Parliament Question: Impact of Changing Weather Patterns on Horticulture in Himachal Pradesh

**Executive Summary** This document is the answer to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 611, to be answered on February 3, 2026, regarding the impact of changing weather patterns on horticulture in Himachal Pradesh. It details the government's assessment and mitigation efforts, including the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS), and funds spent under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH). **Key Points / Main Content** * **Government Initiatives:** * The Government of India is implementing the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS) from Kharif 2016 to mitigate financial losses from crop failure due to natural calamities. These are voluntary schemes. * The Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, is being implemented by the Government of India from 2014-15 for holistic growth of the horticulture sector. * **Claims Data (Himachal Pradesh):** * The document provides details of claims reported, paid, and pending under PMFBY and RWBCIS for the years 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25. For each year, claims are broken down by Kharif and Rabi seasons. * Data includes the number of applications benefited from each scheme for the specified periods. * **Expenditure Data (Himachal Pradesh):** * Details of funds spent under MIDH to the State of Himachal Pradesh during last three years. * 2022-23: Rs. 25.48 crore. * 2023-24: Rs. 20.45 crore. * 2024-25: Rs. 12.00 crore. * **Premium Rates and Sharing:** * Actuarial premium rates are charged by implementing agencies under PMFBY. * Farmers pay a maximum of 2% of the sum insured for Kharif crops, 1.5% for Rabi crops, and 5% for commercial/horticultural crops. * The remaining premium is shared between the Central and State Governments on a 50:50 basis. * For hilly states including Himachal Pradesh (from Kharif 2023) and North Eastern States (from Kharif 2020), the premium sharing pattern is 90:10 (Centre: State). **Impact Analysis** **Stakeholder: Farmers in Himachal Pradesh** * **Impact:** Farmers are affected by crop losses due to changing weather patterns, erratic rainfall, and hailstorms. The insurance schemes (PMFBY and RWBCIS) aim to provide financial protection against these losses. Changes to the central and state government sharing patterns of premiums for insurance policies also affect farmers in the region. * **Action Required:** Farmers need to be aware of the PMFBY and RWBCIS schemes and their applicability, enroll in the schemes to protect their crops, and file claims in case of crop losses due to natural calamities. **Stakeholder: State Government of Himachal Pradesh** * **Impact:** The State Government is responsible for implementing the PMFBY and RWBCIS schemes, MIDH, and disbursing funds to farmers. It shares the premium burden with the Central Government for the insurance schemes. * **Action Required:** The State Government needs to effectively implement the insurance schemes, process claims promptly, and allocate funds for horticulture development under the MIDH scheme. They also need to be aware of the changing premium sharing patterns and adjust their contributions accordingly.

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