Context:
In a landmark step to boost climate-resilient agriculture, the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) has launched an AI-driven initiative to deliver personalised and real-time agrometeorological advisories to smallholder farmers. The programme is backed by the Government of India’s Monsoon Mission III and involves collaboration with ICAR, CRIDA, ILRI, IITM, and the IMD.
Key Features of the Initiative
AI-Driven Climate Advisory System:
- The project, titled “AI-powered Context-Specific Agromet Advisory Services for Climate-Resilient Agriculture at Scale,” aims to help farmers make informed decisions on:
- Sowing
- Irrigation
- Pest and disease management
- Uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) to generate hyper-local and actionable climate insights.
Pilot Implementation in Maharashtra:
- Initial deployment through ICAR’s Agro-Meteorological Field Units (AMFUs) in Maharashtra.
- Focus on reaching smallholder and marginal farmers.
- Pilot insights to guide national rollout and future South-South cooperation across developing countries.
Smart Delivery Platforms:
- AI-powered WhatsApp bot will ensure real-time, local-language dissemination.
- Designed for accessibility in remote rural areas with limited digital infrastructure.
Upgrade of iSAT Platform:
- The Intelligent Systems Advisory Tool (iSAT), originally developed during Monsoon Mission II, is being upgraded to:
- Integrate advanced AI algorithms
- Translate complex agronomic and climate data into personalised advisory
- Improve decision-making accuracy at the field level
Multi-Agency Partnership:
- Key stakeholders include:
- Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
- Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA)
- Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM)
- International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)
- India Meteorological Department (IMD)
Global Significance:
- Technology has potential for replication across climate-vulnerable regions of the Global South.
- Offers a scalable digital solution to support adaptive farming practices under increasing climate variability.
