What happened
The Government announced the implementation approach for YES-TECH (Technology-based yield estimation) for objective crop damage and loss assessment under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). YES-TECH is being rolled out from Kharif 2023 with further expansion and a planned migration path toward remote sensing based yield estimation.
Background and earlier position
PMFBY envisages adoption of improved technology for yield assessment used in crop insurance claims. In the Government’s announced design, the yield-estimation function is moving toward more technology-led methods for “fair and accurate crop yield estimation,” supported by YES-TECH and then a gradual shift to remote sensing based approaches.
What changed now
YES-TECH implementation has multiple rollout and compliance features: (1) product-wise entry points—paddy and wheat from Kharif 2023, soybean from Kharif 2024; (2) mandatory technology weightage in yield estimation; (3) state-wise weightage assignments for the insurance season 2025-26; and (4) expansion scale in the year 2025-26 through district coverage and a review mechanism with stakeholders.
Related current affairs
- PMFBY technology tools for yield and weather estimation: YES-TECH, WINDS, CROPIC and link to weather-based insurance products
- Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY): coverage, premium structure, budget allocation and key achievements
- Crop Insurance: Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana to be implemented in Bihar
- Use of Crop Loss Assessment App (CLAP) made mandatory under PMFBY for localized crop loss assessment
- PMFBY/RWBCIS: methodology of crop loss assessment and steps for timely claim settlement
- PMFBY digital and governance framework: NCIP, DigiClaim, land-record integration, CCE Agri app, CROPIC and grievance redressal