A new era of agricultural practices is on the rise owing to recent advancements in technology. With about 58% of India’s population depending on farming for their livelihood, adoption of high-end technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) in agriculture has become necessary. These technologies are not only beneficial in streamlining farm operations and increasing productivity, but also essential in making agriculture more sustainable and resilient to climate change.
The Need for AI and IoT in Indian Agriculture
The burgeoning population of India coupled with unpredictable weather conditions make it vital to revolutionize traditional farming methods. AI and IoT hold immense potential to tackle these challenges. They can help improve resource utilization, crop health management, and predictive analysis, enabling farmers to make informed decisions. Furthermore, integrating these two technologies can enhance traceability, aiding in achieving high-quality crop production.
With the world showcasing a shift towards smart farming techniques, India too needs to adapt and innovate to keep pace with the global trend. Revolutionary technologies in AI such as Machine Learning (ML), cloud computing, statistical computing, and Augmented Reality (AR) could enable the farming sector to overcome obstacles related to productivity, quality, traceability and carbon emission, ultimately leading to enhanced profitability.
Applications of AI in Agriculture
Use of AI in agriculture has transformed farming by presenting solutions to everyday farming challenges. AI assists in analyzing farm data in real-time, thus providing valuable insights on weather conditions, temperature, soil conditions, and water usage. Furthermore, AI-infused technologies are used in precision agriculture to detect plant diseases, pests and poor plant nutrition, leading to increased productivity.
AI technologies are also tackling the widespread labor shortage in agriculture through AI bots, which provide round the clock workforce. AI bots not only harvest crops faster than human labor but can also identify and eliminate weeds with better precision, thereby reducing farm costs. Following the trend, farmers are now turning to chatbots for advice and recommendations on specific farm issues.
Government Initiatives Promoting AI and IoT in Agriculture
The Indian government has launched many initiatives to promote the use of AI and IoT in the agricultural sector. One such initiative is the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) which aims to spur innovation in advanced technology. Under this mission, 25 Technology Innovation Hubs (TIHs) have been set up across the country.
Other initiatives include setting up Centres of Excellence on Internet of Things as part of the Digital India endeavor and implementing the National e-Governance Plan in Agriculture that funds innovative digital agriculture projects.
The Innovation and Agri-Entrepreneurship Development program under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana promotes innovation and entrepreneurship by providing financial support and nurturing the incubation ecosystem. It has appointed five Knowledge Partners and 24 Agribusiness Incubators across the country to aid in this endeavor.
The Future of AI and IoT in Indian Agriculture
With recent reforms in the agricultural sector, there is a likelihood of increased investments in contract farming and technology infusion for improved yield and productivity. This will further streamline the adoption of AI in agriculture. However, these AI solutions need increased investments from both the public and private sectors to scale up.
The emergence of agritech startups in India has seen a huge surge, driven by advanced technology penetration and a conducive policy environment. Advanced technologies like AI, ML, IoT and blockchain have just started penetrating the agricultural sector. These technologies, in combination, can revolutionize the agricultural sector and help it adapt to unpredictable climatic conditions.