Bhubaneswar, July 24 (UDN): Nearly two crore farmers in Odisha have been covered under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) since its launch in 2016, with insurance claims worth ₹7,219.28 crore disbursed to beneficiaries over the past nine years, the Centre informed the Rajya Sabha.
In a written reply to a question by BJD Rajya Sabha MP Manas Ranjan Mangaraj, Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ramnath Thakur said 197.88 lakh farmers in Odisha had enrolled under the flagship crop insurance scheme between 2016-17 and June 30, 2026.
Major Crop Insurance Coverage
The minister said PMFBY remains a voluntary and demand-driven scheme for both states and farmers, aimed at protecting cultivators against crop losses arising from natural calamities and other notified risks.
To enhance its effectiveness, the Centre has introduced several reforms in recent years to simplify enrolment, expand coverage and expedite insurance claim settlements.
Bhadrak Tops Farmer Enrolment
According to district-wise data shared in Parliament, Bhadrak recorded the highest enrolment under the scheme with 17.19 lakh farmers, followed by:
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Balasore: 14.98 lakh
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Ganjam: 14.37 lakh
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Puri: 12.09 lakh
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Kendrapada: 12.01 lakh
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Bargarh: 11.55 lakh
Other districts with significant participation include Kalahandi (9.31 lakh), Balangir (9.17 lakh), Angul (8.71 lakh) and Sundargarh (8.62 lakh).
Digital Initiatives Improve Access
The Centre has strengthened implementation of the scheme through digital platforms such as the App for Intermediary Enrolment (AIDE), introduced during the Kharif 2023 season.
The application enables insurance intermediaries to enrol farmers at their doorstep through a completely paperless and cashless process, making crop insurance more accessible in rural areas.
To boost awareness, the government has also organised campaigns including Fasal Bima Saptah, Fasal Bima Pathshalas and the ‘Meri Policy Mere Haath’ initiative, under which insured farmers receive physical copies of their insurance policies.
Faster, Transparent Claim Settlement
The minister said the National Crop Insurance Portal (NCIP) has been integrated with the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) and insurance companies through the Digiclaim Module, enabling quicker and more transparent settlement of claims.
To improve accountability, the Centre has introduced stricter timelines. From Kharif 2024, insurance companies are required to pay a 12 per cent penalty for delays in claim settlement. Beginning Kharif 2025, state governments will also face a 12 per cent penalty if they delay releasing their share of premium subsidies.
States have additionally been directed to maintain escrow accounts for timely deposit of premium subsidies to ensure smooth claim processing.
Technology-Driven Crop Assessment
The government is increasingly relying on technology to improve crop loss assessment under PMFBY. Digital tools such as the CCE-Agri App, YES-TECH for remote sensing-based yield estimation, Crop Loss Assessment App (CLAP) and integration of land records with the National Crop Insurance Portal are being used to enhance transparency, accuracy and efficiency in crop insurance implementation.
The Centre said these reforms are aimed at strengthening the crop insurance ecosystem, ensuring faster financial assistance to farmers and improving resilience against agricultural risks.
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