Context:
Nabcons, the consultancy arm of NABARD, is leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI), GIS, and open-source technologies to promote sustainable agriculture, monitor water bodies, and help smallholder farmers monetise carbon credits. The firm has also exceeded its annual business and revenue targets in FY25.
Key Technological Interventions
AI for Water Body Monitoring – Tamil Nadu
- Nabcons has developed an AI-based Hawk-Eye system for the Tamil Nadu Single Window for Integrated Waterbody Protection.
- Functions:
- Real-time health monitoring of water bodies around Chennai.
- Detection of encroachments using satellite imagery.
- Alerts authorities about violations and flood threats due to sudden rainfall.
Digital Dairy Receivables – Bihar
- A SaaS model is being developed for Bihar State Milk Cooperative Federation Ltd (COMFED).
- Aim: To digitise dairy receivables and operations of milk farmer unions and collection units.
Kathir Platform – Kerala
- Nabcons built Kathir (earlier Kerala Krishi Hub), a digital agriculture platform for the state.
- Features:
- Integrates services for farmers, agri departments, vendors, and surveyors.
- Supports data-driven decision-making across the agricultural value chain.
Carbon Credit Programme – Karnataka (Kolar District)
- A pilot initiative in partnership with Rabobank, targeting small and marginal agroforestry farmers.
- Utilises satellite imagery and ground-truthing to calculate Carbon Removal Units (CRUs).
- CRUs are sold to global corporations via Rabobank’s ACORN platform.
- No secondary market exists for these CRUs, ensuring direct farmer-to-buyer transactions.
BL
