Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft, would be travelling to India in a few days — his third visit in three years. During his last visit, Mr. Gates said he got a chance to see how AI is being used by farmers in Odisha.
“I saw farmers using AI-powered tools to predict weather patterns, choose crops, and reduce disease risks. I’m looking forward to seeing how much better those tools have gotten in the short time since”, said Mr. Gates in his blog.
Odisha Farmers Embracing AI in Agriculture
The Hindu spoke to Odisha farmers who gave specific examples of AI-driven apps and platforms that they use. They talk about uploading photos of diseases such as blight on paddy onto the apps and receiving mitigation suggestions.
The Department of Agriculture and Farmer’s Empowerment, Odisha has been working with Gates Foundation and its partner Samagra, a governance consulting firm, in implementing digital agriculture initiatives in the state for over five years. The partnership aims to make farmers use technology in their day-to-day activities and service deliveries.
Innovative AI-Driven Solutions for Farmers
The Krushi Samruddhi Kendra Advisory system, a two-way voice-based platform, was developed to deliver weekly audio messages to farmers and allow them to call in for free, ask questions, and receive live responses from local agronomists.
Farmers are registered onto the Krushak Odisha Portal where they provide details about their location, crops, livestock, and more. Based on this data, the Krushi Samruddhi Advisory System sends needs-based advisories to farmers regarding weather, pests, diseases, and overall crop management.
GO-SUGAM, a single-window platform, was developed to help farmers access government schemes for agriculture and its allied sectors easily. It also assists in tracking the schemes and assessing the most needed ones at the ground level.
Positive Impact on Farmers
Many farmers have reported improved crop management, pest control, and increased productivity due to these digital initiatives. The platforms have made it easier for farmers to diagnose diseases in crops and access necessary information.
Sujit Das, a farmer from Umerkote in Odisha’s Nabarangpur district, mentioned how these platforms have helped him identify and manage crop diseases effectively. Similarly, Sankhajini Pradhan shared her positive experience of using the Krushi Samruddhi AI Chatbot to address crop issues during the Rabi season.
Overall, the integration of AI and digital platforms in agriculture has brought significant benefits to farmers in Odisha, enhancing their productivity and efficiency in farming practices.
