Indian farmers are quietly ushering in a revolution, not with their traditional plows and bullocks, but with cutting-edge AI technology. Artificial Intelligence is no longer a distant dream or a mere buzzword; it has become a tangible reality for many farmers across the country. From predicting weather patterns to detecting crop diseases, AI tools are empowering farmers to make data-driven decisions, significantly enhancing their harvest production.
This surge in AI adoption is not accidental. It is actively encouraged by various government initiatives and the rise of innovative agri-tech startups. For instance, the ‘Kisan e-Mitra’ is an AI chatbot and multilingual assistant helping farmers resolve their queries about crops and government programs like the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi. Similarly, the National Pest Surveillance System, an AI-based platform, uses advanced data analysis to detect pest infestations, allowing for timely interventions and saving crops from widespread damage. These are not just pilot projects but widespread solutions creating a major shift in how rural India cultivates its future.
Krishna Bir Chaudhary, president of the Bharatiya Krishak Samaj, emphasizes the importance of these generative AI chatbots. “More and more farmers are turning to AI chatbots to stay updated on changing weather patterns, fighting pests, crop planning, and farm management,” he says. While the older generation of farmers is still getting accustomed to these AI apps, Chaudhary notes that usage has risen as younger farmers show increasing interest. “These AI chatbots are becoming essential for farmers, especially the younger generation. They want to gain knowledge and are downloading these AI apps that predict the weather, helping them track humidity, rainfall, and wind speed—all crucial for crop growth,” Chaudhary adds. Farmers are eager to learn and are currently using this information to prepare for the Kharif season and the monsoons.
When asked about the generational gap in adopting these AI tools, Chaudhary explained that while older farmers struggle with the technology, younger farmers are bridging the gap. “It’s not a challenge when young farmers are helping others. In many villages, young farmers learn about these AI apps and work with their parents to help them understand how this technology works, which eventually helps with their crop yields.”
AI in farming extends beyond chatbots. The technology has found its way into the open fields of Indian villages through drones. These aerial vehicles, equipped with sophisticated sensors and intelligent algorithms, serve as practical tools for identifying crop problems and making informed decisions for farmers.
One such initiative is the ‘Drone Didi’ program, which encourages women to take the lead in this AI-driven tech revolution. “In places like Palwal, Haryana, women are not only using drones on their own farms but are also helping others,” Chaudhary says.
Drones play a crucial role in detecting early signs of crop problems, such as nutrient deficiencies, water stress, or the initial stages of pest attacks or diseases. These signs are often too subtle for the human eye to catch. Thanks to this early warning system, farmers can act quickly and treat only the affected spots, avoiding the overuse of expensive fertilizers and pesticides, saving money, and protecting the environment.
In Punjab, for example, wheat farmers have started using drones for pesticide spraying. Drones that can identify and spray 10 acres in less than an hour have replaced manual labor that used to take days. Data from Vaimanika Aerospace shows these farmers used 20% less pesticide last year, reducing both expenses and the risk of chemical pollution in nearby water sources. Equipped with thermal sensors, these drones can identify areas with inadequate moisture, allowing farmers to implement targeted irrigation strategies, thereby conserving water, a precious resource in many parts of India.
However, the adoption of AI in farming is not without its challenges. Karamveer Singh, a farmer from Rasulpur village in Uttar Pradesh, regularly uses multiple AI chatbots, like Farmer Chat, to understand more about pest diseases and weather patterns. Singh points out that although every farmer wants to learn and own these AI tools, the reach is still limited. “A common farmer wants to learn, but not all are able to. Farmers who are slightly educated understand how this technology works and helps with the harvest, but a common farmer should have that facility too. I do, but we need to reach out to more such farmers every day; some are still set in their old ways,” Singh says. “AI has done wonders for me. I hope all farmers get to enjoy this,” he adds.
Singh’s experience highlights a significant challenge in using AI in farming. Many farmers are still hesitant to adopt new technologies because they don’t fully trust AI or are afraid of change. Others simply lack the skills needed to use AI tools properly. To address this issue, the government needs to provide strong support, including proper training