Page 40 - AI for Good-Innovate for Impact Final Report 2024

AI for Good-Innovate for Impact

Nations [1]. The Indian agriculture sector is expected to support the food security of more than
1.5 billion people by 2030 [4]. However, the productivity of agriculture and its allied sectors is
influenced by numerous factors, including climate conditions; soil fertility; crop breeding; water
management; seed quality, pesticides, fertilizers, and machinery; environmental sustainability;
farmer's training and education; market access, and government policies. Unfortunately, many
of these factors are managed using traditional methods and practices till now, which often limit
farmer’s livelihoods and grain productivity.

Several studies also suggest that intensive irrigation, fertilization can destroy the soil components
and nutrients, causing an increase in soil erosion which results in the reduction of the crop yield
[5]. Thus, there is a need for a transformation of the agriculture sector. The state-of-the-art
technologies of today combined with government policies can help various stakeholders to
make informed decisions to achieve the sustainable development goals of the United Nations.

In this direction, only recently, AI-driven technologies have entered the Indian agriculture
sector which assists farmers with precise information on farming techniques, agricultural water
management, soil health management and logistics, etc. According to the World Economic
Forum, the pilot study of agriculture-related AI technology on 7000 farmers in the Khammam
district of Telangana (India) showed promising results, where the net income of the farmers
using the AI technology had been doubled ($800 per acre) from the average income in 6
months. To significantly improve the livelihoods of Indian farmers, the adoption of these
technologies must occur on a large scale. The integration of artificial intelligence and other
modern technologies has the potential to revolutionize Indian agriculture, driving increased
productivity, sustainability, and economic growth across the sector.

However, the central bottleneck in this direction is the disaggregated data provided by various
agencies, e.g.:

(a) Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute (IASRI) provides data and analysis on Indian
agriculture, aiding in crop production, land use, and farmer demographics.
(b) Indian Institute of Soil Science (IISS) conducts research on soil fertility, and soil testing
services, enhancing soil health and crop productivity.
(c) National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning assesses soil resources and
provides land management recommendations, supporting sustainable agriculture.
(d) Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) offers weather forecasts and climate data, such
as rainfall patterns and temperature fluctuations, which are crucial for crop growth. IMD's
GKMS (Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa) scheme provides weather forecasts at district and
block levels, aiding farmers in decision-making and planning using Weather Based Agro
Advisory Services [3]. The Advisories are prepared by AMFUs (Around 130 Agromet Field
Units) and DAMUs (199 District Agromet Units), and disseminated through apps, social
media, and awareness programs [3].
(e) Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Bhuvan monitors land use and crop
health through satellite imagery and geospatial data, assisting in crop monitoring and
yield estimation.
(f) Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare formulates policies and programs to promote
agricultural development and ensure food security.
(g) Agmarknet (Agricultural Marketing Information Network) collects and disseminates
market information on agricultural commodities such as crop prices, market trends, and
trade statistics to support farmers, traders, and policymakers. Government initiatives
like the Kisan Suvidha App and eNAM (National Agriculture Market) facilitate access
to agricultural information and online trading platforms, improving market access and
reducing transaction costs for farmers. Open Government Data (OGD) Platform India

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