Slowly and steadily, technology is making inroads into every industry, every domain. It is for the many benefits and smooth processing of things that technology is becoming the backbone of every vertical. Gradually, it is making entry into the agricultural sector too. The use of technology is essential as organised and efficient crop cultivation is becoming a necessity. According to the UN, the world population is projected to increase from the present 7.2 billion to 9.6 billion by 2050. The scenario is equally precarious in India, which is the second most populous country. So, making farms more equipped and efficient to take care of the food requirements is a mammoth task before authorities the world over. In such a situation, how can the government know about its farmlands and if they can produce enough for their population? It gets even more challenging for the Indian authorities as most of the farms are not tracked and are still using the traditional form of farming.
The Birth & Rise of Crop Cutting Experiments
For more precise information, regarding crop yield, the method of Crop Cutting Experiments or CCE is coming to the rescue of authorities. With this methodology, the government and agricultural bodies can get an approximation of the yield of a crop and a region during its cultivation cycle. This method is gaining popularity and is known by different names in different areas. There is a traditional CCE method too. The basis of the traditional one is the yield component method in which specific locations get chosen and random samples get selected for study from the whole area. After the plot selection, the harvest from that area gets evaluated on different parameters like grain weight, biomass weight, moisture and other relevant factors. Based on the data collection, it is generalized for the entire region and an approximate estimate gets derived from the yield of the state or region.
CCE & Efficient Processing of Claims & Other Benefits
The data collected via the traditional CCE method is also being used by the central government for the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bhima Yojana (PMFBY). This scheme of the central government is facilitating seamless insurance claims of farmers by insurance companies. Under PMFBY, every state needs to carry out 4 CCEs in every gram Panchayat for every crop and submit the yield report within a month of harvest.
With this CCE yield report, the government is benefitting as it can plan its agricultural policies and programs accordingly. Likewise, even financial institutions get the required inputs before offering insurance cover in the event of crop failure or poor harvest. Further, it also opens the avenue of customising insurance schemes for every area and region.
The traditional CCE method, however, is not free of shortcomings. The biggest challenge remains the dependency on variables like administration set up, size and type of field staff, harvest conditions and farmer cooperation. In a country like India, where there are nearly 2.5 lakh gram panchayats, the situation remains grave. Adding to the concerns are the facts like inadequate and untrained labour and small-time frame for executing experiments. Further, a need for a more efficient means is getting far vital considering the short span of harvest window.
Technology in Agriculture
With different technological advancements and satellite imagery, the traditional method of CCE is being made efficient and fool-proof. The CCE points are getting selected with more precision, and there is a timely estimation of the yield. To make the CCE experiments, more scientific and accurate, the AI and ML-based agritech platforms can provide ground level data and satellite imagery for identifying plots that are ideal for such experiments. With the advent of advanced technologies, the government officials can identify the right plot for CCE and subsequently get more scientific, accurate and scalable reports. These reports also benefit the insurance companies, manifold in the processing of claims and crop yield assessments.
Multi-Pronged Benefits of Technology in Agriculture
The use of technology in agriculture is useful for the entire agriculture ecosystem. It has far-reaching impacts at every level, for the government, insurance companies and farmers. The government can get maximum CCE experiments done within the short harvest window with limited manpower and more accurate reports. This digital medium proves useful for insurance companies as they get more precise reports. Besides, they can offer to customise crop insurance schemes to farmers and execute timely claim settlements in a just manner. These impartial and timely claims come as a blessing for the farmers.
Technology in agriculture is a reality, which is for the good of this sector and the world population. Accurate report generations can lead to better yield and faster processing of claims that reduces the burden on the farmers considerably. It is a move, which is becoming a necessity and needs to cover more areas and regions across the country and globe.
