उदाThis information is based on publicly available details on the PMFBY portal of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare as of September 2026. Premium rates, crops, and cut-off dates vary by district and season — always check pmfby.gov.in for current information before applying.
Madhepura district lies in the Kosi river's flood-affected area, where farmers face the risk of crop damage from floods or unusual rainfall every year. The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) gives farmers crop insurance cover at a very low premium — compensation is paid for losses from floods, drought, pest attacks, or other natural calamities.
Premium rates (farmer's share)
| Crop category | Farmer's premium |
|---|---|
| Kharif crops (paddy, etc.) | 2% of sum insured |
| Rabi crops (wheat, pulses, oilseeds) | 1.5% of sum insured |
| Commercial/horticultural crops | 5% of sum insured |
The remaining premium is shared between the central and state governments. For example, if the sum insured for paddy is ₹50,000 per hectare, the farmer pays only about ₹1,000 per hectare in premium.
How to apply
- Register yourself on pmfby.gov.in, or apply through your nearest bank branch or Common Service Centre (CSC)
- Submit Aadhaar, bank account details, land documents (khata-khesra/jamabandi), and a sowing certificate
- Pay the fixed premium amount based on your crop and season (Kharif/Rabi)
- Compensation is calculated automatically based on Crop Cutting Experiments or a notified calamity
How claims are paid
If widespread damage occurs due to a notified natural calamity (such as a Kosi flood), the state government and insurance company jointly calculate compensation for the affected area based on Crop Cutting Experiments, and the amount is transferred directly to the farmer's bank account via DBT. For localised damage (such as hailstorm damage to an individual field), you must report it within 72 hours via the toll-free number or portal.
Required documents
- Aadhaar card
- Bank passbook
- Khata-khesra/jamabandi number (land records)
- Sowing certificate (issued by the government patwari/agriculture coordinator)
The bottom line
For farmers in the Kosi belt, PMFBY is an essential safeguard against losses from floods and other natural disasters. For land records, see our Bihar land records guide, and for flood safety information, see our Kosi flood alert guide.