The agriculture sector in India can be transformed by promoting the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies, according to WEF. The Forum highlighted that its AI for Agriculture Innovation (AI4AI) initiative has helped over 7,000 chili farmers in Telangana to access agri-tech services in the first phase. In the pilot phase of the project, agri-tech services offered to the farmers include AI-based advisories, soil testing, produce quality testing, and e-commerce.
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While releasing the phase-1 report of the ‘Saagu Baagu’ being implemented by the Telangana government in collaboration with it, the World Economic Forum (WEF) said that the agriculture sector in India can be transformed by promoting the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies. In the Telugu language the term ‘Saagu Baagu’ refers to ‘agriculture advancement’.
In its report, WEF highlighted that its AI for Agriculture Innovation (AI4AI) initiative has helped over 7,000 chili farmers in the state, to access the agri-tech services in the first phase. In the pilot phase of the project, agri-tech services offered to the farmers include AI-based advisories, soil testing, produce quality testing, and e-commerce.
The WEF report stated that the AI4AI project is an example of agriculture value chain transformation. Its focus is on easing agri-tech services delivery to the end customer through administrative and policy support and digital public infrastructure. The digital public infrastructure includes ‘Agriculture Data Exchange’ and ‘Agritech Sandbox’.
The WEF report further noted that agriculture has evolved into a dynamic arena. It offers investment opportunities and innovative solutions that make it an attractive arena for ‘tech-savvy and entrepreneurial minds’.
Mr. Purushottam Kaushik, Head of the WEF’s Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution in India said, “Telangana’s experience highlights the need for governments to play an enabling role and consider non-financial yet high-impact areas to help scale agri-tech services. A focus on value chains is also needed to ensure efforts are focused, organized, and outcome-oriented.”
The Telangana state government plans to spread existing and additional agritech services in phase II to 20,000 chili and ground nut farmers in three districts. Phase II commences from 2023 onwards.
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