Under FASAL programme, the Mahalanobis National Crop Forecast Centre (MNCFC) generates satellite-based pre-harvest crop production estimates for 11 major crops of the country (Paddy, Wheat, Jute, Cotton, Sugarcane, Soybean, Tur, Gram, Mustard, Lentil and Rabi Sorghum). Multispectral and microwave satellite data are used for crop mapping, and satellite-based indices along with weather data are utilized for crop yield estimation through Weather-based and Remote Sensing models.

The coverage of FASAL includes 20 states/557 districts. The state-wise number of districts are-Andhra Pradesh 26; Assam 33; Bihar -38; Chhattisgarh -33; Gujarat-29; Haryana-22; Himachal Pradesh-7; Jharkhand-24; Karnataka 22; Kerala 02; Madhya Pradesh-52; Maharashtra 29; Odisha 30; Punjab 22; Rajasthan 32; Tamil Nadu 21: Telangana 32; Uttar Pradesh 75: Uttarakhand 7; West Bengal -21.

Space based inputs are being utilized under PMFBY scheme which include planning of Crop Cutting Experiment (CCE's), yield estimation at Gram Panchayat level for Paddy, Wheat and Soybean under the YESTech (Yield Estimation System using Technology) and for addressing yield and area discrepancies issues.

DA&FW, along with MNCFC, is collaborating with ISRO for generation of operational crop yield estimates based on Semi-Physical model. ISROcentres also support in R&D activities for inclusion of new crops for assessment.

The State Agriculture departments are providing support for collection of Ground data required for training the model for crop mapping purpose under FASAL programme.

This information was given by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Ramnath Thakur in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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RC/AR

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