Parliament Question: Digital General Crop Estimation Survey

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3850 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11th AUGUST, 2026 DIGITAL GENERAL CROP ESTIMATION SURVEY 3850. Dr. THIRUMAAVALAVAN THOLKAPPIYAN: Will the Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare कृिषएवंिकसानक(cid:208)याणम(cid:253)ं ी be pleased to state; (a) whether the government has any proposal to implement Digital General Crop Estimation Survey (DGCES), If so, the details thereof; (b) the details of the benefits of DGCES; and (c) whether any target date is fixed for its implementation? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ(cid:874)ष एव ं (cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण रा(cid:207)य मं(cid:287)ी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR) (a): The implementation of the Digital General Crop Estimation Survey (DGCES) has been carried out in a phased manner. It was initially launched as a pilot during the Kharif 2023– 24 season in selected districts of 10 States. Following the successful pilot, the programme was expanded during the Rabi 2023–24 season to 22 States/UTs. At present, DGCES is being implemented across 23 States/UTs. This phased expansion has significantly strengthened the digital ecosystem for crop estimation by improving the coverage, transparency, timeliness, and quality of crop yield estimation across the country. (b): The Digital General Crop Estimation Survey (DGCES) offers several significant advantages in the conduct of Crop Cutting Experiments (CCEs). It enables a fully digital and paperless workflow with real-time data capture through a mobile application. The system incorporates geo-tagging, time-stamping, and authenticated photographic evidence to enhance transparency and accountability. It standardizes data collection and validation procedures across States, thereby improving the accuracy, reliability, consistency, and timeliness of crop yield estimates. Through web-based dashboards, DGCES facilitates online monitoring and supervision, enabling faster processing and compilation of crop yield estimation. (c): The implementation of DGCES is being carried out in a phased manner. The expansion is being undertaken progressively in consultation with the State Governments based on their preparedness, availability of digital infrastructure, and capacity building of field functionaries. *****