses outside the crop's life cycle, and crops in areas not notified for that season.
Who can enrol
- Loanee farmers (those with an active crop loan or Kisan Credit Card) are enrolled through their bank, and the premium is deducted from the loan amount.
- Non-loanee farmers can enrol voluntarily. The government says that over the last ten years, on average about half of insured farmers enrolled this way.
- Tenant farmers and sharecroppers are included, subject to conditions such as valid tenure papers or a sowing certificate.
You need an insurable interest in the crop, the land or tenancy papers your state requires, and you must apply before the cut-off date. A missed deadline means no cover for that season.
How to enrol
- Visit your bank branch, a Common Service Centre (CSC), or the official PMFBY website or app.
- Carry your Aadhaar, land or tenancy papers, bank details and the crop you sowed.
- Pay the premium and keep the receipt and policy number.
If you hold a crop loan and do not want insurance, check with your bank well before the cut-off date. Rules on opting out apply, and each state sets its own process.
If your crop is damaged
Report the loss immediately, through the crop insurance app, the helpline or your bank, with photographs if you can. For local calamities such as hailstorm or flooding, the reporting window is short, commonly 72 hours, so do not wait for the harvest. Ask the bank or insurance company for the exact period on your policy.
What we could not confirm
At the time of writing we found no official Bihar notification of the rabi 2026–27 enrolment dates, the crop-wise list for each district or the sum insured per crop. Websites quote different dates, so we have not listed any. Ask your bank, CSC or district agriculture office, and enrol early.
Next: Kisan Credit Card loans and where to keep small savings.
This is general information, not financial advice. Cover, premiums and deadlines are set each season and vary by crop and district. Confirm the current terms before you enrol.
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