Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) envisages the use of improved technology to reduce the time gap for the settlement of claims of farmers. Accordingly, the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, through Mahalanobis National Crop Forecast Centre (MNCFC), involved 8 agencies/ organizations to carry out pilot studies for Optimization of Crop Cutting Experiments (CCEs) in various States under PMFBY. The studies used various technologies, including Satellite data, Artificial Intelligence, Modeling tools, etc. for reducing the number of CCEs required for insurance unit level for yield estimation. The studies were taken up to address a major issue of the need to carry out a large number of CCEs for calculation of yield data vis-à-vis claims at the Gram Panchayat level. The results are being evaluated for providing recommendations for their implementation in the upcoming seasons.

Further, an Expression of Interest (EOI) was floated to migrate to the technology-based assessment of yield with minimum use of CCEs for the Kharif 2019 season. 46 agencies participated in the EOI, out of which 26 agencies have been shortlisted on technical assessment.

The Government is also using satellite imagery to assess the crop area, crop condition, and crop yield, at the district level, under various programmes such as Forecasting Agricultural Output Using Space, Agrometeorology & Land-based observations, and Coordinated Horticulture Assessment and Management using Geo-informatics. Further, satellite data is also being used for drought assessment, to assess the potential area for growing pulses and horticultural crops.

To ensure better transparency, accountability, timely payment of claims to the farmers, and to make the scheme more farmer-friendly, the Government of India has comprehensively revised the Operational Guidelines of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) which have become effective from Rabi 2018-19 season. Provision of 12% interest rate per annum to be paid by the Insurance Company to farmers for the delay in settlement claims beyond 10 days of a prescribed cut-off date for payment of claims. As the settlement of claims for the Rabi 2018-19 season is underway, the admissible penal interest is not yet worked out.

                This information was given in a written reply by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in Rajya Sabha today.

Source: Press Release
Release ID: 1580436
Date: July 26, 2019
PIB Delhi
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare