India is embracing artificial intelligence and digital technology to revolutionize its agricultural sector, with new initiatives like CROPIC aiming to improve crop monitoring, assess losses, and empower farmers.
India’s New Crop Monitoring System
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare recently launched CROPIC, a groundbreaking study designed to collect crop information using field photographs and advanced AI models. This initiative is a crucial part of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), India’s flagship crop insurance scheme.
CROPIC aims to build a comprehensive directory of crop “signatures” and automate the assessment of crop losses. Ultimately, this will streamline the compensation process for eligible farmers under PMFBY, ensuring timely and accurate payouts.
How CROPIC Works
CROPIC stands for “Collection of Real Time Observations & Photo of Crops.” Under this system, crops will be photographed multiple times throughout their growth cycle, typically four to five times. These images are then analyzed to determine crop health and identify potential mid-season losses.
To facilitate this, the Ministry has developed the CROPIC mobile app. Farmers themselves will contribute by uploading photographs directly from their fields. These crowd-sourced images are then fed into an AI-based cloud platform for detailed analysis, extracting information like crop type, growth stage, and the extent of any damage.
This system serves a dual purpose: it monitors crop health and stress, and simultaneously automates the assessment of crop loss. By using computer vision and photo-analytic models, it ensures that compensation claims for affected farmers are processed efficiently. Initially, CROPIC will be rolled out in at least 50 districts per season, focusing on major insured crops.
Funding Digital Agriculture
The development and implementation of CROPIC are funded through the Fund for Innovation and Technology (FIAT), which operates under the PMFBY. FIAT has a substantial outlay of around Rs 825 crore dedicated to various technological innovations within crop insurance schemes.
Approved in 2025, FIAT also supports other key initiatives like the Yield Estimation System using Technology (YES-TECH) and Weather Information and Network Data Systems (WINDS), as well as research and development in agricultural technology.
Understanding Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)
Launched in 2016, PMFBY replaced older insurance schemes with a “One Nation, One Crop, One Premium” approach. It offers coverage to all farmers, including sharecroppers and tenant farmers, who cultivate “notified crops” in “notified areas.”
Under PMFBY, farmers pay a minimal premium: 2% for Kharif foodgrain and oilseed crops, 1.5% for Rabi foodgrain and oilseed crops, and 5% for horticultural crops. The remaining premium is subsidized by the government, making crop insurance accessible.
AI and Digital Innovations in Indian Agriculture
CROPIC is part of a larger push to integrate AI and digital technology across the agricultural sector. India is leveraging these advancements to empower farmers, improve efficiency, and enhance resilience.
- Kisan e-Mitra: An AI-powered chatbot designed to answer farmers’ queries about the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, supporting 11 regional languages for prompt and accurate responses.
- National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS): Launched in August 2024, this AI and Machine Learning platform connects farmers with agricultural experts for real-time advice on pest attacks and crop diseases.
- YES-TECH: The Yield Estimation System using Technology incorporates Remote Sensing for yield estimation, with technology-based estimates given significant weightage.
- WINDS: This initiative aims to establish Automatic Weather Stations at the block level and Automatic Rain Gauges at the Panchayat level, providing hyper-local weather data to farmers.
- Digital Agriculture Mission: Approved in 2024 with a budget of Rs 2,817 crore, this mission focuses on creating Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) components like AgriStack, Krishi Decision Support System (DSS), and Soil Profile Maps.
- SATHI: The Seed AUthentication, Traceability, and Holistic Inventory portal monitors the seed production and distribution chain, ensuring complete traceability from origin to farmer.
Empowering Women with Drones: The Namo Drone Didis Scheme
Beyond these digital platforms, the “Namo Drone Didi” scheme is a significant central sector initiative. It aims to empower women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs) by providing them with drone technology for agricultural services.
The scheme plans to equip 15,000 selected SHGs with drones between 2024-25 and 2025-26. Each woman receives a drone (worth Rs 10 lakh) for just Rs 2 lakh, with an 80% government subsidy. Comprehensive drone pilot training is also included in the package.
Benefits of Drone Didis
The Namo Drone Didi scheme offers multiple advantages for agriculture and community development.
It significantly enhances agricultural efficiency through the precise application of pesticides and fertilizers. Drones, with their advanced GPS and sensor technology, ensure targeted chemical use, minimizing environmental impact and waste.
The scheme also empowers women by equipping them with advanced skills in crop monitoring, soil analysis, and precision farming. This not only boosts their capabilities but also improves irrigation management by identifying areas needing specific water levels or detecting leaks.
Furthermore, the initiative fosters community and networking opportunities among participants. Women can share experiences, challenges, and best practices, building a supportive network and gaining access to industry experts and agricultural professionals.
