This document summarizes Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3878, answered on August 12, 2025, regarding farmers registered under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) in the Sheohar Lok Sabha Constituency. The question addresses the number of farmers registered under PMFBY in the last three years, the number of registered farmers in Sheohar affected by natural calamities, the number of claims settled and the amount paid for crop loss in Sheohar during this period, the use of modern technology like drones for crop damage assessment, and details thereof.
The response indicates that PMFBY, introduced in Kharif 2016, is voluntary for states and farmers. The State Government of Bihar implemented the scheme for two years (2016-17 and 2017-18) but is not currently implementing PMFBY. Instead, Bihar is implementing its own scheme, the Bihar Rajya Fasal Sahayata Yojana, a non-insurance relief assistance program.
At the national level, PMFBY has enrolled 3,539 lakh (353.9 million) farmer applications in the last three years (2022-23 to 2024-25 up to Kharif 2024).
Regarding the use of technology, the scheme has implemented the following technologies from 2023-24 to improve crop damage and loss assessment:
1. **YESTECH (Yield Estimation System Based on Technology):** This system aims for gradual migration to Remote Sensing-based yield estimation for fair and accurate crop yield estimation. Launched for paddy and wheat crops from Kharif 2023, YESTECH contributes 30% weightage to yield estimation. Soybean crop has been added from Kharif 2024 season.
2. **WINDS (Weather Information Network and Data System):** This system involves setting up a network of Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) and Automatic Rain Gauges (ARG) to increase the existing network by five times for collecting hyperlocal weather data at the Gram Panchayat/Block level. This data will be fed into a national database with interoperability and data sharing in coordination with the India Meteorological Department (IMD). WINDS provides data for YESTECH, drought disaster management, accurate weather prediction, and better parametric insurance products.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Ramnath Thakur, provided the answer.
Key Entities Referenced
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana: A crop insurance scheme introduced in India from Kharif 2016 season.
Sheohar Lok Sabha Constituency: A Lok Sabha constituency in Bihar State, India, mentioned in the context of farmers affected by natural calamities.
Bihar Rajya Fasal Sahayata Yojana: A non-insurance, relief assistance scheme implemented by the State Government of Bihar as an alternative to PMFBY.
Kharif 2016: The season when Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana was introduced.
YESTECH Yield Estimation System Based on Technology: A technology used for remote sensing based yield estimation to assess yields for Crop Yield Estimation.
WINDS Weather Information Network and Data System: A system envisaging setting up a network of Automatic Weather Stations and Automatic Rain Gauges for collecting hyperlocal weather data.
India Meteorological Department: An agency involved in the interoperability sharing of data in coordination with WINDS.
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare: The Indian government ministry responsible for agriculture and farmers' welfare.
O.I.H
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3878
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 12TH AUGUST, 2025
FARMERS REGISTERED UNDER PMFBY FROM SHEOHAR
3878. 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 registered under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana during
the last three years;
(b) the number of registered farmers, who often affected by natural calamities like floods,
in Sheohar Lok Sabha Constituency;
(c) the number of claims settled and the amount paid to farmers for crop loss during this
period in Sheohar;
(d) whether the Government is using modern technology like drones to assess crop
damages so the claims are 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) : Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) introduced in the country from Kharif
2016 season is voluntary for States as well as for 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.Under PMFBY, at national level, total 3,539 lakh farmer applications have been
enrolled during last three years i.e. from 2022-23 to 2024-25 (Upto Kharif 2024).
(d) & (e) : Following technologies have also been implemented recently w.e.f. 2023-24
under the scheme to facilitate fair, transparent and objective Crop Damage & Loss
Assessment:
i. YES-TECH (Yield Estimation System Based on Technology) envisages 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) envisages 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
Gram Panchayat & 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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