Ministry of Agriculture to use AI and Machine Learning models for pest forecasting
19 January 2024, New Delhi: The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India, is leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies for the benefit of farmers and to increase overall productivity. The ministry will use advanced technologies to address the challenges faced by the farmers in India through India Digital Ecosystem Architecture (InDEA) 2.0’s network approach, designed by the Ministry of Electronics & IT, Government of India.
A significant milestone in this journey is the development of ‘Kisan e-Mitra,’ an AI-powered chatbot addressing farmers’ queries about the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme. This comprehensive solution, available in Hindi, Tamil, Odia, Bangla, and English, is evolving to support other government programs and has been accessed by more than 21 lakh farmers within 2 months.
Additionally, the Ministry is developing a National Pest Surveillance System in collaboration with the private sector. AI and Machine Learning (ML) models detect crop issues, offering timely information to farmers for swift action. This initiative is expected to result in healthier crops, potentially boosting yields and improving farmers’ livelihoods.
On 17th January 2024, a Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the National Farmers’ Welfare Programme Implementation Society, IndiaAI under Digital India Corporation, and the Wadhwani Foundation. The MoU was signed in the presence of Manoj Ahuja, Secretary, Dr. P.K. Meherda, Additional Secretary, Ms. Ruchika Gupta, Advisor(Digital), Samuel Praveen Kumar, Joint Secretary(Extn.), Muktanand Agrawal, Director (Digital), other senior officials from Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Ministry of Electronics & IT and Shri Prakash Kumar, CEO, Wadhwani Institute of Technology and Policy.
Manoj Ahuja emphasized AI’s game-changing role, citing capabilities in advisories, feedback collection, crop monitoring, yield prediction, pest control, and resource optimization. Prakash Kumar expressed delight in embarking on a groundbreaking journey with the Ministry, sowing the seeds of innovation and knowledge for a more prosperous and food-secure future.
As per the MoU, the Wadhwani Foundation will provide critical support in formulating and executing an AI strategy. The Foundation commits to assisting the Ministry in establishing India as a global leader in AI-driven digital agriculture transformation, aligning with MeitY’s National Plan for AI.
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