The Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) recently introduced a mobile application and web portal for the General Crop Estimation Survey (GCES). Developed to revolutionize agriculture in India, this initiative leverages technology to improve government actions in the development sector. Automation of the GCES process promises timely reporting of crop statistics and data accuracy. Key features include a comprehensive database of yield estimations, village-specific GCES plans, and details of crop cutting experiments. The mobile app’s geo-referencing feature allows workers to delineate experimental plot boundaries and upload photos, ensuring data transparency and accuracy.
Facts/Terms for UPSC Prelims
- General Crop Estimation Survey (GCES): GCES is a survey conducted to estimate crop yields and other agricultural statistics. The new portal and mobile app aim to streamline this process for enhanced accuracy and efficiency.
- Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW): This department is responsible for agricultural policy and development in India. Its initiatives, like the GCES portal and app, aim to improve the welfare of farmers and advance agricultural practices.
- Technology Leveraging: The initiative emphasizes the use of technology to improve the effectiveness and outcomes of government programs, particularly in the agriculture sector.
- Data Accuracy: The automation of the GCES process ensures that crop statistics and data are reported accurately and in a timely manner, providing valuable information for agricultural planning and policy.
- Geo-referencing: This feature in the mobile application allows workers to define the geographic boundaries of experimental plots and upload photos, contributing to data transparency and accuracy by providing location-specific context.
