The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) has entered a new phase, integrating advanced technologies such as satellite imagery, drones, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and remote sensing for enhanced accuracy and transparency. These innovations aim to refine critical processes, including crop area estimation, yield dispute resolution, loss assessment, and planning for Crop Cutting Experiments (CCEs).

The program also emphasizes the direct upload of CCE data to the National Crop Insurance Portal (NCIP) via the CCE-Agri App, promoting accountability and efficiency in claim settlements.

The Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Ram Nath Thakur, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha on December 17, 2024, highlighted the introduction of YES-TECH (Yield Estimation System Based on Technology) during the Kharif 2023 season to further streamline the scheme.

This technology-driven framework assigns 30% weightage to remote-sensing-derived yields for crops like paddy and wheat, with soybean added in Kharif 2024. Currently operational in 10 states, YES-TECH has already facilitated claim payouts in seven states from the Kharif 2023 season.

The initiative is supported by detailed guidelines outlined in the YES-TECH Manual, 2023, which defines roles and responsibilities for all stakeholders, including state governments, insurance companies, Technology Implementation Partner (TIP) agencies, and Mentor Institutes for Technology Rollout (MITR).

Institutions like ISRO and ICAR serve as expert mentors, ensuring the implementation adheres to scientific and objective standards. Financial assistance is provided to states for YES-TECH’s rollout, with mechanisms in place to monitor progress, enforce timelines, and address grievances effectively.

With a focus on systematic and transparent yield estimation, YES-TECH is expected to enhance the fairness of crop yield assessments and accelerate claim settlements. The government retains the authority to amend or review the manual to ensure the system remains conflict-free and adaptable to evolving needs.

This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to leveraging technology to empower farmers and improve the implementation of PMFBY.

Source: PIB