National Farmers Society, IndiaAI, Wadhwani MoU for AI in Agriculture

The agricultural sector in India is undergoing a major transformation with the advent of artificial intelligence (AI). AI is a branch of computer science that enables machines to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as learning, reasoning, and decision-making. AI has the potential to revolutionize various aspects of agriculture, such as crop monitoring, yield prediction, pest control, resource optimization, and farmer advisory.

To harness the power of AI for enhancing the productivity and sustainability of Indian agriculture, a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed on January 17, 2024, between the National Farmers Society, IndiaAI under Digital India Corporation, and Wadhwani Foundation. This MOU aims to foster innovation and knowledge for a more prosperous and food-secure future.

The National Farmers Society is a government body that implements various schemes and programmes for the welfare of farmers across the country. IndiaAI is an initiative of the Digital India Corporation under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology that promotes the development and adoption of AI in various sectors. Wadhwani Foundation is a philanthropic organization that supports entrepreneurship, innovation, and skilling initiatives in India and other emerging economies.

The collaboration between these three entities will focus on the following objectives:

  • Developing and deploying AI-driven solutions for various agricultural challenges, such as crop monitoring, yield prediction, pest control, resource optimization, and farmer advisory.
  • Creating a platform for sharing best practices, data, and insights on AI in agriculture among various stakeholders, such as farmers, researchers, policymakers, and industry players.
  • Building capacity and awareness among farmers and other stakeholders on the benefits and use cases of AI in agriculture.
  • Evaluating the impact and outcomes of AI-driven interventions on the productivity, profitability, and sustainability of agriculture.

The MOU will leverage the expertise and resources of each partner to achieve these objectives. The National Farmers Society will provide domain knowledge, data access, and farmer outreach. IndiaAI will provide technical support, infrastructure, and ecosystem development. Wadhwani Foundation will provide strategic guidance, project management, and impact assessment.

One of the key features of this collaboration is the integration of Kisan e-Mitra, an AI-powered chatbot that provides digital assistance to farmers. Kisan e-Mitra is designed to address the queries of farmers in their own languages, thereby removing the existing technological and language barriers. Kisan e-Mitra is initially available in five languages: English, Hindi, Odiya, Tamil and Bangla. The chatbot can provide information on various aspects of agriculture such as crop selection, input usage, pest management, market access etc. Kisan e-Mitra can also help farmers to register for the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme which provides financial support to land-holding farmers [1].

Another key feature of this collaboration is the implementation of National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS) which uses AI/ML technologies for pest forecasting. NPSS is an initiative of the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW), Government of India which aims to provide instantaneous solutions to the farming community to overcome the destruction caused by pest attacks. NPSS uses satellite imagery, drones, sensors etc. to monitor pest populations and their dynamics across crops and regions. NPSS also provides timely advisories to farmers on pest management practices based on pest thresholds.

The MOU is expected to have a positive impact on the agricultural sector in India by:

  • Improving crop yields and quality by using AI to monitor soil health, crop growth, weather patterns, and pest infestation. According to a report by NASSCOM, AI can increase crop yields by up to 30% by providing real-time advisories to farmers based on satellite imagery and sensor data .
  • Reducing input costs and wastage by using AI to optimize resource allocation, irrigation scheduling, fertilizer application, and post-harvest management. According to a study by Mordor Intelligence, AI can reduce water consumption by up to 25% by using smart irrigation systems that adjust water flow according to soil moisture levels .
  • Increasing farmer income and livelihood by using AI to provide timely and personalized advisory services, market linkages, and financial inclusion. According to a case study by Bhajan Global Impact Foundation, AI can increase farmer income by up to 50% by providing customized recommendations on crop selection, input usage, pest management, and market access .
  • Enhancing environmental sustainability by using AI to promote climate-smart agriculture practices, such as precision farming, conservation agriculture, and agroforestry. According to a report by World Economic Forum (WEF), AI can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 20% by enabling low-carbon farming methods that sequester carbon in the soil .

The MOU is a significant step towards making India a global leader in AI-driven digital agriculture. It will not only benefit Indian farmers but also contribute to the global goals of food security, poverty alleviation, and climate action.

Share:

MORE STORIES

## Navigating the AI Revolution: 5 Trending Google Ads Topics for Marketers As Google Ads continues its rapid evolution, staying ahead of the curve is paramount for digital marketers. The platform’s increasing reliance on artificial intelligence, shifting privacy landscapes, and the introduction of new campaign types are creating a fresh set of challenges and opportunities. Here are five top trending blog topics that delve into the most critical areas of Google Ads today. ### 1. The Rise of the Machines: Mastering AI-Powered Campaign Types Google is unequivocally betting on AI to drive the future of its advertising platform. A key area of focus for marketers is understanding and mastering AI-driven campaign types like Performance Max and Demand Gen. These campaigns automate targeting, bidding, and ad creation across Google’s entire inventory. A deep dive into strategies for providing the right inputs to these “black box” models, interpreting their performance, and understanding how to guide the AI for optimal results is a crucial topic for advertisers looking to succeed in this new era. ### 2. Beyond the Click: Navigating the New Landscape of Measurement and Attribution With the impending deprecation of third-party cookies and a growing emphasis on user privacy, the way advertisers measure success is undergoing a fundamental shift. This has propelled topics like enhanced conversions, consent mode, and the integration of first-party data to the forefront. Marketers are actively seeking guidance on how to implement these privacy-centric measurement solutions to gain a more accurate and holistic view of their campaign performance in a world without granular user tracking. ### 3. Creative is the New Targeting: Leveraging AI for Compelling Ad Experiences In an automated world, the creative has become a key differentiator. Google is investing heavily in AI-powered tools that can generate and optimize ad copy, images, and videos. Blog posts that explore how to effectively use these generative AI features to create a high volume of diverse and engaging ad creatives are gaining significant traction. This includes best practices for providing creative inputs, A/B testing AI-generated assets, and ensuring brand consistency across automated campaigns. ### 4. The Evolution of Search: Adapting to a More Conversational and Visual SERP The traditional keyword-based search is evolving. Users are increasingly employing longer, more conversational queries, and Google is responding with a more visual and AI-driven search engine results page (SERP). This shift requires a re-evaluation of traditional keyword research and bidding strategies. Trending discussions revolve around how to adapt to this new reality, including the role of broad match keywords, the importance of high-quality creative in visual search formats, and strategies for capturing intent in a more conversational search landscape. ### 5. Future-Proofing Your Strategy: The Growing Importance of a Full-Funnel Approach As automation takes over many of the manual levers within Google Ads, the focus is shifting towards a more strategic, full-funnel marketing approach. Advertisers are looking for insights on how to effectively use different Google Ads campaign types to guide users through the entire customer journey, from initial awareness to final conversion and retention. This includes discussions on how to structure campaigns to complement each other, allocate budgets across the funnel, and measure the impact of upper-funnel activities on bottom-line results.

Google Ads is in the midst of a quiet revolution—one driven by artificial intelligence, privacy-first regulations, and a rapidly changing search landscape. For digital marketers,

Send Us A Message