The Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, through Mahalanobis National Crop Forecast Centre (MNCFC) had carried out pilot studies for Optimization of Crop Cutting Experiments (CCEs) in various States involving 8 agencies and organizations during Kharif 2018 and Rabi 2018-19 under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). The review of these pilot studies was carried out by a High Level Committee constituted for the purpose. The pilot study found that there is a possibility of 30-70% reduction of CCEs (based on the crop and geographical region). Based on these results and the technologies which were verified during the Pilot studies, the Government rolled out Smart Sampling Technique (CCE location selection using satellite data), in 96 districts of 9 States, for rice crop, during Kharif 2019. Around 1 lakh CCEs for Rice crop were conducted during Kharif 2019 using the Smart Sampling Technique. Pilot studies have been undertaken for estimation of yield at a Gram Panchayat level during Kharif 2019 through 14 agencies by use of technology, including satellite data, UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles such as drones), Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and more. As soon as statistically sound methodology for yield estimation through technology is established for the crop, the same may be adopted. This information was given in a written reply by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar in Rajya Sabha yesterday. Earlier this week, Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal said that surveys conducted in Karnataka and Kerala to estimate the extent of damage to coffee plantations due to floods and landslides found more than 33% crop loss. Source - https://indusdictum.com