Crop Insurance to Cover Wild Animal Damage

19-Nov-2025 08:57 PM

New Delhi. Addressing a long-pending demand from farmers, the Central Government has announced that, beginning next Kharif season, the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana will cover crop damage caused by wild animals, as well as paddy crops submerged by excessive rainfall and flooding.

This crop insurance scheme was launched in 2016. Under this scheme, farmers pay a premium of 1.5 percent of the capped amount for Rabi crops and 2 percent for Kharif crops.

However, for horticultural and cash crops, the premium is 5 percent of the capped amount. The actual premium is determined each year through a bidding process for the insurer. Any amount above this amount is paid by the Central and State governments in a 50-50 ratio.

Every season, wild animals, including elephants, nilgai, deer, monkeys, and wild boars, cause significant damage to agricultural crops in various states across the country.

Wild animal damage to crops is more common in areas located near forests, hilly areas, and wildlife corridors.

A statement from the Ministry of Agriculture stated that under the revised framework, damage to crops caused by wild animals will be recognized as a fifth "add-on cover" under the local risk category.

Similarly, if the paddy crop is submerged due to floods or rain, it will also receive insurance cover. This will provide relief to farmers.