NPSS will provide regular correct pest management advisories and will promote Integrated Pest Management.
- It is under Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine & Storage (Ministry of Agriculture).
Need for NPSS:
- To effectively reduce farmers’ dependence on pesticide retailers & address overuse of pesticides.
- Pest attacks causes losses up to 20% in food production.
AI & Agriculture
Al can be used as viable solutions to address food inadequacy, climate change, low yield etc.
Applications of AI in Agriculture
- Diagnostic: Identifying water stress, pest and diseases infestation
- Prescriptive: Soil health analysis, prescription of fertilizer. E.g. SENSAGRI: SENsor based Smart AGRIculture”
- Advisory: Weather advisory, irrigation scheduling
- Predictive: Yield prediction, pest attack forecasting & early warning e.g. BharatAgri App
Challenges in adoption of AI in Indian Context
- Policy issues: incomprehensive data governance, rights, enforcement, regulations, etc.
- Farmers’ attitude: risk-aversion and resistance to change, lack of trust in technology.
- Marginalization and digital divide: Absence of enabling Digital infrastructure prevents smallholders from using advanced technologies.
- High Initial investment: poses a barrier for small-scale farmers
Way forward
- Continued investment in research & Infrastructure.
- Providing financial support and subsidies to Research Institute to develop region specific Al models and Application.
Initiatives for promoting AI in Agriculture
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