UNVEILING FARMERS’ PERSPECTIVES: A COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION OF PRADHAN MANTRI FASAL BIMA YOJANA (PMFBY) IN TIRUCHIRAPPALLI DISTRICT OF TAMIL NADU

Abstract

Agriculture’s inherent uncertainties threaten farmers' income and food security. The government introduced Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) in 2016 to mitigate risks, aligning with the “One Nation-One Plan” initiative for farmers’ protection. The current investigation aimed to gauge farmers’ perceptions of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). Conducted in the year 2022-23, the study focused on deliberately chosen blocks namely Thuraiyur and Uppiliyapuram in Tiruchirappalli district of Tamil Nadu. Respondents, totaling 120, were chosen from three villages in each selected block using a proportionate random sampling method. A thoroughly designed interview schedule, formulated based on expert opinions and literature reviews, was employed for data collection. Subsequently, the acquired data underwent coding, quantification, classification, tabulation and analysis, employing frequency, percentage and mean score ranking techniques to derive meaningful insights. The study's results indicated that a significant proportion of farmers (70.83%) held medium level perception, while 20.00 per cent had low perception, and 9.17 per cent expressed high perception regarding the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). The assessment revealed that statements such as the enhancement of individual farmers' knowledge and skills under PMFBY (Mean Score - 2.59) ranked highest, followed by its role in enhancing yields and crop protection (Mean Score - 2.58) and improving resource-poor farmers’ access to better crop production (Mean Score - 2.48), which were ranked second and third, respectively. Crop insurance shields farmers from uncertainties like natural disasters. It is deemed essential for all types of farmers due to its significance.