Government Pushes Agri-Tech Adoption to Transform Farming in India
The Indian Government is actively promoting cutting-edge technologies in agriculture, with a focus on precision farming, drone usage, and climate-smart practices. Through various initiatives, the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) aims to enhance productivity, sustainability, and the livelihoods of farmers across the country. The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and drones into agricultural practices is set to revolutionize the sector and help address pressing challenges faced by farmers.
Innovative Tools for Farmers
One of the standout initiatives is the “Kisan e-Mitra,” an AI-powered chatbot designed to assist farmers with their questions regarding the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, PM Fasal Bima Yojana, and Kisan Credit Card. The platform, supporting 11 regional languages, handles over 8000 inquiries daily and has resolved more than 93 lakh queries thus far.
In response to the threats posed by climate change, the government has also introduced the National Pest Surveillance System, which uses AI and Machine Learning to identify pest infestations. Currently utilized by over 10,000 extension workers, this system allows farmers to capture and send images of pests for timely interventions, covering 66 crops and over 432 types of pests. This proactive approach helps minimize crop damage and losses.
Enhancing Weather Predictability
A pilot project conducted with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) provided localized monsoon forecasts to 3,88,45,214 farmers across 13 states via SMS. Feedback indicates that 31–52% of farmers adjusted their planting strategies following these forecasts, demonstrating the power of timely information in agricultural planning.
Through the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM), the government aims to ease the financial burden on small and marginal farmers, particularly women, by offering a 50% subsidy (up to Rs. 5.00 lakhs) for drone purchases. Additionally, Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs) are financed to provide essential machinery and drones on a rental basis for those unable to purchase them outright. From 2023-24 to 2025-26, 2122 drones have already been approved for distribution.
Empowering Women Through Drone Technology
The ‘NAMO DRONE DIDI’ scheme targets Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) by providing them with drones to support sustainable business practices. So far, 1094 drones have been allocated, with studies indicating significant improvements in agricultural efficiency and income for participating women groups.
Widespread Drone Demonstrations
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is playing a vital role in promoting drone technology through extensive demonstrations across 41010 hectares, benefiting over 452291 farmers. The goal is to familiarize farmers with modern agricultural tools that can significantly boost productivity.
This information was shared by Shri Ramnath Thakur, Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, during a written response in the Lok Sabha, highlighting the government’s commitment to advancing agricultural practices in India through technology.
Observer Voice is the one stop site for National, International news, Sports, Editor’s Choice, Art/culture contents, Quotes and much more. We also cover historical contents. Historical contents includes World History, Indian History, and what happened today. The website also covers Entertainment across the India and World.
Follow Us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, & LinkedIn
