The Government of India has significantly increased budget allocations, rising from Rs 11,915.22 crore in 2008-09 toRs1,22,528.77 crore in 2024-25

Byline: – Rajkumar Chahar, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha, and National President, BJP Kisan Morcha; and Pilot Neeraj Sehrawat, National In-charge – Research and Policy, BJP Kisan Morcha

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In June 2024, as Narendra Modi began his third term as Prime Minister of India, his first action set the tone for a renewed commitment to farmers. By authorising the release of the 17th installment of the PM Kisan Nidhi, he underscored his government’s enduring focus on farmer welfare. This dedication was further reinforced in the first Cabinet meeting of 2025, where significant decisions were made to bolster agricultural prosperity. Prime Minister Modi expressed his pride in India’s farmers and reaffirmed the government’s intent to empower them. Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan echoed this sentiment, envisioning the New Year as a step towards fulfilling the shared dream of a developed India. This commitment to farmer welfare takes on even greater significance when we recognise the pivotal role of women farmers in transforming India’s agricultural landscape.

Agriculture is the backbone of India’s economy, ensuring food security, employment, and rural prosperity. Over half the population relies on agriculture, and the government has consistently prioritised this sector through progressive policies and record budgetary allocations, translating into higher productivity, improved farmer incomes, and enhanced rural infrastructure. The Government of India has significantly increased budget allocations, rising from Rs 11,915.22 crore in 2008-09 toRs1,22,528.77 crore in 2024-25, demonstrating its commitment to the sector.

One of the most transformative initiatives under this vision has been the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), which marks its ninth anniversary, celebrating close to a decade of empowering the farmers of India. Launched in 2016 by Prime Minister Modi, the scheme offers a comprehensive shield against crop losses caused by unpredictable natural hazards. This protection not only stabilizes farmers’ income but also encourages them to adopt innovative practices and invest in improving their yields, knowing that their hard work is backed by a robust safety net.

Witnessing the success and potential of the scheme, the Union Cabinet in January 2025 approved the continuation of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana and the Restructured Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme till 2025-26 with a total budget ofRs69,515.71 crore. This decision is a testament to enduring faith in the scheme and the government’s resolve to build a resilient agricultural sector.

A hallmark of PMFBY’s success lies in its technological advancements. The scheme envisages the use of improved technology, including satellite imagery, drones, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and remote sensing. These technologies are employed for applications such as crop area estimation, yield disputes, and planning Crop Cutting Experiments (CCEs). The integration of technology promotes transparency, accountability, and accuracy in loss assessment, ensuring timely payment of claims. Further innovations like YES-TECH (Yield Estimation System Based on Technology), introduced from Kharif 2023, are enabling large-scale adoption of technology-based yield estimates, reducing dependence on manual assessments, and enhancing the efficiency of the insurance claim process.

The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana stands out for its farmer-friendly approach, offering affordable premiums that ensure comprehensive coverage. The maximum premium payable by farmers is capped at 2 per cent for Kharif food and oilseed crops, 1.5 per cent for Rabi crops, and 5 per cent for annual commercial or horticultural crops, with the remaining premium heavily subsidised by the government. This makes crop insurance accessible to even the smallest farmers, safeguarding their livelihoods and encouraging them to continue investing in agriculture with confidence.

The scheme covers a broad spectrum of risks, including yield losses due to natural disasters, post-harvest losses, and localised calamities like hailstorms and landslides. It also provides compensation for prevented sowing when farmers are unable to plant due to adverse weather conditions. This comprehensive coverage offers farmers a financial cushion that protects them from falling into debt traps and ensures that they can recover quickly from crop failures.

Since its launch in 2016, the PMFBY has transformed Indian agriculture by providing farmers with a comprehensive safety net against crop losses. By leveraging advanced technology, the scheme has improved transparency, accuracy, and efficiency in crop loss assessment and claim settlement. The numbers speak for themselves: in the past eight years of implementation, 63.11 crore farmer applications have been enrolled, and over 18.52 crore farmers have received claims exceeding Rs 1,65,149 crore. For every Rs 100 of premium paid by farmers, they have received about Rs 508 as a clear indication of the scheme’s efficacy and value.

This remarkable achievement has not gone unnoticed. The PMFBY is now the largest crop insurance scheme in the world in terms of farmer applications, reflecting the trust and acceptance it has garnered among the farming community. Several states have gone the extra mile, waiving off farmers’ share of premiums, thereby further reducing their financial burden and encouraging greater participation.

The Modi government’s unwavering focus on farmers, exemplified by the PMFBY and the ambitious budgetary allocations, is not just about safeguarding livelihoods but about transforming rural India into a vibrant and resilient economic powerhouse. By prioritising agricultural prosperity, the government is ensuring food security, generating rural employment and contributing to the broader goal of making India a global economic leader.

As Prime Minister Modi embarks on his third term, his continued emphasis on empowering farmers and strengthening agricultural infrastructure speaks volumes about his vision for a ‘Viksit Bharat’ — a developed India. This vision is rooted in the belief that the strength of the nation lies in the strength of its farmers, and by nurturing this backbone, India will continue its remarkable journey of progress and prosperity. The PMFBY, alongside a host of other progressive agricultural policies, is a shining example of this commitment, and its success story will undoubtedly inspire generations to come.

In conclusion, the Modi government’s agricultural initiatives reflect a deep and abiding respect for the farmers of India. By providing them with the tools, resources, and support they need to thrive, the government is not only securing the future of Indian agriculture but also ensuring that the nation reaps the benefits of a strong, resilient, and prosperous rural economy. The seeds of change sown over the past nine years are now bearing fruit, and as we look to the future, the promise of a truly ‘New India’ shines brighter than ever.