On October 21, 2022, the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (MoAFW) set up the following two committees to reduce the delay in crop loss/damage estimation and ensure timely settlement of claims by farmers.
i.Committee for nationwide implementation of technology-based crop yield estimation
ii.Committee for standardization and improvement of weather data infrastructure
Both committees will be headed by the Director of Mahalanobis National Crop Forecast Centre (MNCFC), Dr. C. S. Murthy (Current). The Central Government envisages using technology for crop insurance schemes from 2023.
Key Points:
i.The committees will have representation from Maharashtra, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh (AP) and Rajasthan governments, along with experts from different departments and agencies of the Central Government.
ii.The panel on yield estimation will submit its report within 45 days. It will prepare standard operating procedure (SOP) as well as enrol technology implementation partners (TIPs).
iii.The panel for weather data infrastructure has been tasked to help MoA&FW in the creation of the proposed Weather Information Network Data System (WINDS), under which a system of automatic weather stations (AWS) and automatic rain gauges (ARG) will be implemented across India.
- Weather data like rainfall, temperature and humidity are key to calculate yield of crops under weather-based crop insurance scheme as well as Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY).
How technology infusion will help in yield estimation?
There has been delay in yield estimation leading to late assessment of crop damage and acceptance of claims by insurance companies. The technology infusion will reduce this delay by using drones, and through satellite mapping the yield estimation will be more accurate. It will also help the government to validate the countrywide crop production estimate.
Recent Related News:
i.MoAFW and the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) together unveiled a ‘Convergence Portal’ for three flagship schemes at Krishi Bhawan in New Delhi, Delhi viz. Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF), Pradhan Mantri Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme, and Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY).
ii.Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister, MoAFW launched “Anocovax”, India’s first indigenously developed COVID-19 vaccine for animals.
About Mahalanobis National Crop Forecast Centre (MNCFC):
Parent Ministry– Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
Headquarters– New Delhi, Delhi
