In a major push for farmer welfare, Union Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday digitally transferred Rs 3,900 crore in crop insurance payouts directly into the bank accounts of nearly 35 lakh farmers across India. The transfers, made under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), were initiated from Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan, underscoring the government’s emphasis on transparent, direct benefit delivery.

The event was attended by Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Bhagirath Choudhary, and Rajasthan Agriculture Minister Dr. Kirodi Lal Meena, along with a large gathering of farmers on site. Lakhs more from multiple states participated virtually, turning the occasion into a nationwide show of support for India’s crop insurance mission.

From Block-Level to Individual Farmer Protection
Addressing the gathering, Chouhan contrasted the current PMFBY framework with earlier crop insurance schemes, where payouts were triggered only if entire blocks or tehsils faced crop loss. “Prime Minister Modi ended the old, restrictive system. Today, even if a single farmer in a village loses their crop, compensation is guaranteed,” he said. Since its 2016 launch, PMFBY has paid out Rs 2.12 lakh crore in claims, reflecting its scale and reach.

Layered Farmer Support
The Minister highlighted a range of other government interventions aimed at boosting rural incomes. Under the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, Rs 3.75 lakh crore has been directly credited to farmers’ bank accounts. Fertiliser subsidies remain a cornerstone of affordability, with a 45-kg bag of urea priced at Rs 266 against its actual market cost of Rs 1,633, and a 50-kg bag of DAP at Rs 1,350 against Rs 3,100 — the difference borne by the government, totalling Rs 14.06 lakh crore in subsidies to date.

MSP procurement has also been stepped up, with prices fixed at 50 per cent above production costs. The government recently approved moong procurement at Rs 2,000 per quintal. Under the PM-AASHA scheme, Rs 43.87 lakh crore has been paid to farmers for wheat and paddy purchases, while the Market Intervention Scheme covers transportation costs for farmers selling produce across state lines.

Rapid Response & Research Alignment
On tackling threats such as counterfeit fertilisers, Chouhan announced that a stringent law is in the works to ensure strict action and jail terms for offenders. In the case of crop virus outbreaks, farmers can send photos or alerts to trigger the immediate deployment of scientists to the affected villages.

He also outlined the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan, under which agricultural scientists will visit villages post-Kharif to guide farmers during the Rabi season. Future agricultural R&D, he said, will be demand-driven, focusing on high-yield, quality seeds for crops like moong, urad, soybean, and millet.

A Broader Economic Pledge
Framing agriculture as central to both national security and the economy, Chouhan praised Prime Minister Modi’s uncompromising stance on farmer interests. He also urged citizens to adopt Swadeshi products in daily life, stressing that such choices support local artisans, bolster rural economies, and contribute to India’s economic resilience.

With the latest round of PMFBY disbursements, the government signals its intention to make crop insurance not just a safety net but a direct, timely, and reliable instrument for rural stability — an essential pillar in India’s bid for self-reliance in agriculture.