Financial protection against livestock deaths caused by accidents, natural disasters and diseases
Up to 10 livestock units per family to be covered
Mumbai, Aug 2026 : The Maharashtra government has granted administrative and financial approval for the implementation of a Livestock Insurance Scheme in the state under the National Livestock Mission. The scheme will provide financial protection to livestock-rearing farmers in the event of the death of their animals due to accidents, natural disasters or diseases, Environment and Animal Husbandry Minister Pankaja Munde said.
Providing details of the scheme, Munde said livestock owners often suffer substantial financial losses because of unexpected weather changes, natural disasters, poisoning, snake bites, contaminated water, accidents and infectious diseases such as lumpy skin disease. The scheme aims to strengthen the financial stability of livestock farmers, ensure timely compensation and protect them from falling into debt following the loss of their animals.
Insurance coverage will apply in cases of livestock deaths caused by accidents, floods, lightning, drought, storms, wildfires, heatwaves, earthquakes, natural causes or diseases. However, partial or complete disability of livestock and transportation-related risks will not be covered under the scheme. Insurance coverage for goats and sheep will be applicable only within the geographical boundaries of Maharashtra.
Up to 10 livestock units per family
The scheme will be implemented through the Maharashtra Livestock Development Board. Indigenous and crossbred milch cows, buffaloes, bulls, male buffaloes, goats and sheep will be covered.
Each family will be eligible for insurance coverage for a maximum of 10 livestock units. If beneficiaries wish to insure more than 10 animals, they will have to bear the entire premium for the additional livestock.
The maximum insurance coverage will be Rs 70,000 for a milch cow, Rs 80,000 for a buffalo, Rs 70,000 for a bull, Rs 80,000 for a male buffalo and Rs 7,000 for a goat or sheep.
Beneficiaries will have the option of taking insurance coverage for one, two or three years.
The premium rates have been fixed at 4.30 per cent for one year, 7.50 per cent for two years and 10.50 per cent for three years. Of the total premium, 85 per cent will be provided as a government subsidy, with the Centre and Maharashtra government contributing in a 60:40 ratio. Beneficiaries will have to pay the remaining 15 per cent.
The insured value of livestock will be determined according to prevailing market prices through a joint assessment involving the livestock owner, insurance company and veterinary officer. In the case of milch animals, their value will also be determined based on milk production.
Insurer must be informed within 24 hours
In the event of an animal's death, the insurance company must be informed within 24 hours through a mobile application, website, email, telephone or written communication. The beneficiary will subsequently have to submit the required documents to process the claim.
The scheme will follow a “No Tag, No Claim” condition, although deaths resulting from natural disasters will be exempt from this requirement.
To qualify for the scheme, livestock must be registered on the National Digital Livestock Mission/System through a 12-digit ear tag. A health certificate issued by a government veterinary officer will also be mandatory.
Beneficiaries will have to submit an identity document such as an Aadhaar card, voter ID, driving licence or bank passbook, along with a photograph clearly showing the animal's ear tag, a photograph of the animal with its owner and the required health certificate.
Claims to be settled within 15 days
Once all necessary documents have been submitted, the insurance company will be required to settle the claim within 15 days, with the compensation transferred directly to the beneficiary's Aadhaar-linked bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
If payment is delayed beyond 15 days, the beneficiary will be entitled to additional compensation at an annual interest rate of 12 per cent.
In cases where claims are rejected, regional and state-level committees will be established to facilitate reconsideration.
The insurance company will also develop an online portal in Marathi and English for registering and processing claims. District-level help desks, customer service numbers and grievance redressal mechanisms will also be established.
The scheme will be publicised through milk collection organisations, Go-Mitra workers and Panchayati Raj institutions.
Munde said veterinary officers would be responsible for livestock identification, health examinations, assessment of market value, tagging, issuance of health certificates and submission of post-mortem reports within 72 hours following the death of insured livestock.
The scheme is aimed at providing timely financial support to livestock farmers and reducing the economic impact of unexpected livestock losses.
