If you're farming on someone else’s land, you’re a tenant farmer. But just because the land isn’t in your name doesn’t mean you can’t get crop insurance.
The good news is: you can still apply for the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) by following a few simple steps.
What do you need?
To apply for crop insurance, you must prove that you’re growing crops on that land. You will need:
Aadhaar card
Land lease papers or a letter from the landowner
Bank account details
Sowing certificate (you can get this from your village Patwari or local agriculture officer)
Where to apply?
You can apply through:
Your nearest Common Service Centre (CSC)
The official PMFBY website
Local banks that offer this service
Agriculture offices in your area
If you’re not sure, go to your CSC or Krishi Sahayak. They will help you.
What does the insurance cover?
If your crops are damaged by flood, drought, pests, or hail, the government gives money to cover the loss. But remember, this is not full compensation. It’s meant to reduce the burden, not cover 100% of your cost.
What risks are covered
PMFBY protects your crops from many problems:
Damage during sowing or germination due to heavy rain or drought. This pays up to 25% of the insured amount.
Crop failures from storms, hail, pests, drought, floods, lightning, or fire. This is full yield-protection.
Post-harvest losses if your crops are drying in the field and are damaged within 14 days.
Localised disasters like hailstorms or landslides that affect only your farm.
In some states, losses caused by wild animals are also covered.
What is not covered
Theft or damage from grazing animals
Losses due to riots, war, nuclear risks
Any damage caused by negligence or poor farming practices
Losses that happen when crops are already bundled before threshing
Areas that are not officially declared eligible for PMFBY
When to apply?
You must apply before the sowing season ends. Keep an eye on the dates announced in your area. These are different for each crop and state.
If you're working hard year-round, you deserve the protection. Don’t miss out on crop insurance just because you don’t own land. With the right papers and some local help, you can get covered too.
Disclaimer: Insurance content sourced by ZIBPL.
