Artificial Intelligence for Success in Agriculture- Ram Nath Kovind

Speaking at the 13th edition of CII Agro Tech India-2018 in Chandigarh, President Kovind said, “Reinforcing what the Narendra Modi-led government has been propagating in their tenure, a “strong bond” was crucial between agriculture and technology.” In previous decades, manufacturing and mechanization have been of appreciable utility to agriculture. Today a strong relationship is emerging between agriculture and the services sector.” 

BIOTECHNOLOGY, NANOTECHNOLOGY, DATA SCIENCE, REMOTE-SENSING IMAGING, AUTONOMOUS AERIAL AND GROUND VEHICLES, AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE HOLD THE KEY TO GENERATING MORE VALUE FOR AGRICULTURE. 

The National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) had unveiled a discussion paper earlier this year which addressed the national strategy on artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies in India. There are  five sectors to focus by government & its efforts towards the implementation of AI to serve societal needs. They are Healthcare, Agriculture, Education, Smart Cities and Infrastructure, Smart Mobility and Transportation.

Microsoft is now taking AI in agriculture a step further. A collaboration with United Phosphorous (UPL), India’s largest producer of agrochemicals, led to the creation of the Pest Risk Prediction API that again leverages AI and machine learning to indicate in advance the risk of pest attack. Common pest attacks, such as Jassids, Thrips, Whitefly, and Aphids can pose serious damage to crops and impact crop yield. To help farmers take preventive action, the Pest Risk Prediction App, providing guidance on the probability of pest attacks was initiated. 

The BJP-led government has put enough importance towards new technologies starting various new programmes and setting up an AI Task Force to prepare India for the upcoming Industrial Revolution 4.0. Through a series of events and speeches from earlier this year, PM Modi is seen to have been deliberately showcasing India as well as his government as technologically forward.