PROMOTION OF AI USE IN AGRICULTURE AND IMPACT ASSESSMENT

The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has launched AI‑driven projects under the Digital Agriculture Mission, including the National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS) used by over 10,000 extension workers for 73 crops and 436 pests, an AI‑based monsoon and weather advisory from the India Meteorological Department that has reached about 5.28 crore farmers, and BharatVistaar – a multilingual AI‑powered digital platform that has served over 3 lakh farmers and answered more than 72 lakh queries on schemes, advisories, prices and grievances. Funds allocated for digital agriculture (including AI) rose from ₹60 crore in 2022‑23 to ₹502.40 crore in 2026‑27, with utilization increasing correspondingly. No comprehensive impact assessment of these AI initiatives has been undertaken.