**Executive Summary**
This document contains the response to Unstarred Question No. 1610 in Lok Sabha, concerning farmers registered and claims of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) settled in Bihar. The question was posed on December 9th, 2025. The response outlines Bihar's initial implementation of PMFBY and its subsequent adoption of an alternative scheme, and provides details on technologies being implemented for crop damage and loss assessment across the country, effective from 2023-24.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **PMFBY in Bihar:**
* PMFBY was voluntary for states and farmers since the Kharif 2016 season.
* The Bihar government initially implemented PMFBY for two years (2016-17 and 2017-18).
* Bihar is currently implementing its own scheme, "Bihar Rajya Fasal Sahayata Yojana", which is a non-insurance relief assistance program.
* **Technologies for Crop Damage & Loss Assessment (Effective 2023-24):**
* Applicable where the PMFBY and States/UTs implementing PMFBY are covered.
* **YES-TECH (Yield Estimation System Based on Technology):**
* Gradual migration to Remote-Sensing based yield estimation.
* Launched for paddy & wheat crops from Kharif 2023.
* 30% weightage to yield estimation will be assigned to YES-TECH derived yield.
* Soybean crop has been added from Kharif 2024 season.
* **WINDS (Weather Information Network and Data System):**
* Sets up a network of Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) & Automatic Rain-Gauges (ARG), increasing the existing network by 5 times.
* Collects hyper-local weather data at GP & Block level.
* Data is fed into a National database with interoperability & sharing of data in coordination with India Meteorological Department (IMD).
* WINDS supports YES-TECH, drought & disaster management, weather prediction, and parametric insurance products.
**Impact Analysis**
**Key Stakeholders:** Farmers, State Governments, Union Territories, India Meteorological Department (IMD)
**Impact**
* **Farmers:** Affected by changes in crop insurance schemes and the implementation of new technologies for yield estimation and weather monitoring.
* **State Governments/UTs:** Need to adapt to the implementation of YES-TECH and WINDS within the PMFBY framework or align with it.
* **India Meteorological Department (IMD):** Will be involved in the data sharing and coordination aspects of the WINDS initiative.
**Action Required**
* **Farmers:** Familiarize themselves with the details of the "Bihar Rajya Fasal Sahayata Yojana" if residing in Bihar, or PMFBY in general.
* **State Governments/UTs:** Implement YES-TECH and WINDS technologies and coordinate with IMD for data sharing.
Key Entities Referenced
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY): Crop insurance scheme mentioned as applicable in Bihar, then discussed in context of other States/UTs.
Bihar: State where farmers registered and claims of PMFBY are settled.
YES-TECH (Yield Estimation System Based on Technology): Technology implemented for crop damage and loss assessment.
WINDS (Weather Information Network and Data System): Technology implemented for weather data collection.
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare: The ministry responsible for the policy.
O.I.H
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1610
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 9TH DECEMBER, 2025
FARMERS REGISTERED AND CLAIMS OF PMFBY SETTLED IN BIHAR
1610. Smt. Lovely Anand:
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण मं(cid:361)ी
be pleased to state:
(a) the number of farmers in Bihar registered under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana
(PMFBY) during the last three years;
(b) the number of farmers registered from the Sheohar Lok Sabha Constituency which is
frequently affected by natural disasters such as floods;
(c) the number of claims by Sheohar farmers for crop loss which have been settled and
the amount paid during this period;
(d) whether the Government is using modern technology such as drones to assess crop
loss so that claims can be settled faster; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण रा(cid:475) मं(cid:361)ी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)
(a) to (c) : The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), introduced in the country
from Kharif 2016 season is voluntary for States as well as farmers. State Government of
Bihar initially implemented the scheme for two years i.e. 2016-17 and 2017-18 and is not
implementing the scheme thereafter. However, they are implementing their own scheme,
“Bihar Rajya Fasal Sahayata Yojana”, which is a non-insurance, relief assistance scheme.
(d) & (e) : Following technologies for Objective Crop Damage & Loss Assessment and
transparency have been implemented by Government of India w.e.f. 2023-24 where the
PMFBY and States/UTs implementing PMFBY are covered in the country :
(i) YES-TECH (Yield Estimation System Based on Technology) for gradual
migration to Remote-Sensing based yield estimation to help assess yields as well as fair
and accurate Crop Yield Estimation. This initiative has been launched for paddy & wheat
crops from Kharif 2023 wherein 30% weightage to yield estimation will mandatorily be
assigned to YES-TECH derived yield. Soybean crop has been added from Kharif 2024
season.
(ii)
WINDS (Weather Information Network and Data System) for setting up of Network of
Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) & Automatic Rain-Gauges (ARG) to the tune of 5 times
of existing network for collecting hyper-local weather data at GP & Block level. This will
be fed into a National database with interoperability & sharing of data in coordination with
India Meteorological Department (IMD). WINDS provides data not only for YES-TECH but
also for effective drought & disaster management, accurate weather prediction and offering
better parametric insurance products.
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