Use of Artificial Intelligence, IoT, and Drones in Indian Agriculture

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.

PIB