The state of Kerala is gearing up for a groundbreaking initiative in the agricultural sector—the Digital Crop Survey (DCS). Spearheaded by the central and state governments, this ambitious program aims to transform the way data on crops cultivated across farmlands is collected and utilized.
The DCS is set to be implemented by NABCONS, the consultancy wing of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, which will ensure smooth execution and management of the survey.
Currently, agricultural data is gathered through the economics and statistics department, relying on information from local agriculture offices and related authorities. However, this process has its limitations, as it lacks field visits to verify the accuracy of the data.
The Digital Crop Survey seeks to overcome this issue by utilizing advanced technologies such as AI, Machine Learning, visual and advanced analytics, and geotagging. By harnessing the power of these cutting-edge technologies, the DCS aims to provide authenticated data on farmers and the crops they cultivate.
This wealth of real-time data will pave the way for the development of farmer-centric policies, precise crop planning, accurate estimation, and support the functioning of Agri Techs industry and startups. The National Informatics Centre has played a crucial role in the program's development by creating a web application and mobile app. These tools will streamline data collection and ensure seamless access for both surveyors and farmers.
The estimated cost of conducting the Digital Crop Survey in Kerala is Rs 30 crore, a sum that will be shared equally between the state government and NABCONS. The data collected through this comprehensive survey will not only revolutionize agricultural planning but also enhance the implementation of crop insurance schemes.
Presently, farmers in Kerala benefit from the state government's crop insurance schemes, including the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana and the Weather-based Crop Insurance Scheme. Integrating the data obtained from the Digital Crop Survey will enable accurate assessment of damages and effective assistance to those genuinely affected by crop losses.
Agriculture Minister P Prasad recently held a significant discussion with Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, apprising him of Kerala's plan to integrate the DCS with the Kerala Agri Stack program. This integration is expected to further amplify the impact of the survey and bolster the state's efforts to create a sustainable and technology-driven agricultural landscape.
