The central government intends using drones to settle insurance claims under the new crop insurance scheme — Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) – and other such products, reports Business Standard.
The drones are expected to help insurance firms assess damage claims exactly so settlement of claims could be expedited. Under PMFBY, insurers have to settle claims within 45 days of the application made.
The drones, being developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, are part of a comprehensive project to develop a drone-based crop and soil monitoring system.
The project is funded by the Department of Electronics and Information Technology, Information Technology Research Academy, and Indian Council for Scientific Research.
If successful, this technology could be integrated with satellite-based technologies for large-scale applications, which would further help in the crop damage assessment.
