MP Indra Hang Subba urges centre to cover wild animal crop damages under PMFBY

To safeguard the interests of farmers in Sikkim and other hilly regions, Dr. Indra Hang Subba, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) from Sikkim, met Shri Ram Nath Thakur, Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, at Krishi Bhawan in New Delhi on Wednesday. During the meeting, Dr. Subba submitted a detailed representation requesting the inclusion of crop damages caused by wild animals under the ambit of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY).

Dr. Subba raised a serious concern that is troubling a large number of farmers across Sikkim. He explained that in rural and forest-adjacent areas, crops are often damaged by animals such as wild boars, monkeys, and deer. These intrusions frequently lead to heavy losses. “Farmers are losing both their hard work and their investment due to these wild animal attacks,” he stated. Currently, PMFBY covers natural disasters and other risks, but damages caused by wild animals are not yet included. As a result, many farmers have no insurance support when such losses occur.

“This is not just a seasonal issue — it’s a regular threat,” Dr. Subba said. “It has led to demoralization among farmers, and some are even giving up cultivation altogether. The problem has caused many areas of farmland to remain unused, especially in regions like Sikkim where wildlife is in close proximity to agricultural land.”

He urged the Centre to recognize wild animal attacks as a genuine risk under PMFBY. He also stressed that addressing this issue would align with the Prime Minister’s vision to double farmers' income and strengthen sustainable agriculture in remote and vulnerable areas.

To make the idea practical, Dr. Subba suggested that the government launch a pilot program in selected high-risk districts. This would be done in collaboration with the Forest Department and local Panchayati Raj institutions. The aim would be to understand the ground-level challenges and to design effective models for implementation.

He said this step is necessary not only for Sikkim but also for other states facing similar challenges. “Farmers have been waiting for help on this issue for a long time. Including crop damages by wild animals under PMFBY will finally give them the support they deserve,” Dr. Subba added.