National Agriculture Insurance Scheme
Crop insurance against natural calamities · 3.5% Kharif / 1.5% Rabi premium · all India
The National Agriculture Insurance Scheme (NAIS) is a Central Government program that protects farmers against crop losses caused by floods, droughts, hailstorms, pests, and diseases. Farmers who take agricultural loans are automatically enrolled, and non-loanee farmers can join voluntarily before each crop season begins. Enroll through your nearest bank or cooperative society, or call the helpline at 1800-180-1551.
About This Scheme
The National Agriculture Insurance Scheme (NAIS) is a Central Government program that protects farmers against crop losses caused by floods, droughts, hailstorms, pests, and diseases. Farmers who take agricultural loans are automatically enrolled, and non-loanee farmers can join voluntarily before each crop season begins. Enroll through your nearest bank or cooperative society, or call the helpline at 1800-180-1551.
Full official description
The National Agriculture Insurance Scheme (NAIS) was introduced by the Government of India to provide comprehensive insurance coverage and financial support to farmers against crop losses due to natural calamities, pests, and diseases. The scheme promotes the stability of farm incomes and encourages farmers to adopt modern agricultural practices.
Key Features
- Coverage for food crops, oilseeds, and selected commercial/horticultural crops.
- Protection against crop loss due to natural calamities such as drought, flood, hailstorm, cyclone, pests, and diseases.
- Coverage for different stages of the crop life cycle:
- Sowing/planting risk.
- Standing crop losses.
- Post-harvest losses (due to specified perils).
- Losses due to localized risks like hailstorms and landslides.
- Subsidized premiums for small and marginal farmers.
- Availability of the scheme across notified areas and seasons.
Claim Process
- Reporting Losses: Inform the local agriculture office or insurer within 48 hours of the incident.- Assessment: Loss assessment will be conducted by a joint team comprising local authorities and insurance company representatives.- Claim Settlement: Upon verification, claims are directly transferred to the farmer’s bank account
Benefits
- Protection against crop loss from natural calamities (flood, drought, hailstorm, cyclone), pests, and diseases
- Coverage across the crop lifecycle: sowing/planting risk, standing crop losses, and post-harvest losses
- Premium subsidized by 10% for small and marginal farmers (cost shared between central and state governments)
- Low premium rates: 3.5% of sum insured for Kharif food crops/oilseeds; 1.5% for Rabi crops; actuarial rates for commercial crops
- Claims settled directly into the farmer's bank account
💡 Why Startups Should Care
For agri-fintech startups, NAIS is a foundational policy layer — understanding how farmers interact with crop insurance (auto-enrollment vs. voluntary, 48-hour reporting, bank-based claim settlement) surfaces specific pain points where a digital product genuinely improves the farmer experience.
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
- Loanee farmers: Automatically enrolled when you take a seasonal agricultural loan from a bank or cooperative society — no separate application needed
- Non-loanee farmers: Can apply voluntarily before the deadline for each crop season
- Crops covered must be officially notified by the government for that year and area
- Eligible crops include food crops, oilseeds, and select commercial/horticultural crops
- Coverage applies in notified areas only — check with your local agriculture office for your area
How to Apply
- Loanee farmers: your bank automatically enrolls you when you take a seasonal agricultural loan — premium is deducted from the disbursement; no separate application is needed
- Non-loanee farmers: visit your nearest bank or Primary Agricultural Cooperative Society (PACS) before the seasonal crop deadline
- Fill the NAIS application form and submit the required documents
- Pay the premium — rates are 3.5% of sum insured for Kharif crops and 1.5% for Rabi crops (small/marginal farmers get a 10% subsidy)
- If crop loss occurs, report to your local agriculture office or insurer within 48 hours — claims are verified and settled directly to your bank account
- Helpline: 1800-180-1551 | Website: pmfby.gov.in
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the National Agriculture Insurance Scheme (NAIS)?
The National Agriculture Insurance Scheme (NAIS) is a government initiative aimed at providing financial protection to farmers against crop losses due to natural calamities, pests, and diseases. It offers coverage for food crops, oilseeds, and select horticultural crops.
Who is eligible to apply for NAIS?
All farmers growing insurable crops and availing Seasonal Agricultural Operations (SAO) loans from Banks / PACS are compulsorily covered under the Scheme by the Banks/ PACS, whereas the non-borrowing farmers growing insurable crops can also avail the benefit of the Scheme by submitting prescribed proposal forms at the nearest Banks/ PACS.
How can famar apply for the NAIS?
Loanee Farmers: The application is processed through the bank or financial institution from where the loan is availed. The premium is deducted directly from the loan amount.
Non-Loanee Farmers: They need to approach the nearest bank or insurance office, fill out the application form, submit required documents, and pay the premium.
What is the premium amount for the scheme?
Food Crops (Kharif): 3.5% of the sum insured.
Food Crops (Rabi): 1.5% of the sum insured.
Commercial and Horticultural Crops: Premium is based on actuarial rates.
Are there any subsidies on the premium?
Yes, the government provides premium subsidies, particularly for small and marginal farmers, to make the scheme affordable. The premium subsidy is shared between the central and state governments.
What documents are required to apply for NAIS?
Aadhaar card or another government-issued identity proof. Proof of land records (ownership or tenancy). Crop sowing certificate (if applicable). Bank account details for claim settlement.
How are claims processed under NAIS?
Farmers must inform the local authorities or insurer about crop loss within 48 hours. A joint assessment of the loss is carried out by insurance representatives and local officials. After verification, the claims are settled and directly transferred to the farmer's bank account.
Can non-loanee farmers apply for NAIS?
Yes, non-loanee farmers can voluntarily apply for NAIS by visiting an authorized bank branch or insurance office. They need to submit necessary documents and pay the premium.
How many states are participating in the scheme?
At present this scheme is being implemented in 23 States and UTs (except Punjab, Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh among the States and Chandigarh, Daman & Diu, Delhi, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Lakshadweep among the UTs).
Are crop loans disbursed through Kisan Credit Cards (KCCs) eligible for insurance coverage under the NAIS ?
Crop loans disbursed/withdrawn through KCCs are also eligible for coverage as per the terms and conditions applicable to the regular crop loans.
Ready to apply?
Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.
Apply on myScheme.gov.inDocuments Required
- Aadhaar card or valid government ID proof
- Proof of land records or tenancy agreement
- Crop-sowing certificate (if required by the bank)
- Bank account details for claim disbursement