The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare is spearheading a technological revolution in the agricultural sector by leveraging cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies. Setting a precedent for the integration of advanced technologies to address challenges faced by farmers, the Ministry is championing the India Digital Ecosystem Architecture (InDEA) 2.0’s network approach, designed by the Ministry of Electronics & IT, Government of India. A press release to this effect was issued on January 17, 2024.
A significant milestone in this journey is the development of ‘Kisan e-Mitra,’ an AI-powered chatbot designed to address farmers’ queries regarding the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme. Available in Hindi, Tamil, Odia, Bangla, and English, this comprehensive solution has rapidly evolved to support other government programs. Within just two months, ‘Kisan e-Mitra’ has been accessed by more than 21 lakh farmers, showcasing its effectiveness and widespread adoption.
In a collaborative effort with the private sector, the Ministry is developing a National Pest Surveillance System. This initiative utilizes AI and Machine Learning (ML) models to detect crop issues, providing timely information to farmers for swift action. The goal is to promote healthier crops, potentially boosting yields and improving farmers’ livelihoods.
A significant step towards achieving these objectives occurred on January 17, 2024, with the signing of a Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The MoU involved the National Farmers’ Welfare Programme Implementation Society, IndiaAI under Digital India Corporation, and Wadhwani Foundation.
The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, highlighted the game-changing role of AI in agriculture, emphasizing its capabilities in advisories, feedback collection, crop monitoring, yield prediction, pest control, and resource optimization. The CEO of Wadhwani Institute of Technology and Policy, 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.
