Farmers’ Experiences with PMFBY: An Analysis of Adoption Constraints in Haryana

Description

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19553162

Jyoti, Jatesh Kathpalia, and Era Lamba (Department of Sociology, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana)

India’s agricultural sector is highly exposed to risks such as unpredictable weather conditions, pest and disease outbreaks, and market instability. In this context, crop insurance serves as an important mechanism for managing agricultural risk. The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), introduced in 2016, aims to safeguard farmers by providing financial compensation against crop losses. However, the adoption of this scheme varies significantly across different crops and regions. The present study investigates the constraints influencing the adoption of PMFBY among farmers in four districts of Haryana-Hisar, Fatehabad, Kaithal, and Kurukshetra. A total of 320 farmers were selected, and data were collected using a structured interview schedule. The results indicate that wheat and rice constitute the major share of insured crop area, whereas crops such as gram, barley, sunflower, maize, and bajra have comparatively low levels of insurance coverage. Farmers also reported several economic and technical challenges, including delays in claim settlement, weak coordination among concerned institutions, poor internet connectivity, and limited extension services. The study emphasizes the importance of strengthening institutional collaboration, improving digital infrastructure, and enhancing farmer awareness programmes to increase participation in crop insurance schemes.