Parliament Question: Expansion of PMFBY in Desert Areas

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 351 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 17TH MARCH, 2026 EXPANSION OF PMFBY IN DESERT AREA *351. SHRI UMMEDA RAM BENIWAL: Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण मं(cid:361)ी be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government proposes to expand the coverage of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) in desert areas where farmers face recurring drought and sandstorms; (b) if so, the details thereof; and (c) whether any special provisions are being considered for small and marginal farmers in the State of Rajasthan and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण मं(cid:361)ी (SHRI SHIVRAJ SINGH CHAUHAN) (a) to ( c): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.STATEMENT REFERRED TO PART (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 351 FOR 17TH MARCH, 2026 REGARDING EXPENSION OF PMFBY IN DESERT AREAS (a) & (b) : The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), introduced in the country from Kharif 2016 season, is already available for all areas including desert areas. The scheme is voluntary for the States and the State with major desert area namely, Rajasthan is implementing the scheme since its inception. Year-wise details of area insured in major desert districts of Rajasthan during last five year under PMFBY is given below : District Area Insured (In Lakh Ha.) 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Barmer 11.99 11.98 9.78 10.55 11.45 Bikaner 8.24 10.12 10.05 8.88 9.28 Churu 10.30 11.97 13.07 13.81 13.46 Hanumangarh 7.76 7.97 7.12 7.89 7.81 Jaisalmer 5.07 5.64 6.07 4.81 4.31 Jalore 5.02 4.62 5.16 5.36 4.55 Jhunjhunu 2.76 2.62 2.68 2.77 2.89 Jodhpur 6.25 5.50 5.66 4.83 5.38 Nagaur 6.08 5.32 5.64 5.53 6.49 Pali 2.36 2.60 2.83 2.42 2.25 Sikar 3.22 2.35 2.50 2.67 2.92 Sri Ganganagar 4.71 4.01 4.32 4.22 4.47 The coverage under the scheme is progressively increasing in these districts. (c): All the provisions and benefits of the scheme are available for all farmers including Small and Marginal farmers growing crop in the areas notified by the concerned State/UT Government and during 2024-25, 88% of farmers enrolled under the scheme are small and marginal farmers including State of Rajasthan. Since inception 3.67 crore farmer applications of Rajasthan have received Rs. 31,554.48 crore claims which includes small and marginal farmers. ******