Context:
To enhance crop productivity, sustainability, and farmer incomes, the Government of India has deployed Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and drone-based solutions across multiple schemes and platforms. These initiatives aim to tackle real-time challenges like pest attacks, inefficient farm practices, and the digital gap among smallholder farmers.
Key Digital and AI-Driven Initiatives
Kisan e-Mitra (AI Chatbot for Farmer Queries)
- Description: Voice-based AI-powered chatbot designed to assist farmers with queries related to government schemes, especially PM-KISAN.
- Language Support: 11 regional languages.
- Usage Stats: Handles 20,000+ queries daily; has responded to over 95 lakh farmer queries.
- Future Scope: Being upgraded to provide assistance across other agricultural and welfare schemes.
National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS)
- Objective: To reduce crop losses due to climate-induced pest outbreaks.
- Technology: Uses AI and Machine Learning to detect pest infestations through image recognition.
- Coverage: Supports 61 crops and over 400 pest species.
- Reach: 10,000+ extension workers currently use the system.
- Function: Allows farmers to upload pest images for instant diagnosis and preventive action.
Satellite-Based Crop Mapping
- Application: AI-based analytics using geo-tagged field photos and satellite imagery.
- Purpose: Enables crop-weather monitoring, yield estimation, and real-time decision-making.
Drone-Based Support in Agriculture
Drone Subsidy Under SMAM (Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization)
- Beneficiaries:
- ICAR/KVKs/SAUs/PSUs: 100% subsidy (up to ₹10 lakh per drone).
- FPOs: Up to 75% subsidy for demonstration use.
- CHCs (Cooperative/FPOs/Rural Entrepreneurs):
- 40% subsidy (max ₹4 lakh).
- 50% subsidy (max ₹5 lakh) for agriculture graduates.
- Individual Farmers:
- SC/ST/Women/NE States/Small & Marginal: 50% subsidy (max ₹5 lakh).
- Others: 40% subsidy (max ₹4 lakh).
Namo Drone Didi Scheme (2023–26)
- Type: Central Sector Scheme with ₹1,261 crore outlay.
- Aim: To empower Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) as drone service providers, boost mechanized agriculture, and enhance rural livelihoods.
- Targets:
- Distribution of 15,000 drones to SHGs over three years.
- 80% government subsidy (max ₹8 lakh); SHGs contribute 20%.
- SHGs can avail Agri Infra Financing (AIF) with 3% interest subvention on loans.
- Progress:
- 1,094 drones distributed by fertilizer companies in 2023–24 using internal resources.
- Of these, 500 drones were allocated directly under the Namo Drone Didi scheme.
