Nearly 2 Crore Odisha Farmers Secured Under PMFBY; ₹7,219 Cr Claims Settled

Bhubaneswar: Nearly 2 crore farmers in Odisha have been enrolled under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) since its inception in 2016, with insurance claims worth Rs 7,219.28 crore disbursed over nine years.

Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ramnath Thakur informed the Rajya Sabha that 197.88 lakh farmers in the state have benefited from the flagship crop insurance scheme, designed to protect against losses due to natural calamities and other risks.

Bhadrak district recorded the highest enrolment at 17.19 lakh farmers, followed by Balasore, Ganjam, Puri, Kendrapada, and Baragada.

To improve accessibility, the Centre introduced the App for Intermediary Enrolment (AIDE) in 2023, enabling paperless and cashless enrolments.

Awareness drives such as Fasal Bima Saptah and Meri Policy Mere Haath have further boosted participation.

Digital reforms like the National Crop Insurance Portal’s Digiclaim Module, integration with PFMS, and remote sensing tools have accelerated claim settlements.

From Kharif 2024, insurance companies face automatic penalties for delays, while state governments must maintain escrow accounts for premium subsidies.

Technology‑driven transparency and accountability have made PMFBY one of India’s largest social security initiatives, ensuring timely financial support to Odisha’s farming community.