Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has called for the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into the state's agriculture sector in a bid to enhance crop production and reduce costs for farmers.
On Monday, a review meeting was held to discuss the feasibility of implementing AI in agriculture, which was chaired by Pawar at the Deputy Chief Minister’s Office.
Present at the meeting were key officials and experts, including State Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate, Minister of State for Agriculture Ashish Jaiswal (who joined via video conferencing), and other prominent figures such as Agriculture Commissioner Suraj Mandhare and Principal Secretary of the Agriculture Department Vikas Chandra Rastogi, among others.
The discussions were focused on leveraging AI to transform the farming landscape in Maharashtra.
Deputy Chief Minister Pawar expressed that AI has brought about revolutionary changes across various sectors globally, and agriculture must also embrace this transformation.
He highlighted several challenges faced by the agricultural sector, including unpredictable weather patterns, untimely rainfall, recurring crop diseases, and a shortage of labourers. Given these issues, Pawar stressed that AI is essential to increase farmers' productivity and reduce their operational costs.
The primary goal of using AI in agriculture, as outlined in the meeting, is to improve the overall efficiency and sustainability of farming. AI technologies can help in several ways, such as analysing crop health, detecting soil conditions, and identifying the presence of pests and diseases.
AI can also help farmers by assessing the carbon content of soil, providing detailed soil health reports, monitoring atmospheric humidity, and predicting future crop yields based on historical data.
The use of AI in farming is expected to provide a number of benefits. For instance, it could lead to improved crop yields by enabling farmers to monitor and respond to crop health in real-time.
Additionally, AI could reduce the need for excessive chemical fertilisers and pesticides, which would not only save costs but also have a positive environmental impact. Labour costs could also be reduced by automating certain tasks, while harvesting efficiency could be significantly improved.
Furthermore, AI-driven systems could enhance disease control and optimise the entire supply chain, ultimately lowering overall agricultural costs.
Ajit Pawar also noted that the adoption of AI in agriculture will bring about a radical change, helping farmers deal with challenges more effectively. The proposed project is still in its early stages, with discussions focused on its technical and financial feasibility.
Pawar instructed the Agriculture Department to work closely with the Cooperation Department to explore the practicality of implementing this innovative technology in the state’s agricultural landscape.
In a state where agriculture plays a crucial role in sustaining the livelihoods of millions, the move to integrate AI is being seen as a progressive step forward.
By utilising AI technologies, the government aims to empower farmers with the tools they need to face the challenges of modern agriculture, increase their productivity, and reduce their dependence on traditional and costly methods.
This project is expected to lay the foundation for a more sustainable and technologically advanced agricultural ecosystem in Maharashtra.
With AI at its core, the state hopes to witness a positive shift in the way farming operations are carried out, making them more efficient, profitable, and environmentally friendly.
Follow us
