As world population in general and India population in particular continue to grow, providing food security to this growing population is a massive challenge. AI and ML can play a significant role in meeting those goals by enabling smart integrated farming, better crop optimization, soil conservation, green energy and weather prediction.

Drones and AI technology are being employed to monitor crop health, irrigation needs, and pest management in real time in many developed countries. Drones provide agricultural experts with valuable data so that timely decisions can be made and farming process can be optimized. Employing similar technology in Israel, farmers have experienced 40% reduction in water consumption, lower pesticide use and 70% increase in crop yields. AHRC is working to adapt similar technologies in the Indian context, including identification of problem areas, and discovery of matching AI solutions in the Indian context. AI based weather prediction yields better weather models further aiding India’s agriculture economy, whereas AI based carbon emission technology help foster a sustainable environment. AHRC is collaborating with agriculture depts of several US and Indian universities in finding AI based solutions to these challenges.