Source: BL
Context:
The SBI Foundation, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of the State Bank of India (SBI), has launched the SMART-CROP Project — Sustainable Monitoring and Real-time Tracking for Crop Resilience and Optimal Practices — to enhance climate resilience, productivity, and sustainability among smallholder farmers.
Launch Details:
- Event Venue: Hyderabad
- Participants: Farmers from project locations (both in-person and virtual participation)
- Supported Under: SBI Foundation’s LEAP Programme (Livelihood and Entrepreneurship Accelerator Programme)
- Duration: 3 years
Implementing Partners:
- University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Raichur
- International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)
- Agribridge
Coverage and Beneficiaries:
- States Covered: Karnataka (Bidar, Kalaburagi, Raichur) and Telangana (Sangareddy, Vikarabad)
- Beneficiaries: Over 8,000 smallholder farmers
Key Highlights:
- Technology Integration:
- Use of satellite imaging, remote sensing, and AI/ML analytics for real-time crop stress monitoring.
- Enables early detection of climate risks, pest/disease outbreaks, and soil degradation.
- Focus Crops: Chickpea and pigeonpea (pulse crops)
- Digital Inclusion: Farmers will receive actionable insights through data-driven platforms to improve decision-making and adopt climate-smart practices.
- Research Component: Socio-economic assessments will study yield gaps, impact of early detection tools, and agroecological benefits.
