Agriculture is the foundation of India’s rural economy, yet it remains highly vulnerable to climatic variability, natural calamities, and production risks. To address these challenges and ensure income security for farmers, the Government of India introduced the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) as a comprehensive crop insurance scheme. The present study examines the role of PMFBY in strengthening agricultural sustainability and the rural economy in Sambhajinagar district of Maharashtra. The study is based on both primary and secondary data. Primary data were collected from farmers enrolled under PMFBY through a structured questionnaire, while secondary data were obtained from government reports, journals, and official publications. The analysis focuses on farmers’ awareness, participation level, claim settlement experience, and the scheme’s contribution to income stability and risk mitigation. The findings reveal that PMFBY has positively contributed to reducing financial vulnerability, encouraging continued agricultural activities, and supporting rural economic stability. However, challenges such as delayed claim settlement, procedural complexity, and limited awareness among small and marginal farmers persist. The study concludes that effective implementation, timely compensation, and improved dissemination of information are essential to enhance the impact of PMFBY on sustainable agricultural development and rural prosperity.
Gholap et al. (2026) studied this question.