New Delhi: The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India, is spearheading the adoption of cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies to transform farming practices and enhance overall productivity. At the forefront of this digital transformation is the India Digital Ecosystem Architecture (InDEA) 2.0’s network approach, designed by the Ministry of Electronics & IT, Government of India, and championed by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
A significant achievement in this endeavour is the creation of ‘Kisan e-Mitra,’ an AI-powered chatbot designed to address farmers’ inquiries about the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme. Available in Hindi, Tamil, Odia, Bangla, and English, this comprehensive solution has rapidly gained popularity, with over 21 lakh farmers accessing it within just two months. The chatbot is evolving to encompass other government programs, ensuring broader utility.
Furthermore, the Ministry is collaborating with the private sector to develop a National Pest Surveillance System. This system uses AI and Machine Learning (ML) models to detect crop issues, providing timely information to farmers for prompt action. Implementing this initiative is anticipated to result in healthier crops, potentially boosting yields and improving farmers’ livelihoods.
On January 17, 2024, a Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the National Farmers’ Welfare Programme Implementation Society, India AI under Digital India Corporation, and the Wadhwani Foundation. According to the MoU, Wadhwani Foundation will play a crucial role in formulating and executing an AI strategy, pledging support to the Ministry in establishing India as a global leader in AI-driven digital agriculture transformation.
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