The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has taken a significant step towards empowering farmers and streamlining operations with the launch of several new technological initiatives under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). The recent launches, effective from the current tender cycle of 2023-25 and farmer enrollment during Kharif 2023, reflect the government's dedication to safeguarding farmers' livelihoods.
The grand launch event, held in New Delhi, witnessed the presence of esteemed dignitaries, including Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and Union Minister for Earth Sciences Kiren Rijiju. The event marked a turning point in India's crop insurance landscape with the unveiling of initiatives like YES-Tech Manual, WINDS portal, and the door-to-door enrollment app AIDE/Sahayak.
Speaking at the event, Narendra Singh Tomar congratulated the department on making every scheme accessible to farmers through technology. He emphasized that the new manual, portal, and app would enhance the effectiveness of PMFBY. The government's efforts have aimed to make weather information easily available to every village, including the installation of rain watch towers and weather stations at the development block level to ensure precise weather data.
The YES-TECH Manual, a comprehensive guide, has been developed after extensive testing in 100 districts of India. It facilitates the implementation of YES-TECH, a technology-driven yield estimation system, enabling accurate yield assessments at the Gram Panchayat level. Additionally, the WINDS Portal serves as a centralized platform to manage hyper-local weather data collected by Automatic Weather Stations and Rain Gauges at various levels. The portal aids in risk assessment, agriculture advisories, and disaster mitigation, thus supporting the agricultural sector and rural economy.
A groundbreaking announcement at the event was the delinking of subsidies, ensuring farmers receive claim payments independently without waiting for state actions. The Centre will now release its share of subsidies directly, providing much-needed relief and financial security to farmers.
Minister of Earth Sciences Kiren Rijiju emphasized the importance of adapting agriculture to climate change with a "responsive and appropriate scientific mechanism." He highlighted the impact of climate change on agriculture, stating how the apple crop has shifted to higher altitude regions due to changing climatic conditions. He praised the government's efforts under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, making India a leading nation in the agriculture sector.
Union Agriculture Secretary Manoj Ahuja, Director General of India Meteorological Department Dr. Mrityunjay Mohapatra, and CEO of PMFBY and Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Ritesh Chauhan, also addressed the gathering, highlighting the significance of the initiatives. One of the major accomplishments of these technological interventions is the substantial cost-saving of 11,000 crores, allowing the government to invest more resources in farmers' welfare. The reduction in premiums from 17%-18% to 8-9% showcases the government's dedication to farmer-friendly policies.
The launch of the AIDE app on the Android platform aims to revolutionize the enrollment process, making crop insurance more accessible and convenient for farmers with a seamless and transparent approach.
