The Indian government has been actively leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to address various challenges faced by the agricultural sector. These technological advancements are aimed at boosting agricultural productivity, reducing costs, and improving farmers’ livelihoods. A press release on these advancements was issued on December 10, 2024.
AI-Powered Initiatives
- Kisan e-Mitra: This AI-powered chatbot assists farmers with queries related to the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, providing information in multiple languages. The chatbot’s capabilities are being expanded to support other government programs.
- National Pest Surveillance System: This system leverages AI and machine learning to detect crop issues early on, enabling timely interventions and preventing crop loss due to pests and diseases.
- AI-Based Crop Health Monitoring: AI-powered analytics analyze field photographs and satellite data to monitor crop health and recommend appropriate measures.
Water Conservation and Efficient Irrigation
The government has also implemented the Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) scheme to promote efficient water usage in agriculture. This scheme encourages the adoption of micro-irrigation techniques like drip and sprinkler irrigation, which can significantly reduce water consumption and improve crop yields.
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed IoT-based irrigation systems to further enhance water management practices.