Introduction
Farmers are the backbone of India’s rural economy. However, agriculture is highly dependent on weather conditions, and unexpected natural calamities such as drought, floods, unseasonal rainfall, hailstorms, and pest attacks often cause heavy crop losses. To protect farmers from financial distress arising out of such crop failures, the Government of India, in collaboration with state governments and insurance companies, has implemented a nationwide crop insurance program called the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY).
In Karnataka, the distribution of crop insurance compensation for the agricultural years 2024–25 and 2025–26 has gained momentum. Thousands of eligible farmers across several districts have started receiving crop insurance compensation directly into their bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). The good news is that farmers no longer need to visit government offices or bank branches repeatedly to know the status of their compensation. The Karnataka government has made it possible to check crop insurance application status and payment details directly on a mobile phone using the official online portal.
This article provides complete and easy-to-understand information on:
- What PMFBY is and how it works
- How crop insurance compensation is calculated
- Which districts in Karnataka have received crop insurance payments
- How farmers can check crop insurance payment status online using mobile phones
- Important rules and steps farmers must follow to receive compensation smoothly
- Common reasons for delays and what to do if compensation is not credited
What is Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)?
The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana is India’s flagship crop insurance scheme designed to provide financial protection to farmers against crop loss or damage due to natural calamities, pests, and diseases. The scheme is implemented jointly by the central government, state governments, and empaneled insurance companies.
Key Objectives of PMFBY
The main objectives of PMFBY include:
- To provide financial support to farmers suffering crop loss or damage
- To stabilize farmers’ income and ensure continuity in farming activities
- To encourage farmers to adopt modern and innovative agricultural practices
- To ensure affordable insurance coverage for crops across India
Coverage Under PMFBY
PMFBY provides insurance coverage for the following risks:
- Prevented sowing due to adverse weather
- Standing crop losses due to drought, flood, cyclone, hailstorm, landslide, pests, and diseases
- Post-harvest losses occurring within 14 days of harvesting due to unseasonal rain or cyclones
- Localized calamities such as hailstorms, cloudbursts, and landslides affecting individual farms
Farmers pay only a small portion of the insurance premium, while the remaining amount is subsidized by the central and state governments.
How is Crop Insurance Compensation Calculated?
Crop insurance compensation under PMFBY is not calculated purely on the basis of individual farmers’ reported losses. Instead, the scheme primarily follows an Area-Based Approach, supplemented by individual assessment in case of localized calamities.
Area-Based Approach
Under this method:
- Each village, hobli, or defined agricultural unit is treated as an “insurance unit.”
- The average yield of the notified crop in the current season is compared with the historical average yield of the same area (usually based on the last 7 years).
- If the current yield is lower than the threshold yield, the area is declared as affected.
- All insured farmers in that area become eligible for compensation, even if individual field conditions vary slightly.
This method ensures transparency and avoids disputes over individual loss claims in large-scale crop failures.
Individual Assessment for Localized Losses
In cases such as:
- Hailstorms
- Landslides
- Flooding of specific fields
- Cloudbursts
- Post-harvest losses within 14 days of harvesting
The damage is assessed at the individual farm level. Farmers must report the loss within the prescribed time (usually 72 hours), after which officials conduct field inspections. Compensation is then determined based on the extent of damage.
Crop Insurance Payments in Karnataka: District-Wise Update
During the 2024–25 and 2025–26 agricultural seasons, crop insurance compensation has been released for several districts across North Karnataka and Central Karnataka. Farmers in many regions have already started receiving compensation directly into their bank accounts.
Districts Where Compensation Has Been Credited
As per recent updates, compensation has been credited to eligible farmers in districts including:
- Belagavi
- Bagalkot
- Vijayapura
- Dharwad
- Gadag
- Haveri
- Kalaburagi
- Bidar
- Raichur
- Davanagere
- Shivamogga
- Chitradurga
The disbursement process is ongoing, and payments are being credited in phases. Farmers from other districts may also receive compensation as verification and processing continue.
How to Check Crop Insurance Status on Mobile (Step-by-Step Guide)
Farmers who have enrolled under PMFBY can easily check the status of their crop insurance application and compensation payment using the official Karnataka government portal Samrakshane Portal.
Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: Visit the Official Website
Open your mobile browser and go to the Samrakshane portal (official Karnataka government crop insurance website).
Step 2: Select Year and Season
On the homepage, select the relevant agricultural year (such as 2024–25 or 2025–26) and the season (Kharif/Monsoon or Rabi).
Step 3: Choose Farmer Status Option
Click on the “Farmer” section and select the option “Check Status.”
Step 4: Enter Required Details
Enter one of the following details:
- Registered mobile number
- Aadhaar number
- Proposal ID (application number)
Also enter the captcha code displayed on the screen.
Step 5: View Application and Payment Details
After clicking “Search,” the portal will display:
- Whether your insurance application has been accepted
- The name of the insurance company
- UTR (transaction reference) details
- Amount credited (if payment has been made)
- Date of payment
If the compensation amount has not yet been released, payment details may not appear immediately. Farmers are advised to check periodically.
Important Rules Farmers Must Follow to Receive Crop Insurance Benefits
To ensure timely compensation, farmers must follow certain essential procedures while enrolling and claiming benefits under PMFBY.
1. Timely Enrollment
Farmers must enroll for crop insurance within the prescribed deadline after sowing. Enrollment is usually done through:
- Village One centers
- Banks
- Cooperative societies
- Online portals (where available)
Late enrollment may result in rejection of insurance coverage.
2. Correct Documentation
Farmers must ensure that the following documents are accurate and updated:
- Aadhaar card
- Bank passbook
- Land records (RTC / Pahani)
Most importantly, Aadhaar must be linked to the bank account through NPCI mapping for Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
3. Reporting Crop Loss on Time
In the case of localized calamities or individual crop damage, farmers must inform the insurance company or agriculture department within 72 hours of the incident. Delay in reporting can lead to rejection of claims.
4. Crop Survey Registration
Farmers are required to update crop details through the crop survey system or mobile application introduced by the state government. Accurate crop declaration is mandatory for insurance eligibility.
Common Reasons for Delay or Non-Receipt of Compensation
Even if a farmer has enrolled under PMFBY, compensation may be delayed due to several reasons:
- Incorrect bank account details
- Aadhaar not linked with bank account
- Mismatch between crop survey data and insurance records
- Pending verification at district or insurance company level
- Technical issues in payment processing
What Farmers Can Do
If compensation is delayed:
- Check application status on the Samrakshane portal
- Visit the nearest agriculture office or Village One center
- Contact the concerned insurance company
- Ensure Aadhaar-bank linking is complete
Why Crop Insurance is Crucial for Farmers
Crop insurance acts as a financial safety net for farmers facing unpredictable climatic conditions. With increasing climate variability, extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, making agriculture a high-risk profession. Crop insurance ensures:
- Reduced financial stress after crop loss
- Ability to repay agricultural loans
- Continued investment in farming activities
- Improved confidence to adopt better farming practices
Conclusion
The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana has emerged as one of the most important welfare schemes for Indian farmers. In Karnataka, the recent release of crop insurance compensation for the 2024–25 and 2025–26 seasons has provided much-needed relief to thousands of farming families affected by adverse weather conditions.
With the availability of online portals like Samrakshane, farmers can now easily track their crop insurance status and payment details from their mobile phones without unnecessary travel or delays. To fully benefit from the scheme, farmers must ensure timely enrollment, accurate documentation, prompt loss reporting, and proper crop survey registration.
