CROPIC (Collection of Real Time Observations & Photo of Crops)

Prelims : Current events of National Importance | Technology | Agriculture

Why in News?

The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare plans to launch CROPIC.

It is a study to gather crop information using field photographs and AI-based models.
Crops will be photographed 4-5 times during their cycle, and the pictures will be analysed to assess their health and potential mid-season losses.
Seasons - The study will be carried out for two seasons, kharif 2025 and rabi 2025-26.
CROPIC is an initiative under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY).
Purpose - It has a dual purpose of monitoring crop health and stress, and automation of crop loss assessment and payment of claims to affected farmers.
The study envisages the collection of field photographs during the crop season using the CROPIC mobile app.
- Developed by - Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.
The photographs from the field will be crowd-sourced directly from farmers.
Then, they will be analysed for information including crop type, crop stage, crop damage and its extent.
CROPIC will use an AI-based cloud platform for photo analysis and information extraction, and a web-based dashboard for visualisation.
Timeline - CROPIC will be rolled out initially in at least 50 districts per season.
These districts will be well distributed in different agro-climatic zones, covering the 3 major notified crops in each district for each season, initially.

Notified crops are those covered under insurance schemes like PMFBY.

Benefits - It will assist in creating a rich directory of crop signatures, and will also lead to automation of loss assessment and compensation to eligible farmers under PMFBY.
This initiative is part of digital innovations in agriculture for fostering financial resilience.

Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)

It is a crop insurance scheme designed to protect farmers against crop losses due to various natural calamities, pests, and diseases.
Aim - To provide financial support, stabilize farmer income, and encourage the adoption of modern agricultural practices.
Key Features - PMFBY provides insurance coverage for a wide range of crops, including rice, wheat, pulses, and commercial crops.
The scheme offers low premium rates, with the government bearing the balance premium to ensure full insurance coverage.
PMFBY utilizes technology like satellite imagery and remote sensing for crop area estimation, yield estimation, and loss assessment.
The scheme streamlines the claims process, making it easier for farmers to access insurance benefits.

Reference

The Indian Express | What is CROPIC?