11-06-2025
New scheme to study crops using AI: What is CROPIC
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare plans to launch CROPIC, a study to gather crop information using field photographs and AI-based models. Why is this study significant and how will it be used?
CROPIC stands for Collection of Real Time Observations & Photo of Crops. According to the plan, crops will be photographed four-five times during their cycle, and the pictures will be analysed to assess their health and potential mid-season losses.
The study will be carried out for two seasons initially, kharif 2025 and rabi 2025-26.
How will CROPIC work on the ground?
The study envisages collection of field photographs during the crop season using a mobile application. The CROPIC mobile app has been developed by the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare.
The photographs from the field will be crowd-sourced directly from farmers. Then, they will be analysed for information including crop type, crop stage, crop damage and its extent.
The CROPIC model will use an AI-based cloud platform for photo analysis and information extraction, and a web-based dashboard for visualisation.
Also, when compensation or insurance is to be paid to farmers, officials will collect the photographs using the CROPIC Mobile App.
What is the purpose of the study?
The agriculture ministry plans to conduct this study for the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). It will assist in creating a rich directory of crop signatures, and will also lead to automation of loss assessment and compensation to eligible farmers under PMFBY.
'CROPIC is an initiative under PMFBY with a dual purpose of monitoring crop health and stress and automation of crop loss assessment and payment of claims to affected farmers using computer vision technology and photo-analytic models. This initiative is part of digital innovations in agriculture for fostering financial resilience,' said a source.
What is the timeline of the project?
The Agriculture Ministry invited an Expression of Interest (EoI) on June 5 to select agencies to conduct the study.
CROPIC will be rolled out initially in at least 50 districts per season. These districts will be well distributed in different agro-climatic zones covering the three major notified crops (notified crops are those covered under insurance schemes like PMFBY) in each district for each season, initially.
The government will identify the three crops and the 50 districts. However, all crops notified under PMFBY will eventually be covered under CROPIC. 'CROPIC is as of now under pilot studies for research and development of suitable photo-analytic models. The pilot studies shall continue for the two upcoming seasons, and are expected to be rolled-out nationwide from 2026 for all major crops,' said the source.
How much money will be spent on the project?
According to agriculture ministry officials, the Fund for Innovation and Technology (FIAT) under PMFBY will be used for funding CROPIC. The FIAT has a total outlay of Rs 825 crore for different technology innovations under crop insurance schemes.
Harikishan Sharma, Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express' National Bureau, specializes in reporting on governance, policy, and data. He covers the Prime Minister's Office and pivotal central ministries, such as the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, Ministry of Cooperation, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of Rural Development, and Ministry of Jal Shakti. His work primarily revolves around reporting and policy analysis. In addition to this, he authors a weekly column titled "STATE-ISTICALLY SPEAKING," which is prominently featured on The Indian Express website. In this column, he immerses readers in narratives deeply rooted in socio-economic, political, and electoral data, providing insightful perspectives on these critical aspects of governance and society. ... Read More
