Bhubaneswar: Following a request from the Odisha Cooperation Department, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has extended the deadline for registration to avail the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) for the Kharif 2026 season.

The Odisha Cooperation Department stated the deadline has been extended till August 31.

The decision has been taken to protect farmers against crop losses caused by natural calamities and other uncertainties and ensure that more eligible farmers are covered under the crop insurance scheme, the Cooperation Department stated.

During the extended registration period, crop insurance registration will be available only to loanee farmers in Ganjam, Kalahandi, Puri, Subarnapur, Bargarh, Bhadrak, Gajapati, Jajpur and Jagatsinghpur districts. In the remaining districts, registration will be open to all other eligible farmers.

For Kharif 2026, crops covered under the scheme, depending on the notified areas and crops, include paddy, maize, groundnut, ragi, cotton, arhar, ginger and turmeric.

All eligible loanee, non-loanee and sharecropper farmers can avail themselves of the scheme. 

Farmers in the State can get crop insurance coverage free of cost for land up to five acres. They will only have to pay ₹1 per plot towards bank account verification.

The state government will bear the farmers’ share of the premium, while the Central Government will provide subsidy support under the scheme.

Loanee farmers can register through PACS/LAMPCS and concerned bank branches. Non-loanee farmers can register through Common Service Centres (CSCs), cooperative banks, commercial bank branches, insurance representatives and authorised digital platforms.

Sharecroppers can also register under PMFBY by providing the required details along with the landowner's acknowledgement or consent for the land they are cultivating.

The Cooperation Department further stated for assistance, farmers can contact their nearest PACS/LAMPCS, ARCS, DRCS, CDAO office or authorised insurance representative.

The department also urged eligible farmers who have not yet registered for crop insurance to complete the process by the extended deadline.