Rajasthan leads India with 10 million hectares under PMFBY crop insurance
Synopsis
Rajasthan has insured more than 10 million hectares of farmland under PMFBY in 2025-26 — the highest in India — while paying out over ₹18,189 crore in claims over five years. In a state where drought and erratic monsoons are the norm, these numbers signal a genuine shift in how agricultural risk is being managed at scale.
Key Takeaways
Rajasthan insured more than 10 million hectares under PMFBY in 2025-26 — the highest absolute coverage among all Indian states.
More than 6.258 million farmers are enrolled under the scheme in Rajasthan, also the highest nationally.
Insured area covers 36 per cent of the state's gross cropped area, above the national average of 32 per cent .
Over five years, insurance claims exceeding ₹18,189 crore were paid; farmers contributed more than ₹4,650 crore in premiums — the highest in the country.
Churu recorded the highest district-level coverage at 77 per cent of gross cropped area, followed by Barmer at 69 per cent .
More than 7.53 crore policies were issued in 2024-25 and 2025-26 , covering crops worth nearly ₹1 lakh crore .
Rajasthan has claimed the top spot nationally in the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), with more than 10 million hectares brought under crop insurance coverage during 2025-26 — the highest absolute insured area among all Indian states, officials said on Wednesday, 5 August. The state has simultaneously enrolled more than 6.258 million farmers under the scheme, also the largest such enrolment in the country.
Coverage at a Glance
The insured 10 million hectares represent 36 per cent of Rajasthan's total gross cropped area of approximately 28.2 million hectares, surpassing the national average of 32 per cent. In percentage terms, Rajasthan ranks third nationally, behind only Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. This combination of absolute scale and proportional reach sets Rajasthan apart as a model implementation state for the Centre's flagship agricultural insurance programme.
Districts Leading the Charge
Several districts recorded particularly high coverage during 2025-26. Churu led with more than 1.335 million hectares insured, accounting for 77 per cent of its gross cropped area. Barmer followed with more than 1.148 million hectares covered, representing 69 per cent of its cropped area, while Bikaner crossed 0.927 million hectares. Nagaur recorded coverage of 47 per cent of its gross cropped area. These are predominantly arid and semi-arid districts, where erratic rainfall and drought risk make crop insurance especially critical for farmer livelihoods.
Five-Year Track Record
Over the five-year period leading up to 2025-26, more than 5.21 crore hectares were insured under PMFBY and the Restructured Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme in Rajasthan. During this period, farmers contributed more than ₹4,650 crore as their premium share — the highest farmer premium contribution in the country — while insurance claims exceeding ₹18,189 crore were paid to eligible farmers. More than 18.81 crore insurance applications were enrolled across the five years.
Recent Season Performance
During 2024-25 and 2025-26, across Kharif and Rabi seasons combined, more than 7.53 crore crop insurance policies were issued, covering crops valued at nearly ₹1 lakh crore. Claims amounting to more than ₹4,498 crore have been disbursed under these policies. Officials attributed the expansion to active state government outreach and simplified enrolment processes.
How PMFBY Works
The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana provides financial compensation to farmers for crop losses caused by natural disasters, adverse weather, pests, and diseases. Premiums are shared among farmers, the state government, and the Central Government, keeping the farmer's share affordable. In the event of notified crop damage, eligible farmers receive direct insurance payouts, reducing income uncertainty in a sector heavily exposed to climate variability. Rajasthan's arid geography — vulnerable to drought, hailstorms, and erratic monsoons — makes the scheme particularly consequential for the state's farming community.
With coverage expanding each season and claims settlement sustaining farmer confidence, Rajasthan's PMFBY trajectory is being watched by other states as a potential template for scaling agricultural insurance nationally.
Point of View
But the metric that matters most is not coverage area — it is claims settlement speed and farmer satisfaction, neither of which is captured in these figures. A state that leads in enrolment but lags in timely payouts would be a paper champion. The ₹18,189 crore paid over five years against ₹4,650 crore in farmer premiums suggests a positive net transfer, which is the scheme's core purpose. The real test, however, is whether the most vulnerable smallholders in Churu and Barmer — districts with near-subsistence farming — are the ones receiving those claims, or whether coverage skew favours larger landholders who are better positioned to navigate enrolment processes.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How much crop area has Rajasthan insured under PMFBY in 2025-26?
Rajasthan insured more than 10 million hectares under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana in 2025-26, the highest absolute insured area among all Indian states. This accounts for 36 per cent of the state's total gross cropped area of approximately 28.2 million hectares.
How many farmers are enrolled under PMFBY in Rajasthan?
More than 6.258 million farmers are enrolled under PMFBY in Rajasthan, the highest enrolment figure in the country. The state has consistently expanded its outreach across both Kharif and Rabi seasons.
How much has been paid out in crop insurance claims in Rajasthan?
Over the five-year period leading up to 2025-26, insurance claims exceeding ₹18,189 crore were paid to eligible farmers in Rajasthan under PMFBY and the Restructured Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme. In the more recent 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons alone, claims of more than ₹4,498 crore have been disbursed.
Which districts in Rajasthan have the highest crop insurance coverage?
Churu leads with more than 1.335 million hectares insured, covering 77 per cent of its gross cropped area. Barmer follows with more than 1.148 million hectares at 69 per cent coverage, and Nagaur recorded 47 per cent coverage of its gross cropped area.
What is the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)?
PMFBY is a Central Government crop insurance scheme that provides financial compensation to farmers for losses caused by natural disasters, adverse weather, pests, and diseases. Premiums are shared among farmers, the state government, and the Centre, keeping the farmer's contribution affordable.
