At the break of dawn in Madhya Pradesh’s Sagar district, known for its prized wheat and pulses, Ajay Kumar Choubey begins his day tending fields that have nourished his family for generations. Farming is more than a livelihood here—it’s a way of life. Yet, with every season, uncertainty looms large.
One sudden rainstorm, a pest invasion, or an extended drought can upend months of hard work and labour. The stakes have risen with the changing climate. According to the India Meteorological Department, the country experienced extreme weather events on 255 out of the first 274 days of 2024, including heatwaves, floods, droughts, and erratic rainfall. For farmers, these patterns are more than statistics—they are a daily reality that threatens their fragile security.
"The constant fear of changing weather patterns and maintaining the quality of our produce is always on our minds. It’s a tough challenge because we’ve already invested so much in pre-harvesting—seeds, fertilizers, labour—and any setback feels like a heavy blow".Ajay Kumar Choubey
A Lifeline for Farmers
In 2016, the Government of India launched the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) to address the growing unpredictability farmers face. The crop insurance scheme offers coverage against losses from adverse weather conditions, from pre-sowing to post-harvesting. With support from UNDP since 2018, the scheme has evolved, now incorporating technological innovations to better serve farmers.
For Ajay, PMFBY was a game-changer. Enrolment was simple—a trip to the local bank with his Aadhar card ensured his crops were insured. It brought him a peace of mind he hadn’t felt in years.
In 2023, when an unexpected hailstorm devastated his harvest, Ajay promptly informed the local CSC (Common Service Centre) within 72 hours of the crop loss. Within days, the insurance company conducted a survey, leveraging satellite imagery and remote sensing to assess the damage. The result was a seamless process: INR 18,596.64 (roughly US$220) was transferred directly to Ajay’s account via the Digi-Claim system.
“It was a relief,” he recalls. “My family could breathe easy.”
Harnessing Technology for Resilience
PMFBY’s tech advancements have transformed farming in India. Tools like YES-Tech use satellite imagery to assess yields, reducing disputes and ensuring timely payouts. UNDP has been instrumental in training local teams to implement these innovations effectively. Madhya Pradesh is now India’s first state to adopt 100% technology-based yield assessments under PMFBY.
Digital integration of land records with PMFBY’s National Crop Insurance Portal has further streamlined the process, eliminating middlemen who once exploited vulnerable farmers. These changes have not only ensured timely compensation but also restored faith in the system.
A Future Beyond Survival
Today, Ajay no longer farms merely to survive—he farms to thrive. The compensation he received allowed him to invest in better seeds, rent machinery, and experiment with crop diversification. “I’m planning for the future instead of worrying about the past,” he says.
Across India, smallholders, marginal farmers, and women cultivators are voluntarily enrolling in PMFBY, seeing it as a tool for stability and growth. Farmers like Ajay see PMFBY as a promise - a promise that their hard work will not go in vain, even in the face of nature’s unpredictability.
As Ajay stands on his land, he reflects on his journey. “This is not just about compensation,” he says. “This is about hope.”
Across India, the Government of India, supported by UNDP, is weaving millions of such stories. When a nation invests in its farmers, it invests in its future. For Ajay and countless others, the promise of a secure harvest is no longer a distant dream—it is a growing reality.