Mumbai (Maharashtra): Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan made a major announcement for farmers on Friday. He said that the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) will now also cover losses caused by wild animals and floods or waterlogging due to excessive rainfall.
In a video message to farmers, Chouhan said, “I am giving you good news today. Two losses were not covered under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana and had been a long-standing demand: one, damage to crops caused by wild animals, and the other, damage to crops caused by floods or waterlogging due to excessive rainfall. I would like to inform you that both of these losses are now covered under the crop insurance scheme. If wild animals damage crops, compensation will be provided. If waterlogging causes damage to crops, farmers will also receive compensation for that. This announcement will benefit thousands of farmers who previously suffered losses due to these natural causes but were not eligible for insurance claims.” Earlier on Thursday, Shivraj Singh Chouhan shared a post on social media platform ‘X’, stating that the final estimate of crop production for 2024-25 has increased to 357.73 million tons, an increase of approximately 8 percent from last year.
Chohan further wrote that it is a matter of great joy that our farmer brothers and sisters have set a new record in grain production through their hard work. The final estimates of crop production for 2024-25 show that the country’s total grain production has increased to 357.73 million tons, an increase of approximately 8 percent from last year. This achievement is a combined result of the hard work of farmers, the increased use of modern technology, and the central government’s agriculture-friendly policies. He also stated that a historic increase of over 106 million tons has been recorded in grain production in the last ten years.
Sharing the post on social media, he further wrote that a historic increase of over 106 million tons has been recorded in grain production in the last ten years. The robust growth in all major crops, including rice, wheat, maize, and millet, is a testament to the strength of the country’s agriculture and the impact of the central government’s policies. Chauhan further wrote that the increase in crops reflects the success of the “Oilseeds Mission” and the “Pulse Self-Reliance Mission.”
He further wrote that due to the efforts of the central government, pulses and oilseeds have also seen record growth. Oilseed production has increased to 42.989 million tons, and total pulse production has reached 25.683 million tons. The strong growth in crops like groundnut, soybean, chickpea, and mung bean demonstrates the success of the “Oilseeds Mission” and the “Pulse Self-Reliance Mission.”
The Union Minister also stated that the government’s guaranteed MSP procurement for tur, urad, chickpea, and mung bean has provided farmers with a secure market. The assured MSP procurement is benefiting a large number of farmers, leading to a steady increase in pulse production.
