AI: The Sixth Input for Indian Agriculture
After land, labour, water, seed and fertiliser
AI: The Sixth Input for Indian Agriculture. AI is changing farming in India in a big way. Many Indian farmers work on small pieces of land. They face problems like unpredictable weather, pests, lack of water, and low crop prices. AI tools act like a smart helper. They give quick advice and help farmers make better decisions.
By- Dr. Namrata Mishra Tiwari, Chief Editor http://indiainput.com
How AI Helps Farmers
Better Weather and Planting Advice – AI looks at past weather data, satellite pictures, and local soil information. It tells farmers the best time to plant, which crop will grow well, and when rain might come. For example, the government sent AI weather forecasts to 38 million farmers. These forecasts predicted the monsoon arrival up to 30 days early. This helped farmers plan and avoid big losses.
Smart Water Use (Irrigation) – Water is a big issue in India. AI sensors check soil wetness and weather. They tell farmers exactly when and how much to water. This can save up to 30–50% of water. Startups like Fasal and Cultyvate use AI to run drip irrigation automatically through mobile phones. In places like Jharkhand and Tamil Nadu, farmers increased yields while using less water and electricity.
Crop Yield and Market Help – AI predicts how much crop a farmer will get. It also shows future market prices so farmers know when to sell. Apps like DeHaat, AgriBazaar, and Farmonaut connect farmers directly to buyers. This gives better prices and reduces middlemen.
Government Efforts
The Indian government is pushing AI hard. Key programs include:
- Kisan e-Mitra: An AI chatbot in many Indian languages. Farmers ask questions about schemes like PM Kisan, weather, or pests — and get fast answers.
- Bharat VISTAAR (announced in Budget 2026): A new AI platform that gives personalized advice on crops, soil, pests, water, and markets.
- Agri Stack and IndiaAI Mission: These collect farm data and make AI tools available to more people.
- State programs like Saagu Baagu in Telangana helped chili farmers earn more money (up to 8–30% higher yields and prices). Similar success happened in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra (MahaVistaar), and other states.
Real Success Stories
- In Telangana, thousands of farmers used AI for soil testing, pest alerts, and market links. Many doubled their income.
- In Tamil Nadu, startup Farm Again helped over 3,500 farmers save water and grow more on 4,000+ acres.
- Farmers using tools like Farmonaut or Microsoft’s AI apps saw 20–40% better yields and lower costs.
Challenges and the Future
Not every farmer has a smartphone or good internet yet. Many need training to use these tools. But the government and startups are working to make AI simple, cheap, and available in local languages like Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, and more.
Experts say by 2025–2030, AI can help raise crop yields by 20–30% across India. It can also save water, reduce waste, and fight climate change effects.
The message is clear: AI will not replace farmers. It makes good farmers even better. Those who learn to use AI well will grow more, earn more, and face fewer risks. In India’s villages, AI is becoming a new friend for every farmer.
SOURCE :
https://www.niti.gov.in/artificial-intelligence-revolutionising-agriculture
https://agriwelfare.gov.in/en/DigiAgriDiv
https://indiaai.gov.in/ministries/ministry-of-agriculture
https://agriwelfare.gov.in/en/DigiAgriDiv
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सावधान ! “कहीं आप भी तो नहीं हो रहे इस ‘पैनिक गैंग’ का शिकार?”
सावधान ! “कहीं आप भी तो नहीं हो रहे इस ‘पैनिक गैंग’ का शिकार?”
